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B1 verb #7,500 most common 9 min read

يَبْسُط

yabsut
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips يَبْسُط in 30 Seconds
Explanation يَبْسُط in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'yabsuṭ' as a simple action word. It means 'to spread out' something physical. Think of a big piece of paper or a rug. When you want to show someone a map, you spread it on the table. In Arabic, we say 'yabsuṭ'. It is a verb for things you can touch. You can imagine a mother spreading a blanket for her baby. The word is easy to remember if you think of 'making something flat'. You might not use it every day, but it is useful for describing simple household chores or actions in a shop. Focus on the present tense: 'Ana absuṭ' (I spread), 'Huwa yabsuṭ' (He spreads).
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'yabsuṭ' in more varied sentences. You might describe a picnic: 'We spread the cloth on the grass.' You can also use it for body parts, like 'spreading the hands.' This is often used in stories to show someone is surprised or welcoming. You should also recognize the past tense 'basaṭa'. For example, 'The merchant spread the carpet.' You are moving beyond just the word itself to using it with objects like 'sajjada' (carpet), 'khariṭa' (map), and 'thawb' (garment). It's a great word to add to your vocabulary for describing physical scenes and actions clearly.
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At the B1 level, you should understand both the physical and the basic metaphorical meanings of 'yabsuṭ'. You will see it in news articles or books to describe 'spreading control' or 'extending power.' You also learn that it relates to the word 'basīṭ' (simple). To spread something out is to make it simple and clear. You can use it to describe an explanation: 'The teacher spreads the lesson,' meaning he explains it clearly and in detail. You should also be comfortable with the grammar, knowing that the present tense is 'yabsuṭu' and the root is B-S-T. This is the level where you start to see the word in the Quran or in formal speeches regarding God's provision (rizq).
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'yabsuṭ' with precision, distinguishing it from 'yanshuru' (to publish/broadcast) or 'yamuddu' (to extend). You should be able to use it in professional or academic contexts. For instance, you might 'yabsuṭ' a theory in a presentation, meaning you are laying out the components of the theory for the audience to see. You should also understand the cultural nuances, such as 'basṭ al-wajh' (having a cheerful face). Your sentences should become more complex, using the verb in different moods and with various prepositions to change the meaning slightly, such as 'reaching out' to someone in a figurative sense.
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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the rhetorical and literary depth of 'yabsuṭ'. You will encounter it in classical poetry and advanced theological texts. You should understand the philosophical contrast between 'Basṭ' (Expansion) and 'Qabḍ' (Contraction). In this context, 'yabsuṭ' refers to a state of spiritual openness or a period of abundance in history. You should be able to use the word in high-level writing to describe the unfolding of complex social phenomena or the expansive nature of an empire's influence. Your understanding should include the active participle 'Bāsiṭ' and how it functions as an attribute in various contexts, including its divine connotations.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'yabsuṭ' and its entire word family. You can detect the subtle irony or poetic weight when a writer chooses 'yabsuṭ' over a more common synonym. You understand its etymological roots and how it has evolved from ancient Semitic languages. You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as legal Arabic (spreading jurisdiction) or advanced linguistics (the expansion of phonemes). You can engage in deep discussions about the Quranic usage of the word and how it shapes the Islamic worldview of sustenance and destiny. The word is no longer just a verb to you; it is a conceptual tool for describing the very nature of existence and clarity.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

يَبْسُط in 30 Seconds

  • Primary meaning: To spread something out flat physically.
  • Secondary meaning: To expand provision or simplify a topic.
  • Root: B-S-T (ب-س-ط), shared with the word for 'simple'.
  • Commonly used for rugs, dough, maps, and divine sustenance.

The Arabic verb يَبْسُط (yabsuṭ) is a versatile and essential term that primarily describes the act of spreading, unfolding, or extending something across a surface. At its most literal level, it refers to the physical motion of taking a folded or rolled object and laying it out flat. This could be a merchant spreading a roll of silk on a wooden table, a family laying out a picnic blanket on the green grass of a park, or a person carefully smoothing out a map to find their way. The beauty of this verb lies in its transition from the physical to the metaphorical. In the Arabic language, spreading something out is often linked to clarity, generosity, and abundance.

Physical Application
This involves objects like rugs, fabrics, papers, or even hands. It implies making something flat and accessible. For example, 'The worker spreads the carpet' (يَبْسُطُ العَامِلُ السِّجَّادَةَ).
Metaphorical Application
This refers to the expansion of abstract concepts like provision, joy, or explanation. In a religious context, it is used to describe God 'expanding' or 'extending' sustenance to people.
The Concept of Simplicity
The root (ب-س-ط) is the same as the word 'Basit' (simple). To spread something out is to remove its folds and complexities, making it easy to understand.

يَبْسُطُ التَّاجِرُ الثَّوْبَ لِيُرِيَهُ لِلزَّبُونِ.
(The merchant spreads the garment to show it to the customer.)

