Quranic root
دنو
d · n · w
The root centers on nearness: being close, drawing near, or bringing something near. Its comparative extensions describe what is nearer, lower, less, or more suitable.
Concrete spatial proximity extends to temporal, relational, and figurative closeness. The feminine comparative دُنْيَا develops the conventional sense of the present or nearer world, contrasted with the hereafter.
- Mufradāt · row 487
- 5
- Quran-attested forms
- 10
- Quran senses
- 133
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
دَنَا
danā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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.
To draw near or approach.
Used of physical, spatial, temporal, or otherwise apprehensible approach; the Quran includes an approach expressed without a direct object.
- Lane · entry 1393
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 53:8word 2
“he approached”
To bring or draw something near; to draw it down toward or over someone.
A transitive construction; in the Quranic clothing expression, it denotes drawing part of an outer garment down over the body.
- Lane · entry 1396
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 33:59word 8
“to draw”
أَدْنَى
ʾadnā
- Part of speech
- Adjective / comparative
- Quran occurrences
- 12 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.
Nearer or nearest; closer in place, relation, time, or degree.
A comparative or superlative adjective, opposed to أَقْصَى in spatial or relational comparison and used more broadly for what is closer.
- Lane · entry 1411
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 30:3word 2
“(the) nearest”
More suitable, more apt, or more likely to achieve the intended result.
A figurative comparative of closeness: what is nearer to the desired or appropriate outcome.
- Lane · entry 1411
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 33:51word 17
“(is) more suitable”
Less or smaller in amount, number, or degree.
Used in comparison with what is greater or more; the Quran applies it to a lesser punishment and to a smaller amount of recitation.
- Lane · entry 1411
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 73:20word 6
“(a little) less”
Lower, inferior, worse, or of lesser worth.
Opposed to خير or to what is better; it may be substantivized for what is lower or inferior, including the lower worldly life.
- Lane · entry 1411
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:61word 27
“(is) inferior”
Quran 7:169word 10
“the lower (life)”
دَانٍ
dānin
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Near, close, or within reach.
Active participle of دَنَا; in the Quran it describes something brought near or hanging within reach.
- Lane · entry 1410
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 55:54word 9
“(is) near”
دَانِيَة
dāniyah
- Part of speech
- Active participle · feminine
- Quran occurrences
- 3 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.
Near, close, or hanging low within reach.
Feminine active participle of دَنَا; used of vegetation, fruit, or other things situated conveniently near.
- Lane · entry 1410
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
دُنْيَا
dunyā
- Part of speech
- Adjective / noun
- Quran occurrences
- 115 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.
The nearer, nearest, or lowest of two or more things.
The feminine comparative may be used attributively or substantively; in the Quran it describes the nearer bank and the nearest or lowest heaven.
- Lane · entry 1411
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:42word 4
“the nearer”
Quran 67:5word 4
“nearest”
The present world or worldly life, including its worldly enjoyments and prosperity.
A conventional noun contrasted with الْآخِرَةُ, the world to come; it may refer to the present state of existence or to its benefits.
- Lane · entry 1411
- Mufradāt · row 487
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:23word 18
“(of) the world”
Quran 12:101word 16
“the world”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:61أَدْنَىٰ(is) inferior
- 2:85ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ(of) the world
- 2:86ٱلدُّنْيَا(of) the world
- 2:114ٱلدُّنْيَاthe world
- 2:130ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖthe world
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 22 Classical meanings
دَنَا
To be near in kinship; to be related or closely connected by family.
The noun دَنَاوَةٌ may denote kinship or close relationship.
- Lane · entry 1393
دَنِىَ
To be weak, contemptible, ignoble, unprofitable, or deficient in what one undertakes.
A distinct adjective/verb branch from the root, describing low standing, weakness, or poor performance.
- Lane · entry 1393
دَنَّىَ
To bring words close together; in a reported eating directive, to eat what is nearest or immediately before one.
Includes the conventional directive to eat from what lies nearest to the eater.
- Lane · entry 1394
دَنَّىَ
To pursue small, paltry, or contemptible matters.
A derived Form II usage concerning the choice or pursuit of mean or insignificant things.
- Lane · entry 1394
دَنَّىَ
To become weak.
A specialized Form II usage recorded as synonymous with ضَعُفَ.
- Lane · entry 1394
دَانَىَ
To draw near to undertaking or experiencing an affair or event.
The object is an affair, event, or undertaking rather than a person or physical object.
- Lane · entry 1395
دَانَىَ
To tighten or contract a pair of hobbles; to bring two matters close together or make them connected.
Used both of tightening the two parts of a camel's hobbles and of making events nearly continuous or connected.
- Lane · entry 1395
أَدْنَى
To be near to giving birth.
A specialized intransitive use applied to a pregnant woman or she-camel.
- Lane · entry 1396
أَدْنَى
To live a strait or restricted life after ease and abundance.
A specialized Form IV usage describing a change from prosperity to constrained circumstances.
- Lane · entry 1396
تَدَنَّى
To draw near or approach gradually, little by little.
The Form V derivation emphasizes gradual progression toward nearness.
- Lane · entry 1397
تَدَانَى
To draw near to one another.
A reciprocal Form VI construction with mutual subjects.
- Lane · entry 1398
تَدَانَى
To draw together or contract.
Used of a thing or things becoming gathered, shortened, or contracted.
- Lane · entry 1398
تَدَانَى
Of a man's camels, to become few and weak.
A specialized collective use applied to a herd whose number or condition has diminished.
- Lane · entry 1398
اِسْتَدْنَى
To seek, desire, or demand nearness; to seek to make someone approach or to cause someone to draw near.
The Form X construction may express either seeking nearness or causing another to approach.
- Lane · entry 1400
دِنْىٍ
Closely related or near in kinship.
Used in kinship expressions such as a near paternal or maternal cousin or other close relation.
- Lane · entry 1402
دُنْيَاوِيٌّ
Worldly; pertaining to the present world or present state of existence.
A relational adjective formed from دُنْيَا.
- Lane · entry 1407
دَنِيٌّ
Near or closely attached; a close, sincere, or particular friend.
The word can denote either proximity or the closeness of a trusted personal relationship.
- Lane · entry 1408
دَنِيٌّ
Weak or contemptible; of low standing.
A separate adjectival branch from the sense of nearness; some authorities distinguish this form from دَنِىءٌ.
- Lane · entry 1408
دَنِيَّةٌ
A low or base quality, disposition, practice, or action; disgrace.
Used of a blameworthy condition or conduct, including what one would prefer death to endure.
- Lane · entry 1409
أَدْنَى
Former, first, foremost, or frontmost.
A classical comparative extension opposed to what is later, last, or farther behind; it can describe the forepart of an object.
- Lane · entry 1411
مُدْنٍ
Near to giving birth.
A specialized active-participial use applied to a she-camel or a woman.
- Lane · entry 1412
مُدَنٍّ
Weak, contemptible, unprofitable, or falling short of what one ought to accomplish.
A derived participial adjective describing deficient ability, worth, or performance.
- Lane · entry 1413
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The QAC packet places the Quranic يُدْنِينَ occurrence in the دَنَا Form I group, while the supplied lexical discussion treats the transitive garment-drawing construction under أَدْنَى/Form IV; the public form follows QAC identity and records the constructional sense explicitly.