Quranic root
حين
ḥ · y · n
The root centers on time: an interval or point at which something arrives, occurs, or becomes due.
From this temporal basis come meanings involving the approach of an appointed time, assigning or awaiting intervals, and specialized expressions for duration, contracting, and recurring schedules. Death, destruction, and affliction are also connected by the notion of an appointed time arriving.
- Maqāyīs · row 1495
- Mufradāt · row 379
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 35
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
حِين
ḥīn
- Part of speech
- Noun · temporal adverbial use
- Quran occurrences
- 35 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.
A time or period; the time at which something arrives, occurs, becomes due, or is attained.
The word is deliberately broad as to duration: context may make it a brief moment, a recurring interval, an appointed term, the time of an event or death, or an indefinite period. In temporal constructions, حِينَ may mean “when” or “at the time that”; حِينَئِذٍ means “at that time,” and لا تَحِينَ / لاتَ حِينَ expresses that it is not the time for something.
- Lane · entry 16397
- Mufradāt · row 379
Selected Quran examples
Quran 76:1word 5
“a period”
Quran 37:148word 4
“a while”
Quran 14:25word 4
“time”
Quran 30:17word 3
“when”
Quran 38:3word 9
“time”
Quran 56:84word 2
“(at) that time”
Quran 39:42word 4
“(at the) time”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:36حِينٍۢa period
- 2:177وَحِينَand (the) time
- 5:101حِينَwhen
- 5:106حِينَ(at the) time (of making)
- 7:24حِينٍۢa time
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 20 Classical meanings
حَانَ
To come due, draw near, or become at hand, especially of a time, season, or event.
The approach of prayer, reaping, or another expected occasion may be expressed in this way.
- Lane · entry 16390
حَانَ
To die or perish.
This is a verbal use distinct from the noun حَيْنٌ meaning death or destruction.
- Lane · entry 16390
حَانَ
To undergo a trial or trying affliction.
A rare Classical Arabic usage reported as a lexical meaning.
- Lane · entry 16390
حَانَ
To be unaccommodated, maladjusted, or not disposed toward the right course or direction.
This meaning concerns a state of improper adaptation or disposition, not the approach of a time.
- Lane · entry 16390
حَانَ
To happen or come about.
A distinct Classical synonymic use equivalent to occurrence or happening.
- Lane · entry 16390
حَيَّنَ
To assign or appoint a time for someone or something.
The appointment may be a recurring interval, including a fixed time for milking a she-camel.
- Lane · entry 16391
حَيَّنَ
To render someone or something unaccommodated, maladjusted, or not disposed toward the right course.
A transitive counterpart to the corresponding intransitive Classical use.
- Lane · entry 16391
مُحَايَنَةٌ / حِيَانٌ
Contracting, bargaining, or hiring for a specified period.
Used of arranging work, service, or employment for a defined duration.
- Lane · entry 16392
أَحَانَ
For time, including a long time, to pass over someone or something; to endure or continue for a period.
A Form IV duration or continuance use.
- Lane · entry 16393
أَحْيَنَ
To remain, stay, abide, or dwell for a time.
The meaning describes residence or continuance at a place for a period.
- Lane · entry 16393
أَحْيَنَ
For the time to come or draw near for an expected activity or attainment.
Recorded of the time for camels to be milked or loaded, and of the time when people attain what they seek.
- Lane · entry 16393
أَحَانَ
To cause someone to die or to destroy someone or something.
A transitive Form IV causative use.
- Lane · entry 16393
أَحَانَ
To try someone or afflict them with a trial.
A transitive Form IV use distinct from causing death or destruction.
- Lane · entry 16393
تَحَيَّنَ
To watch for, await, or seek the appropriate time for something.
Includes watching for an opportunity, waiting for food or a person, and seeking the proper time for prayer.
- Lane · entry 16394
تَحَيَّنَ
To dispense with something or become self-sufficient.
A rare usage explicitly characterized as vulgar in the lexical source.
- Lane · entry 16394
حَيْنٌ
Death, destruction, or perdition; the appointed term or time of death.
This diphthongal noun is distinct from حِينٌ meaning time.
- Lane · entry 16396
حَيْنٌ
A trial or trying affliction.
A distinct noun meaning separate from حَيْنٌ in the sense of death or destruction.
- Lane · entry 16396
حِينَةٌ
A scheduled time or interval; especially a recurring once-daily milking or eating occasion, and by repetition an occasional time.
The lexical examples include a she-camel's once-daily milking, a person's once-daily meal, and the expression time after time or occasionally.
- Lane · entry 16400
حَائِنٌ
Stupid, foolish, or deficient in intellect or understanding.
An adjectival usage.
- Lane · entry 16406
حَائِنَةٌ
A deadly or destructive calamity that befalls someone.
A calamity characterized by death or destruction; its plural is حَوَائِنُ.
- Lane · entry 16407
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
حِين is intentionally represented by one Quranic sense: “time,” “period,” “when,” “appointed term,” and “at that time” reflect contextual specification or temporal construction rather than separate lexical roots.
Lane records related Form IV material with variant spellings such as أَحَانَ and أَحْيَنَ; the Classical entries preserve the distinctions supported by the individual passages.