In social settings, you might hear this word when someone is being welcomed. To 'spread the face' (بَسْطُ الوَجْه) means to show a cheerful, welcoming expression. It suggests that the person has removed the 'wrinkles' of stress or anger to show a flat, open, and happy countenance. Furthermore, in the context of power, 'spreading one's hand' can mean exercising authority or, conversely, reaching out to help. The verb is deeply embedded in the Semitic logic of space; what is spread is visible, what is folded is hidden. Therefore, using yabsuṭ often implies a move toward transparency and openness.

يَبْسُطُ اللهُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ.
(God extends provision to whom He wills.)

When you use this word, you are evoking a sense of horizontal expansion. It is not just about 'opening' (which would be 'yaftaḥ'), but specifically about 'leveling' or 'extending' something that has surface area. If you are explaining a complex theory and you say you want to 'yabsuṭ' it, you are telling your audience that you intend to lay it out in a way that is no longer tangled or folded upon itself. This makes the word indispensable for teachers, speakers, and anyone involved in communication.

Using يَبْسُط correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure as a Form I verb. In the present tense, it follows the pattern of (yaf'ulu), where the middle radical takes a damma (u) sound. When constructing a sentence, you typically need a subject (the spreader) and a direct object (the thing being spread). However, the meaning can shift significantly based on the prepositions that follow it.

Direct Object (Transitive)
When followed directly by a noun, it means to physically lay it out. Example: 'He spreads the map' (يَبْسُطُ الخَرِيطَةَ).
With Preposition 'أمام' (In front of)
Used when laying something out for inspection or display. Example: 'He spread the evidence before the judge.'
With Preposition 'إلى' (Toward)
Often used with 'hand' (يد) to mean reaching out, either to help or to harm. Example: 'He extended his hand to his friend.'

يَبْسُطُ الطِّفْلُ يَدَيْهِ لِيُعَانِقَ أُمَّهُ.
(The child spreads his arms to hug his mother.)

In formal writing, 'yabsuṭ' is often used to describe the dissemination of information or the unfolding of events. For instance, a historian might 'spread out' the facts of a war across the pages of a book. In this context, the verb takes on a more intellectual tone. It is important to note the difference between 'yabsuṭ' (to spread) and 'yanshuru' (to publish/spread). While 'yanshuru' is used for news or smells, 'yabsuṭ' retains a stronger connection to the physical act of leveling or flattening.

يَبْسُطُ الرِّيَاحُ السَّحَابَ فِي السَّمَاءِ.
(The wind spreads the clouds in the sky.)

When practicing this verb, try to visualize the object moving from a compact state to an expansive state. If you are spreading butter on bread, you might use 'yamsahu' (to wipe/spread), but if you are spreading a large dough to make a giant pizza, 'yabsuṭ' is much more appropriate because it emphasizes the expansion of the surface area. This nuance is what makes your Arabic sound more native and precise.

You will encounter يَبْسُط in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the very traditional to the modern and academic. In a traditional Middle Eastern bazaar, you might hear a merchant say, 'Let me spread this rug for you to see its pattern' (دَعْنِي أَبْسُطُ لَكَ هَذِهِ السِّجَّادَةَ). Here, the word is part of the language of commerce and quality. The physical act of spreading is a prerequisite for evaluation.

In the Kitchen
When preparing traditional flatbreads like 'Khubz' or 'Manakish', the baker 'yabsuṭ' the dough. You might hear this in cooking shows or in a local bakery.
In Religious Sermons (Khutbah)
Imams often use this word when discussing God's mercy or provision. It is a very common Quranic term, so it carries a weight of spiritual authority.
In News and Media
When a country 'spreads its control' over a territory, journalists use the phrase 'yabsuṭu sayṭaratahu' (يَبْسُطُ سَيْطَرَتَهُ). This is a standard phrase in political discourse.

بَسَطَ الجَيْشُ سَيْطَرَتَهُ عَلَى المَدِينَةِ.
(The army spread its control over the city.)

In more informal or dialectal settings, the root B-S-T is often used in the form of 'mabsoot' (مبسوط), which means 'happy' or 'satisfied' in Levantine and Egyptian Arabic. While 'yabsuṭ' itself remains somewhat formal, the idea of being 'spread out'—meaning relaxed and not 'tight' or 'stressed'—is the basis for the most common word for 'happy' in the Arab world. Understanding the verb 'yabsuṭ' gives you the key to understanding why an Arabic speaker describes happiness as a state of being 'unfolded'.

يَبْسُطُ الأُسْتَاذُ المَوْضُوعَ لِلطُّلابِ.
(The professor simplifies/lays out the subject for the students.)

In academic lectures, a professor might say 'da'una nabsuṭ al-mas'ala' (Let us lay out the matter). This isn't about physical rugs, but about logical progression. They are inviting the students to look at all parts of an argument clearly. Whether you are in a mosque, a market, or a university, the concept of 'spreading' is used to move from the hidden to the manifest.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with يَبْسُط is confusing it with other verbs that mean 'to spread' in English but have different nuances in Arabic. English is a 'generalist' language here, using 'spread' for butter, news, rugs, and disease. Arabic is much more specific. If you use 'yabsuṭ' for a rumor, an Arabic speaker will understand you, but it will sound very strange because rumors 'yanshuru' (scatter/publish) rather than 'yabsuṭ' (flatten/extend).

