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Quranic root

حيث

ḥ · y · th

A vague, indefinite place-denoting adverbial expression whose location is normally specified by a following clause.

The basic locative expression extends, with ما, to the conditional sense “wherever” and, in later technical usage, to relational, causal, and resultative constructions.

  • Maqāyīs · row 1484
  • Mufradāt · row 372
  • Lane · entry 16284
1
Quran-attested forms
2
Quran senses
31
Quran occurrences

Forms in the Quran

The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.

حَيْثُ

ḥaythu

Part of speech
Adverbial noun · locative and conditional use
Quran occurrences
31 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.

  1. An indefinite adverbial noun of place: where, at the place where, or in whatever place.

    Normally followed by a nominal or verbal clause that identifies the location. It may occur after مِنْ or another preposition, occupy an adverbial or objective position, and participate in a correlative construction meaning “where X is, there Y is.”

    • Lane · entry 16284
    • Mufradāt · row 372
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 2:149word 2

    “wherever”

    Quran 12:68word 4

    “where”

  2. In the construction حَيْثُمَا or حَيْثُ مَا, wherever or in whatever place.

    The accompanying ما gives the expression conditional force. In Classical grammatical usage, the construction may govern the following verbs in the jussive; a reported analysis also allows the related temporal sense “whenever.”

    • Lane · entry 16284
    • Mufradāt · row 372
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 2:144word 15

    “and wherever”

Occurrences in the Quran

Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.

  • 2:35حَيْثُ(from) wherever
  • 2:58حَيْثُwherever
  • 2:144وَحَيْثُand wherever
  • 2:149حَيْثُwherever
  • 2:150حَيْثُwherever
View all 31 occurrences

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 4 Classical meanings

  • حَيْثُ

    When or whenever, as a temporal adverbial expression.

    A less common Classical usage reported by some grammarians; it is distinct from the ordinary locative use and is not assigned here to a Quranic occurrence.

    • Lane · entry 16284

  • مِنْ حَيْثُ

    As to, in respect of; considered as or merely as.

    A scientific and post-Classical prepositional construction used to specify the aspect or consideration under which something is being discussed.

    • Lane · entry 16284

  • مِنْ حَيْثُ

    Since or because.

    A post-Classical explanatory construction, especially مِنْ حَيْثُ إِنَّ...; بِحَيْثُ is also reported with this causal force in less formal usage.

    • Lane · entry 16284

  • بِحَيْثُ

    So that; so as to; in such a state or condition that.

    A post-Classical resultative or consequential construction, often used to express the resulting state or outcome of an action.

    • Lane · entry 16284

Cautions

Points that affect how this root should be read.

  • The QAC N, LOC, and COND analyses are merged under the single citation form حَيْثُ; the conditional analysis is represented as a constructional sense.

  • Lane records variant vocalizations including حَيْثَ, حَيْثِ, and حَوْثُ. The public headword follows the Quranic form حَيْثُ.