Quranic root
نطق
n · ṭ · q
The root has two established lexical axes: speech or meaning-bearing expression, and a band or garment encircling the waist.
The speech axis extends from vocal utterance to intelligible communication, including understood animal sounds, written testimony, and philosophical notions of rational speech. The separate clothing axis yields terms for belts, girdles, and related bands.
- Maqāyīs · row 4668
- 3
- Quran-attested forms
- 4
- Quran senses
- 12
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
نَطَقَ
naṭaqa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 9 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, utter, or articulate sounds or words.
The Quranic occurrences include ordinary speech and contexts denying idols or other entities the capacity to speak. With بِهِ, the verb can mean to pronounce or articulate an object. Animal attribution is normally qualified or figurative in the general lexical usage.
- Lane · entry 32269
- Mufradāt · row 1455
Selected Quran examples
To communicate or testify through a non-vocal medium; of a record, to express its contents as truth.
In the Quranic record-related construction, the record is described as speaking although its message is perceived by reading rather than hearing.
- Mufradāt · row 1455
Selected Quran examples
Quran 45:29word 3
“speaks”
Quran 23:62word 8
“(which) speaks”
أَنْطَقَ
ʾanṭaqa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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 make someone or something speak; to cause it to give audible or intelligible testimony.
In the Quranic construction, body parts are made to speak. The lexical discussion records both an audible interpretation and an interpretation in which their testimony is understood as meaningful evidence.
- Mufradāt · row 1455
Selected Quran examples
Quran 41:21word 10
“makes speak”
مَنْطِقٌ
manṭiqun
- Part of speech
- 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.
Speech or language; intelligible vocal expression.
In the Quranic occurrence, the expression refers to the vocalizations or language of birds insofar as they are understood by Solomon.
- Mufradāt · row 1455
Selected Quran examples
Quran 27:16word 8
“(the) language”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 21:63يَنطِقُونَspeak
- 21:65يَنطِقُونَ(can) speak
- 23:62يَنطِقُ(which) speaks
- 27:16مَنطِقَ(the) language
- 27:85يَنطِقُونَspeak
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 16 Classical meanings
نُطْقٌ
The human faculty underlying speech and reason; in philosophical terminology, the rational faculty.
A technical usage distinguished from the ordinary act of uttering speech.
- Mufradāt · row 1455
نَاطَقَ
To converse or discourse with someone.
Form III, commonly followed by بِ before the subject of discussion.
- Lane · entry 32270
تَنَاطَقَ
To converse mutually or talk with one another.
A reciprocal Form VI construction.
- Lane · entry 32271
اِسْتَنْطَقَ
To seek to make someone speak; to question or interrogate someone until he speaks.
Form X expressing the attempt or desire to elicit speech.
- Lane · entry 32272
نِطَاقٌ
A bar of a door; also the Belt of Orion.
The astronomical use is a conventional name for the belt-like stellar group.
- Lane · entry 32273
نِطَاقَةٌ
A ticket or label indicating a price or weight.
A specialized nominal usage, cross-referenced in the lexical source with بِطَاقَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 32274
نَاطِقٌ
Vocal or singing; applied to singing birds.
An active-participle adjective describing vocal production.
- Lane · entry 32275
نَاطِقٌ
A technical epithet applied to a dīnār.
The evidence records the epithet without supplying a fuller explanation of the coin terminology.
- Lane · entry 32275
نَاطِقٌ
Rational; in technical usage, applied to a rational root in arithmetic or to a rational animal.
These are specialized applications of the adjective, including philosophical and mathematical terminology.
- Lane · entry 32275
نَاطِقِيَّةٌ
Rationality.
A technical abstract noun derived from نَاطِقٌ.
- Lane · entry 32276
مَنْطِقٌ
Speech, diction, or the expression of ideas and meanings through voice and words.
This broader Classical usage is distinct from the specifically Quranic reference to the language of birds.
- Lane · entry 32277
مِنْطَقَةٌ
A girdle, zone, or waist-belt fastened around the waist with a clasp or buckle.
The belt may be worn by men or women and may be ornamented.
- Lane · entry 32278
مِنْطِيقٌ
Eloquent or capable in speech; an able speaker.
An intensive descriptive form concerning speaking ability.
- Lane · entry 32279
مُنْتَطِقٌ
In a reported interpretation of a poetic usage, one who leads a horse beside himself rather than riding it.
This is a disputed interpretation of a particular poetic expression, not a Quranic meaning.
- Maqāyīs · row 4668
- Mufradāt · row 1455
مُنْتَطِقٌ
In a reported interpretation, one who has fastened or wears a belt.
This reading belongs to the clothing branch of the root and is preserved as an interpretation of a poetic expression.
- Maqāyīs · row 4668
- Mufradāt · row 1455
مُنْتَطِقٌ
In a reported poetic interpretation, one who speaks excellently.
A contextual interpretation of a poetic expression, closely related to eloquent speech but attached to this derived form.
- Maqāyīs · row 4668
- Mufradāt · row 1455
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic Form IV passage concerning body parts being made to speak has both an audible-speech interpretation and an interpretation as meaningful testimony; the listed sense preserves both without deciding between them.
The meanings assigned to مُنْتَطِقٌ from the poetic evidence are reported and disputed interpretations, not Quranic senses.