Confusing with 'Yanshuru' (يَنْشُر)
Use 'yanshuru' for information, news, or laundry on a line. Use 'yabsuṭ' for rugs, dough, or hands. Think: Is it being flattened or is it being distributed?
Preposition Errors
Learners often forget that 'yabsuṭ' can be used with 'ila' (to) when referring to reaching out. Saying 'yabsuṭ yahu' without a preposition is fine for 'he spreads his hand,' but 'yabsuṭ yahu ilayhi' specifically means reaching toward someone.
Confusing with Form II 'Yubassiṭ' (يُبَسِّط)
'Yabsuṭ' is to spread. 'Yubassiṭ' is to simplify. While related, they are used in different contexts. You 'yubassiṭ' a math problem, but you 'yabsuṭ' a carpet.

Incorrect: يَبْسُطُ الخَبَرَ فِي المَدِينَةِ.
(Correct: يَنْشُرُ الخَبَرَ - He spreads the news.)

Another mistake involves the pronunciation of the letter 'Saad' (ص) versus 'Seen' (س). While 'yabsuṭ' is spelled with a 'Seen', some dialects might heavy the sound because of the following 'Taa' (ط). However, in Modern Standard Arabic, you must keep the 'Seen' light and crisp. If you pronounce it with a 'Saad', you might be moving toward a different root entirely. Accuracy in the 'u' sound of the present tense (yabsuTu) is also vital, as some learners mistakenly use an 'i' or 'a' sound.

Finally, remember that 'yabsuṭ' is generally a positive or neutral verb. It implies expansion and openness. Using it in a context that is meant to be restrictive or 'closing' will create a logical contradiction in the listener's mind. It is the verb of the open hand, not the clenched fist.

To truly master يَبْسُط, you should know its 'neighbors' in the Arabic lexicon. Arabic is famous for having multiple words for similar actions, each with a specific flavor. By knowing the alternatives, you can choose the word that fits your exact meaning.

يَنْشُر (Yanshuru)
Primary meaning: To publish, scatter, or broadcast. Use this for books, news, or hanging clothes. It implies distribution to many places.
يَمُدّ (Yamuddu)
Primary meaning: To extend or stretch out. Use this for a rope, a bridge, or extending a deadline. It implies lengthening in one direction rather than flattening a surface.
يُفَرِّش (Yufarrishu)
Primary meaning: To carpet or furnish. Specifically used when covering a floor with something. It is more specific to interior design than 'yabsuṭ'.

يَبْسُطُ (Spreads flat) vs. يَمُدُّ (Stretches long) vs. يَنْشُرُ (Distributes wide).

In terms of antonyms, the most direct opposite is يَقْبِض (yaqbiḍ), which means to seize, contract, or close. Just as 'yabsuṭ' is used for God expanding provision, 'yaqbiḍ' is used for God restricting it. This pair—Basṭ (expansion) and Qabḍ (contraction)—is a major theme in Islamic philosophy and Sufism, representing the rhythmic cycles of life and the soul. Another opposite is يَطْوِي (yaṭwī), which means to fold. If you 'yabsuṭ' a map to read it, you 'yaṭwī' the map when you are finished.

Choosing the right word depends on the 'geometry' of the action. If the action results in a flat, smooth surface, 'yabsuṭ' is your best bet. If the action results in many people knowing something, go with 'yanshuru'. If the action is about making something longer, 'yamuddu' is the way to go. Mastering these distinctions is what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Neutral

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Informal

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Child friendly

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Slang

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Fun Fact

The word for 'carpet' (Bisāṭ) comes directly from this verb. In ancient times, a carpet was the only way to transform a rough, uneven floor into a 'spread' and comfortable surface.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jab.suːtˤ/
US /jæb.sʊtˤ/
Stress is on the first syllable 'YAB-suṭ'.
Rhymes With
يَقْنُط (yaqnuṭ) يَسْقُط (yasquṭ) يَخْبُط (yakhbuṭ) يَشْمُط (yashmuṭ) يَرْبُط (yarbuṭ) يَسْرُط (yasruṭ) يَقْمُط (yaqmuṭ) يَلْقُط (yalquṭ)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'Seen' as 'Saad' (making it sound like 'yab-SuT').
  • Making the 'Taa' (ط) sound like a soft English 't'.
  • Using a long 'aa' sound in the first syllable instead of the short 'a'.
  • Failing to give the 'u' sound enough depth before the emphatic 'Taa'.
  • Confusing the rhythm with Form II 'yu-bas-siṭ'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is common in literature and the Quran, requiring some context to distinguish meanings.

Writing 2/5

Simple spelling, but requires knowledge of the 'u' vowel in the present tense.

