Arabic word sheet

خَيْرٌ

good; better

Meaning and usage

Anything good, useful or desirable, what everyone seeks. Said of a deed, of a quality or of a thing.

يُرِيدُ الْأَبُ الْخَيْرَ لِأَوْلَادِهِ.

The father wants what is good for his children.

Used to compare: "better than" or, before a noun, "the best of". Said of people and of things alike.

هذَا الْكِتَابُ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذَاكَ.

This book is better than that one.

Used to describe someone: a good person, one in whom there is much good.

الْجَارُ رَجُلٌ خَيْرٌ.

The neighbour is a good man.

The state of someone for whom all is well: prosperity, good health, a happy condition.

الْأُسْرَةُ بِخَيْرٍ الْيَوْمَ.

The family is well today.

What the root means خ ي ر

The root carries the idea of what is good and of what one prefers. From it come the good person, the act of choosing, choice, and the pick of a lot.

good, kind-hearted

خَيِّرٌ

to choose

اِخْتَارَ

choice, choosing

اِخْتِيَارٌ

the pick of something; freedom to choose

خِيَارٌ

to give a choice

خَيَّرَ

to pick out

تَخَيَّرَ

better, more excellent

أَفْضَلُ

It only compares and stresses merit, whereas the headword also names good itself.

evil, harm; worse

شَرٌّ