Quranic root
أوه
ʾ · w · h
An expressive vocalization of pain, grief, or feeling, reflected in the exclamation “Ah!” and extended to repeated moaning, compassion, and earnest supplication.
The evidence treats this as an expressive word rather than a root yielding a general analogical principle. Its semantic development runs from the exclamation and moan to the descriptive epithet أَوَّاه for one marked by compassion or devotional pleading.
- Maqāyīs · row 172
- Mufradāt · row 63
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
أَوَّاه
ʾawwāh
- Part of speech
- Noun · descriptive epithet
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Compassionate and tender-hearted; moved by pity for others.
A Quranic descriptive epithet for a person characterized by compassionate concern. It accounts for the compassionate interpretation of the form in the passage concerning Abraham.
- Lane · entry 7536
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:114word 21
“(was) compassionate”
One who earnestly supplicates God; imploring and devout in prayer.
A Quranic devotional use, including the interpretation of أَوَّاهٌ مُنِيبٌ as a believing supplicant. The sense emphasizes persistent, humble calling upon God rather than a mere vocal expression of pain.
- Lane · entry 7536
- Mufradāt · row 63
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:75word 4
“imploring”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 8 Classical meanings
تَأَوَّهَ
To moan, utter a prolonged complaint, or express pain and distress.
A Form V verb; equivalent in the cited lexical discussion to expressing or experiencing pain.
- Lane · entry 7532
أَوَّاه
A person who frequently says “Ah!” or moans, especially in grief, sorrow, lamentation, or complaint.
This is the person-denoting extension of the exclamation. The utterance may also arise from affection, pity, compassion, or impatience; those illustrative motives do not impose an object-class restriction.
- Lane · entry 7536
آهِ / أَوْهِ
An exclamation meaning “Ah!” or “alas!”, expressing pain, grief, sorrow, lamentation, complaint, or moaning.
It may be used with مِنْ, لِ, or عَلَى to indicate the cause or object of the complaint. It can also express pity, compassion, or impatience.
- Lane · entry 7533
آهِ / أَوْهِ
A cry addressed to horses to make them return.
This is a specialized imperative-like animal call, distinct from the exclamation expressing human grief.
- Lane · entry 7533
آهَة
A moan or act of moaning; also an imprecation wishing moaning upon someone.
The noun may stand for the verbal action of moaning and occurs in the imprecatory expression آهَةً لَكَ or its variant أَوَّةً لَكَ.
- Lane · entry 7534
آهَة
Measles.
A rare technical usage attested in an imprecation pairing measles with smallpox.
- Lane · entry 7534
أَوَّاه
One frequent in prayer, praise, or glorification of God, or one who often invites to what is good; also reported for a believer or a person skilled in religious law.
These are broader Classical Arabic devotional and descriptive extensions of the epithet, distinct from the specifically Quran-attested compassionate and supplicating uses listed above.
- Lane · entry 7536
مُتَأَوِّه
One who says “Ah!” or “alas!”, or who abases himself in earnest supplication.
A participial description of a person characterized by moaning or humble supplication.
- Lane · entry 7540
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
Lane's printed Quran references use historical citation notation and are not treated as modern surah:ayah locations; the examples here use the independently supplied QAC locations.
The supplied contextual renderings vary between “compassionate” and “imploring.” The broader meaning of frequent moaning is retained as Classical Arabic evidence rather than assigned as a separate Quranic sense because the packet does not securely tie that interpretation to a specific supplied QAC occurrence.