Speaking 3/5

Requires clear pronunciation of the 'Seen' and 'Taa' distinction.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'yubassiṭ' (simplify) if not heard carefully.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

سِجَّادَة (rug) يَد (hand) خَرِيْطَة (map) رِزْق (provision) كَبِير (big)

Learn Next

يَقْبِض (to restrict) يَطْوِي (to fold) بَسِيط (simple) مَبْسُوط (happy) سَطْح (surface)

Advanced

الاسْتِفَاضَة (elaboration) التَّوَسُّع (expansion) النُّفُوذ (influence) الهَيْبَة (prestige)

Grammar to Know

Form I Present Tense

يَفْعُلُ (Yaf'ulu) -> يَبْسُطُ (Yabsuṭu)

Transitive Verbs

يَبْسُطُ (Verb) + السِّجَّادَةَ (Object with Fatha)

Preposition 'Li-' (For)

يَبْسُطُ لِلنَّاسِ (Spreads for the people)

Active Participle Formation

بَاسِط (Bāsiṭ) following the pattern Fā'il.

Passive Voice Form I

يُبْسَطُ (It is being spread)

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Examples by Level

1

الرَّجُلُ يَبْسُطُ السِّجَّادَةَ.

The man spreads the rug.

Subject (الرجل) + Verb (يَبْسُط) + Object (السجادة).

2

أَنَا أَبْسُطُ الخَرِيطَةَ.

I spread the map.

First person singular 'absuṭu'.

3

هِيَ تَبْسُطُ المِلَاءَةَ.

She spreads the sheet.

Third person feminine 'tabsuṭu'.

4

يَبْسُطُ الطِّفْلُ الوَرَقَةَ.

The child spreads the paper.

Present tense verb starting with 'ya'.

5

الخَبَّازُ يَبْسُطُ العَجِينَ.

The baker spreads the dough.

Specific use for flattening food.

6

هَلْ تَبْسُطُ هَذَا؟

Do you spread this?

Question form with 'hal'.

7

نَحْنُ نَبْسُطُ الغِطَاءَ.

We spread the cover.

First person plural 'nabsuṭu'.

8

يَبْسُطُ يَدَهُ.

He spreads his hand.

Simple verb-object structure.

1

يَبْسُطُ التَّاجِرُ القُمَاشَ لِلنَّاسِ.

The merchant spreads the fabric for the people.

Added 'li-nnas' (for the people) as a prepositional phrase.

2

بَسَطَ الوَلَدُ ذِرَاعَيْهِ.

The boy spread his arms.

Past tense 'basaṭa'.

3

يَبْسُطُ الفَلَّاحُ البِذُورَ.

The farmer spreads the seeds.

Used for scattering in a flat way.

4

تَبْسُطُ الأُمُّ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى المَائِدَةِ.

The mother spreads the food on the table.

Metaphorical use for laying out a feast.

5

يَبْسُطُ الشَّمْسُ نُورَهُ.

The sun spreads its light.

Poetic but simple A2 usage.

6

بَسَطْتُ الخَرِيطَةَ لِأَرَى الطَّرِيقَ.

I spread the map to see the road.

Past tense first person 'basaṭtu'.

7

يَبْسُطُ الرَّاعِي ثَوْبَهُ.

The shepherd spreads his garment.

Focus on the object 'thawb'.

8

هُمْ يَبْسُطُونَ الحَصِيرَ فِي المَسْجِدِ.

They spread the mats in the mosque.

Third person plural 'yabsuṭūna'.

1

يَبْسُطُ اللهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهِ.

God expands provision for His servants.

Abstract usage of provision (Rizq).

2

يَبْسُطُ الكَاتِبُ أَفْكَارَهُ فِي الكِتَابِ.

The writer spreads (lays out) his ideas in the book.

Metaphorical use for ideas.

3

يَبْسُطُ القَائِدُ نُفُوذَهُ عَلَى المِنْطَقَةِ.

The leader spreads his influence over the region.

Political/Formal usage.

4

يَبْسُطُ المُعَلِّمُ المَسْأَلَةَ لِيَفْهَمَهَا الطُّلابُ.

The teacher simplifies the matter for the students to understand.

Meaning 'to simplify' via 'laying out'.

5

يَبْسُطُ البَحْرُ أَمْوَاجَهُ عَلَى الرِّمَالِ.

The sea spreads its waves on the sand.

Descriptive literary use.

6

بَسَطَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَهُ بِالخَيْرِ.

The man extended his hand with goodness (generosity).

Idiomatic expression for generosity.

7

يَبْسُطُ العِلْمُ آفَاقَ العَقْلِ.

Knowledge spreads the horizons of the mind.

Abstract B1 concept.

8

يَبْسُطُ الفَرِحُ أَجْنِحَتَهُ فِي القَلْبِ.

Joy spreads its wings in the heart.

Personification of joy.

1

يَبْسُطُ البَاحِثُ نَتَائِجَ الدِّرَاسَةِ أَمَامَ اللَّجْنَةِ.

The researcher lays out the study results before the committee.

Formal academic context.

