Quranic root
كلم
k · l · m
The root has two principal branches: intelligible speech and physical wounding. The Quranic vocabulary chiefly develops the speech branch.
The speech branch extends from meaningful utterance to the word, statement, discourse, and divine pronouncement; the other branch denotes a wound or perceptible injury. A rare, tentative usage also applies كَلَامٌ to rough or hard ground.
- Maqāyīs · row 4028
- Mufradāt · row 1265
- 5
- Quran-attested forms
- 7
- Quran senses
- 75
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
كَلَّمَ
kallama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- Quran occurrences
- 20 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 speak to, address, or communicate verbally with someone.
The Quran uses the form for direct or mediated address, including divine speaking to a human being. Its passive occurrence describes someone being spoken to; this is a voice variation of the same lexical action.
- Mufradāt · row 1265
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:143word 5
“and spoke to him”
Quran 2:174word 21
“will speak to them”
Quran 13:31word 12
“could be made to speak”
تَكَلَّمَ
takallama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- Quran occurrences
- 4 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 speak or utter speech.
The Quranic Form V use presents the subject as speaking; the object or addressee may be supplied by context rather than by the verb itself.
- Lane · entry 32927
Selected Quran examples
Quran 24:16word 9
“we speak”
Quran 78:38word 7
“they will speak”
كَلَامٌ
kalāmun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 4 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.
Speech, spoken words, or discourse, including the meaning conveyed by an utterance.
In Quranic usage it can denote words or speech attributed to God, as well as speech that is heard, transmitted, or referred to collectively. The noun may cover a saying or discourse rather than only a single word.
- Lane · entry 32930
- Mufradāt · row 1265
Selected Quran examples
كَلِمَةٌ
kalimahun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 46 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.
An intelligible expression or proposition: a word, saying, sentence, assertion, or expressed opinion.
The singular denotes one expression or statement; the merged plural forms denote multiple words or statements. The Quran also uses the noun for a complete expressed proposition rather than merely an isolated lexical word.
- Lane · entry 32929
- Mufradāt · row 1265
Selected Quran examples
Quran 14:24word 7
“a word”
Quran 2:37word 5
“words”
A divinely established pronouncement, promise, command, judgment, or decree.
In constructions such as “the word of your Lord” or “the word of punishment,” the noun refers to an enacted divine determination, promise, revealed decision, or binding outcome, not necessarily to a single spoken utterance.
- Mufradāt · row 1265
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:33word 3
“(the) Word”
Quran 6:115word 2
“(the) word”
The “Word” as a designation of Jesus, associated with his coming into being by God’s command and with the guidance conveyed through him.
This specialized Quranic usage occurs in the expression describing Jesus as a word from God and as His word cast to Mary.
- Mufradāt · row 1265
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:45word 8
“of a word”
Quran 4:171word 20
“and His word”
تَكْلِيمٌ
taklīmun
- Part of speech
- Verbal noun
- 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.
Speaking to someone; direct verbal address or communication.
The Quran uses the verbal noun for divine speaking to a human being, especially in the construction describing God’s modes of communicating with human beings.
- Mufradāt · row 1265
- Lane · entry 32930
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:164word 14
“(in a) conversation”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:37كَلِمَـٰتٍۢwords
- 2:75كَلَـٰمَ(the) words
- 2:118يُكَلِّمُنَاspeaks to us
- 2:124بِكَلِمَـٰتٍۢwith words
- 2:174يُكَلِّمُهُمُwill speak to them
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 9 Classical meanings
كَالَمَ
To converse with, address, or speak with another person.
A Form III reciprocal or interactive construction, distinct from the ordinary intransitive Form V use.
- Lane · entry 32926
تَكَلَّمَ
To speak on behalf of someone, or to express something for him.
A specialized Classical use of the Form V verb; it is kept separate from the Quranic general sense of speaking.
- Lane · entry 32927
تَكَالَمَ
To speak, talk, or discourse with one another.
A reciprocal Form VI construction in which the participants speak to each other.
- Lane · entry 32928
كَلْمٌ
A wound or perceptible physical injury; wounds collectively.
This belongs to the root’s distinct injury branch rather than the speech branch; the effect of the injury is treated as perceptible, especially visually.
- Maqāyīs · row 4028
- Mufradāt · row 1265
كَلَامٌ
Rough or hard ground.
A rare and explicitly tentative Classical usage reported in the root discussion.
- Maqāyīs · row 4028
كُلْيَةٌ
A part or opening of a bow, and a corresponding part of a waterskin.
The supplied lexical evidence records these as separate object-specific uses of this headword.
- Lane · entry 32932
كِلِّيمٌ
A loquacious, articulate, or eloquent person.
Used as a personal description, especially in the expression for an articulate man.
- Lane · entry 32931
عِلْمُ الكَلَامِ
Muslim theological science concerning God’s being and attributes, creation and restitution, and related doctrinal questions.
A technical compound meaning, distinct from ordinary speech or discourse.
- Lane · entry 32930
مُتَكَلِّمٌ
A Muslim theologian or practitioner of the science of kalām.
A technical personal noun derived from the theological meaning of علم الكلام.
- Lane · entry 32933
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The evidence distinguishes the speech and wound branches of كلم; they should not be treated as one semantic development.
Interpretations of Quranic كلمة in divine constructions include revelation, promise, command, decree, judgment, and established outcome; these are grouped under one constructional sense rather than asserted as a single exclusive referent.
The supplied Lane supplement includes كُلْيَةٌ under this root record; it is retained under its own headword and object-specific meaning rather than being assimilated to the speech vocabulary.