Quranic root
نصف
n · ṣ · f
The root centers on the division of a whole into two equal parts, with a related lexical line concerning parity, equitable dealing, and reciprocal service.
The half-branch extends to reaching or becoming halfway, a midpoint, and things reduced or made half-ripe. The service branch develops into rendering or seeking another's due and acting equitably.
- Maqāyīs · row 4651
- Mufradāt · row 1449
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 7
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
نِصْف
niṣf
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 7 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.
One of two equal parts; half of a whole.
In Quranic usage, it denotes an allotted half in inheritance or marital compensation and half of a period such as the night; it may occur with a possessive or governing phrase.
- Mufradāt · row 1449
Selected Quran examples
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:237فَنِصْفُthen (give) half
- 4:11ٱلنِّصْفُ ۚ(is) half
- 4:12نِصْفُ(is) half
- 4:25نِصْفُ(is) half
- 4:176نِصْفُ(is) a half
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 18 Classical meanings
النِّصْف
Equity or fair dealing.
A classical non-quantitative use distinct from the meaning “half.”
- Maqāyīs · row 4651
أَنْصَفَ
To act equitably toward someone; to give or secure that person's due, including by obtaining it from another.
The person from whom the due is obtained may be introduced with مِنْ.
- Lane · entry 32239
إِنْصَاف
The giving or rendering of what is right or due; equity in dealings.
It may describe reciprocal dealing in which benefits and harms are not taken or imposed beyond what is reciprocated.
- Lane · entry 32239
- Mufradāt · row 1449
اِنْتَصَفَ
To exact or obtain one's full due from another, so that the parties stand on an equal footing.
The construction may specify the person from whom the due is obtained with مِنْهُ.
- Lane · entry 32240
اِنْتَصَفَ
To become halved or reach the halfway point.
Classically said especially of the daytime when it has reached its midpoint.
- Lane · entry 32240
- Mufradāt · row 1449
اِسْتِنْصَاف
Seeking equity or the rendering of one's due.
A conventional verbal noun for requesting or pursuing fair treatment.
- Mufradāt · row 1449
نَصَفَ
To reach or extend to the halfway point of something.
Attested of the daytime reaching its midpoint and of a garment reaching halfway along the leg.
- Mufradāt · row 1449
- Maqāyīs · row 4651
نَصَف
A place midway between two places; a midpoint or equidistant location.
- Lane · entry 32242
نَصَف
A middle-aged person, between youth and old age.
Classical estimates in the evidence place this stage at roughly forty-five or fifty years of age.
- Lane · entry 32242
النِّصْف
In a cooking expression, reduced by boiling until half of a beverage has evaporated.
Used in the expression عَلَى النِّصْفِ of wine or another beverage.
- Lane · entry 32241
- Mufradāt · row 1449
نَصِيف
A measure understood as half of a larger measure.
- Mufradāt · row 1449
نَصِيف
A woman's muffler or head covering.
- Lane · entry 32243
- Mufradāt · row 1449
مَنْصَف
The midpoint of a road or route.
Used in the expression مَنْصَفُ الطريقِ, the halfway point of the road.
- Mufradāt · row 1449
مُنَصَّف
Juice, wine, or another beverage reduced by cooking until half has evaporated.
- Lane · entry 32245
- Mufradāt · row 1449
مَنَاصِف
A date that is not wholly ripe; half-ripe.
Applied specifically to dates in the cited lexical usage.
- Lane · entry 32246
أَنْصَافُ اللَّبَن
Half-bricks or cut bricks used beside whole bricks in building.
The cut bricks are placed beside whole bricks, especially for ornamental arrangement.
- Lane · entry 32247
النَّصَفَة
Reciprocal service in which a servant renders what he owes in exchange for the benefit he receives.
Used in a service relationship involving an exchange of obligations and benefits.
- Mufradāt · row 1449
- Maqāyīs · row 4651
نَاصِف
A servant who renders what he owes in exchange for the benefit he receives.
The plural cited for this use is نُصُف.
- Mufradāt · row 1449
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The QAC separates the seven occurrences into a six-occurrence nominal group and a one-occurrence T-tag group; both are presented under the normalized lexical noun نِصْف because the supplied form and context have the meaning “half.”