2

بَسَطَتِ الدَّوْلَةُ سَيْطَرَتَهَا عَلَى الحُدُودِ.

The state spread its control over the borders.

Standard geopolitical phrase.

3

يَبْسُطُ الفَنَّانُ أَلْوَانَهُ عَلَى اللَّوْحَةِ.

The artist spreads his colors on the canvas.

Creative context.

4

يَبْسُطُ القَانُونُ حِمَايَتَهُ لِلْجَمِيعِ.

The law spreads its protection to everyone.

Abstract legal protection.

5

بَسَطَ الشَّاعِرُ خَيَالَهُ فِي القَصِيدَةِ.

The poet spread his imagination in the poem.

Literary analysis term.

6

يَبْسُطُ الشِّتَاءُ رِدَاءَهُ الأَبْيَضَ.

Winter spreads its white cloak (snow).

Advanced metaphor.

7

يَبْسُطُ المُدِيرُ خُطَّتَهُ الجَدِيدَةَ.

The manager lays out his new plan.

Professional management context.

8

بَسَطَ اللهُ لَهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ.

God extended (blessed) his life for him.

Spiritual/Cultural idiom.

1

يَبْسُطُ الفَيْلَسُوفُ نَظَرِيَّتَهُ بِاسْتِفَاضَةٍ.

The philosopher lays out his theory in great detail.

Using 'bi-stifāḍa' for detail.

2

بَسَطَ العَدْلُ رِوَاقَهُ فِي المَمْلَكَةِ.

Justice spread its pavilion (presence) in the kingdom.

Highly classical/archaic metaphor.

3

يَبْسُطُ المُفَكِّرُ آرَاءَهُ المِثِيرَةَ لِلْجَدَلِ.

The thinker spreads his controversial views.

Context of intellectual discourse.

4

بَسَطَ اللهُ لَنَا فِي الأَرْضِ سُبُلًا.

God has spread out for us paths in the earth.

Quranic style phrasing.

5

يَبْسُطُ التَّارِيخُ صَفَحَاتِهِ لِلْقُرَّاءِ.

History spreads its pages for the readers.

Personification of history.

6

بَسَطَ كَفَّهُ لِلسُّؤَالِ.

He spread his palm to ask (beg).

Specific idiom for begging/asking.

7

يَبْسُطُ السَّلَامُ ظِلَالَهُ عَلَى الشُّعُوبِ.

Peace spreads its shadows (protection) over the nations.

Diplomatic/Poetic usage.

8

بَسَطَ الرِّزْقَ بَعْدَ ضِيقٍ.

He expanded the provision after hardship.

Contrast between 'Basṭ' and 'Ḍīq'.

1

يَبْسُطُ العَارِفُ مَعَارِفَهُ لِلمُرِيدِينَ.

The gnostic unfolds his esoteric knowledge for the disciples.

Sufi/Philosophical terminology.

2

بَسَطَ الكَوْنُ أَسْرَارَهُ لِلْعِلْمِ الحَدِيثِ.

The universe unfolded its secrets to modern science.

Scientific/Metaphysical context.

3

يَبْسُطُ الحَاكِمُ رِدَاءَ الهَيْبَةِ.

The ruler spreads the cloak of prestige (awe).

High literary register.

4

بَسَطَ المَنْطِقُ سُلْطَانَهُ عَلَى النِّقَاشِ.

Logic spread its authority over the debate.

Abstract personification.

5

يَبْسُطُ اللِّسَانُ مَا فِي الجَنَانِ.

The tongue spreads (reveals) what is in the heart.

Classical proverb style.

6

بَسَطَ النُّورُ أَجْنِحَتَهُ فَوْقَ الرَّوَابِي.

The light spread its wings over the hills.

Advanced poetic imagery.

7

يَبْسُطُ القَدَرُ خُيُوطَهُ الخَفِيَّةَ.

Fate spreads its hidden threads.

Metaphor for destiny.

8

بَسَطَ السُّلْطَانُ يَدَ العَدْلِ فِي الرَّعِيَّةِ.

The Sultan extended the hand of justice among the subjects.

Archaic political usage.

Common Collocations

يَبْسُطُ سَيْطَرَتَهُ
يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ
يَبْسُطُ يَدَهُ
يَبْسُطُ السِّجَّادَةَ
يَبْسُطُ العَجِينَ
يَبْسُطُ الخَرِيطَةَ
يَبْسُطُ نُفُوذَهُ
يَبْسُطُ المَوْضُوعَ
يَبْسُطُ كَفَّيْهِ
يَبْسُطُ ظِلَّهُ

Common Phrases

بَسْطُ الوَجْه

— A cheerful and welcoming facial expression.

بَسْطُ الوَجْه يَنْشُرُ المَحَبَّةَ.

بَسْطُ اليَد

— Generosity or the act of giving freely.

هُوَ مَعْرُوفٌ بِبَسْطِ اليَدِ.

عَلَى بِسَاطِ البَحْث

— Under discussion or being 'spread out' for study.

القَضِيَّةُ الآنَ عَلَى بِسَاطِ البَحْثِ.

بَسْطُ السُّلْطَة

— Exercising authority over a wide area.

يَبْسُطُ القَانُونُ سُلْطَتَهُ.

بَسْطُ الرِّدَاء

— To offer protection or to cover something up.

بَسَطَ السَّحَابُ رِدَاءَهُ.

بَسْطُ القَوْل

— To speak at length or explain in detail.

بَسَطَ القَوْلَ فِي هَذَا الأَمْرِ.

بَسْطُ العُذْر

— To offer an extensive or clear excuse.

بَسَطَ لَهُ العُذْرَ بَعْدَ التَّأْخِيرِ.

بَسْطُ الرَّاحَة

— To provide comfort or a state of ease.

يَبْسُطُ البَيْتُ الرَّاحَةَ لِسُكَّانِهِ.

بَسْطُ النِّعْمَة

— The abundance of blessings.

بَسَطَ اللهُ عَلَيْنَا نِعْمَتَهُ.

بَسْطُ الأَمَل

— To spread hope among people.

يَبْسُطُ القَائِدُ الأَمَلَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ.

Often Confused With

يَبْسُط vs يَنْشُر (Yanshuru)

Often confused because both mean 'spread'. Yanshuru is for distribution/publishing; Yabsuṭ is for flattening/extending.

يَبْسُط vs يَمُدّ (Yamuddu)

Yamuddu is to stretch length-wise; Yabsuṭ is to spread surface-wise.

يَبْسُط vs يُبَسِّط (Yubassiṭ)

Form II meaning 'to simplify'. While related, it focuses on the ease of understanding rather than the physical act.

Idioms & Expressions

"بَسَطَ لَهُ جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ"

— To be extremely humble or kind to someone (usually parents).

بَسَطَ لِوَالِدَيْهِ جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ.

Quranic/Literary
"يَبْسُطُ يَدَهُ كُلَّ البَسْط"

— To be overly extravagant or spendthrift.

لَا تَبْسُطْ يَدَكَ كُلَّ البَسْطِ فَتَنْدَمَ.

Formal
"بَسَطَ لَهُ البِسَاطَ الأَحْمَرَ"

— To give someone the red carpet treatment (modern idiom).

بَسَطُوا لَهُ البِسَاطَ الأَحْمَرَ عِنْدَ وُصُولِهِ.

Modern/Journalistic
"بَسَطَ كَفَّهُ لِلمَاءِ"

— A metaphor for reaching for something unattainable.

هُوَ كَمَنْ يَبْسُطُ كَفَّهُ لِلمَاءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ.

Classical
"بَسْطُ النُّفُوذ"

— Expanding one's sphere of influence.

تَسْعَى الشَّرِكَةُ لِبَسْطِ نُفُوذِهَا.

Business
"بَسَطَ الخَبَرَ"

— To elaborate on news (less common than 'yanshuru').

بَسَطَ المُذِيعُ الخَبَرَ.

Media
"بَسَطَ وَجْهَهُ لِلسَّائِلِ"

— To receive a beggar with a kind face instead of a frown.

مِنَ الكَرَمِ بَسْطُ الوَجْهِ لِلسَّائِلِ.

Ethical/Religious
"بَسَطَ لَهُ صَدْرَهُ"

— To welcome someone warmly and listen to them.

بَسَطَ لِي صَدْرَهُ فَحَكَيْتُ لَهُ هَمِّي.

Literary
"بَسَطَ ظِلَّهُ عَلَى"

— To dominate or cast a long shadow over something.

بَسَطَ الفَقْرُ ظِلَّهُ عَلَى القَرْيَةِ.

Literary
"بَسَطَ يَدَ المَعُونَةِ"

— To extend a helping hand.

بَسَطَتِ الجَمْعِيَّةُ يَدَ المَعُونَةِ لِلْمُتَضَرِّرِينَ.

Formal

Easily Confused

يَبْسُط vs بَسِيط

It is the adjective form.

Yabsuṭ is the action; Basīṭ is the state of being easy or flat.

هَذَا سُؤَالٌ بَسِيطٌ.

يَبْسُط vs مَبْسُوط

In dialect, it means happy.

In MSA, it means 'spread out'. In dialect, it is the most common word for 'happy'.

أَنَا مَبْسُوطٌ جِدًّا.

يَبْسُط vs فَرَشَ

Both involve laying things on a floor.

Farasha implies covering a floor; Yabsuṭ implies the act of unfolding the object itself.

فَرَشَ الغُرْفَةَ.

يَبْسُط vs سَطَحَ

Both relate to surfaces.

Saṭaḥa is more technical, like 'to level' or 'to make horizontal'.

سَطَحَ المَاءُ.

يَبْسُط vs مَدَّ

Both involve extension.

Madda is extension in space or time (like a line); Yabsuṭ is extension in area (like a plane).

مَدَّ يَدَهُ.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Subject] يَبْسُطُ [Object].

الرَّجُلُ يَبْسُطُ السِّجَّادَةَ.

A2

[Subject] يَبْسُطُ [Object] لِـ [Person].

التَّاجِرُ يَبْسُطُ الثَّوْبَ لِلزَّبُونِ.

B1

اللهُ يَبْسُطُ [Abstract Noun].

اللهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ.

B1

[Subject] يَبْسُطُ يَدَهُ بـ [Quality].

بَسَطَ يَدَهُ بِالكَرَمِ.

B2

[Subject] يَبْسُطُ سَيْطَرَتَهُ عَلَى [Place].

يَبْسُطُ الجَيْشُ سَيْطَرَتَهُ عَلَى المَدِينَةِ.

B2

[Subject] يَبْسُطُ [Topic] لِـ [Audience].

يَبْسُطُ الأُسْتَاذُ الفِكْرَةَ لِلطُّلابِ.

C1

بَسَطَ [Abstract Subject] رِدَاءَهُ.

بَسَطَ اللَّيْلُ رِدَاءَهُ.

C2

يَبْسُطُ اللِّسَانُ مَا فِي [Body Part].

يَبْسُطُ اللِّسَانُ مَا فِي الجَنَانِ.

Word Family

Nouns

بِسَاط Rug/Carpet
بَسَاطَة Simplicity
انْبِسَاط Expansion/Joy
بَاسِط One who spreads (The Expander)

Verbs

بَسَطَ He spread (Past)
بُسِطَ It was spread (Passive)
يُبَسِّط To simplify (Form II)
انْبَسَطَ To be spread/To be happy (Form VII)

Adjectives

بَسِيط Simple/Flat
مَبْسُوط Spread out/Happy (in dialect)
مُنْبَسِط Extensive/Flat (geographical)

Related

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How to Use It

frequency

Common in religious, literary, and specific physical contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'yabsuṭ' for news. → يَنْشُرُ الخَبَرَ

    News is distributed (yanshuru), not flattened (yabsuṭ).

  • Pronouncing 'Seen' as 'Saad'. → يَبْسُط (with Seen)

    Using 'Saad' changes the root and the meaning.

  • Using 'yabsuṭ' for butter on toast. → يَدْهُنُ الزُّبْدَةَ

    'Yabsuṭ' implies a larger scale of spreading than a knife on toast.

  • Forgetting the 'u' in the present tense. → يَبْسُطُ (yabsuṭu)

    Some learners say 'yabsaṭu' or 'yabsiṭu', which are incorrect.

  • Confusing 'yabsuṭ' (spread) with 'yubassiṭ' (simplify). → يُبَسِّطُ المَسْأَلَةَ

    While 'yabsuṭ' can mean to lay out an explanation, 'yubassiṭ' is the standard for simplifying.

Tips

The Rug Rule

Always associate 'yabsuṭ' with a rug. If you can do the action to a rug, you can use 'yabsuṭ'.

Present Tense Vowel

Remember the 'u' (damma) on the 'Seen' in the present tense: yabsuṭu. This is crucial for Form I.

The Happy Connection

Connect 'yabsuṭ' to 'mabsoot'. A happy person is like a spread-out rug—not folded or stressed.

Provision (Rizq)

When reading the Quran or listening to sermons, look for this word to understand how provision is described.

News Phrasing

In news, listen for 'yabsuṭu sayṭaratahu' to talk about control or security being established.

Simplification

If you want to say 'I will simplify the explanation,' use 'Sa-absuṭu al-sharḥ'.

The Emphatic T

Make sure the final 'Taa' (ط) is heavy. It should sound like a dull thud, not a sharp 't'.

Root Power

Learn the root B-S-T. It will help you understand 'Basit' (simple) and 'Bisat' (carpet) instantly.

Open Hands

Use 'yabsuṭu yahu' specifically when talking about someone being generous.

Yabsuṭ vs Yanshuru

Visualize: Yabsuṭ is horizontal leveling; Yanshuru is 3D scattering.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a **B**ig **S**pread **T**able. B-S-T. You spread the cloth on the table to make it ready.

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of hands unrolling a beautiful Persian rug. As the rug unrolls, it becomes 'yabsuṭ' (spread out).

Word Web

Bisāṭ (Rug) Basīṭ (Simple) Mabsoot (Happy) Yabsuṭ (Spreads) Inbisāṭ (Expansion) Bāsiṭ (Expander) Basāṭa (Simplicity) Tabsiṭ (Simplification)

Challenge

Try to use 'yabsuṭ' three times today: once for a physical object, once for an explanation, and once for a feeling of openness.

Word Origin

The root is the triliteral B-S-T (ب س ط). It is an ancient Semitic root found in various forms across the language family, always relating to the concept of spatial extension.

Original meaning: To level the ground or to make a surface even and wide.

Afroasiatic, Semitic, Central Semitic, Arabic.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful using 'yabsuṭ yahu' (spreads his hand) as it can mean both generosity and aggression depending on context.

English speakers often use 'spread' for many things. In Arabic, remember that 'yabsuṭ' is specifically for flat surfaces and conceptual expansion.

Quran 2:245: '...and Allah withholds and grants abundance (yabsuṭu)...' The 99 Names: Al-Bāsiṭ (The Expander). Arab Proverb: 'Al-bashāsha mabsūṭa' (Friendliness is spread/available).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In a shop

  • مُمْكِن تَبْسُط القُمَاش؟
  • بَسَطَ التَّاجِرُ البِضَاعَةَ.
  • أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَبْسُطَ السِّجَّادَةَ.
  • يَبْسُطُ لِي الخِيَارَاتِ.

In a classroom

  • يَبْسُطُ المُعَلِّمُ الدَّرْسَ.
  • ابْسُطْ فِكْرَتَكَ يَا مُحَمَّد.
  • نَحْنُ نَبْسُطُ الخَرِيطَةَ.
  • بَسْطُ المَعْلُومَاتِ.

In a mosque

  • اللهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ.
  • بَسَطَ يَدَهُ لِلدُّعَاءِ.
  • يَبْسُطُ اللهُ رَحْمَتَهُ.
  • بَسْطُ السِّجَّادِ لِلصَّلَاةِ.

At home

  • ابْسُطِ المِلَاءَةَ عَلَى السَّرِيرِ.
  • نَبْسُطُ الغِطَاءَ لِلنُّزْهَةِ.
  • تَبْسُطُ العَجِينَ لِلخُبْزِ.
  • بَسَطْتُ يَدِي لِأَخِي.

In politics/news

  • بَسْطُ السَّيْطَرَةِ.
  • يَبْسُطُ نُفُوذَهُ.
  • بَسَطَ الأَمْنَ فِي المَدِينَةِ.
  • يَبْسُطُ القَانُونُ ظِلَّهُ.

Conversation Starters

"هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ أَنْ تَبْسُطَ لِي هَذِهِ الفِكْرَةَ؟ (Can you simplify/lay out this idea for me?)"

"مَتَى نَبْسُطُ السِّجَّادَةَ الجَدِيدَةَ؟ (When will we spread the new rug?)"

"كَيْفَ يَبْسُطُ القَائِدُ سَيْطَرَتَهُ؟ (How does the leader spread his control?)"

"أَيْنَ نَبْسُطُ غِطَاءَ النُّزْهَةِ؟ (Where shall we spread the picnic blanket?)"

"هَلْ تَبْسُطُ الخَرِيطَةَ لِنَعْرِفَ المَكَانَ؟ (Will you spread the map so we know the location?)"

Journal Prompts

اُكْتُبْ عَنْ مَرَّةٍ بَسَطْتَ فِيهَا يَدَكَ لِلْمُسَاعَدَةِ. (Write about a time you extended your hand to help.)

كَيْفَ يَبْسُطُ اللهُ الرِّزْقَ فِي حَيَاتِكَ؟ (How does God expand provision in your life?)

صِفْ شُعُورَكَ عِنْدَمَا تَبْسُطُ السِّجَّادَةَ لِلصَّلَاةِ. (Describe your feeling when you spread the rug for prayer.)

مَا هِيَ المَوَاضِيعُ الَّتِي تُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبْسُطَهَا لَكَ المُعَلِّمُ؟ (What subjects do you want the teacher to simplify for you?)

تَخَيَّلْ أَنَّكَ تَبْسُطُ نُفُوذَكَ فِي العَالَمِ، مَاذَا سَتَفْعَلُ؟ (Imagine you spread your influence in the world, what would you do?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is not common. For butter, use 'yadhunu' or 'yamsahu'. 'Yabsuṭ' is for larger surfaces or objects like dough.

In its verb form, it's more common in formal Arabic. However, its derivatives like 'mabsoot' (happy) are used every minute in dialects.

Think of 'yabsuṭ' as 'unfolding' and 'yanshuru' as 'scattering'. You spread a rug (yabsuṭ) but you spread news (yanshuru).

You say 'Allah yabsuṭu al-rizq'. This is a very common Quranic phrase.

The base Form I can mean to lay out an explanation, but Form II 'yubassiṭ' is the specific word for 'to simplify'.

It is a 'Seen' (س), so it is light. However, because of the 'Taa' (ط), some speakers might make it sound slightly heavier.

The most common opposite is 'yaqbiḍ' (to contract/seize) or 'yaṭwī' (to fold).

Yes, 'yabsuṭu yahu' means he extends his hand. 'Basaṭa wajhahu' means he showed a happy face.

Yes, it is a sound Form I verb (Saḥīḥ) following the standard conjugation patterns.

Yes, 'yabsuṭu nufūdhahu' or 'yabsuṭu sayṭaratahu' can be used for business expansion in a formal context.

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Test Yourself 102 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'yabsuṭ' and 'al-khariṭa'.

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writing

Translate: 'God expands provision for His servants.'

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speaking

Pronounce 'يَبْسُطُ' correctly, focusing on the damma and the Taa.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen to the word 'يُبَسِّط' and 'يَبْسُط'. Which one means 'to spread physically'?

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