This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb #7,000 most common 9 min read

يصغر

yasghur Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips يصغر in 30 Seconds

Explanation يصغر in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should focus on the most basic meaning of 'yasghuru': to get smaller. Think of it as the opposite of 'yakburu' (to get bigger). At this stage, you only need to know how to use it for simple physical objects. For example, if you see a ball losing air, you can say 'the ball is getting smaller'. You should also recognize it when people talk about age in a very simple way, like 'he is younger than me'. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the core idea of reduction in size or age. It is helpful to associate it with the adjective 'saghir' (small) which you likely already know. When you see 'yasghuru', just think 'it is becoming saghir'. This simple mental link will help you remember the word's meaning without getting bogged down in linguistics. Practice saying it for things you see every day, like a piece of ice melting or a candle burning down.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'yasghuru' in more complete sentences and understand its different contexts. You should be able to conjugate it correctly for masculine and feminine subjects (yasghuru/tasghuru). This is the level where you use it to describe clothes shrinking in the wash or comparing your age with your siblings using the preposition 'an' (e.g., yasgharu 'anni). You also start to see it used in simple metaphorical ways, such as a problem becoming smaller after you talk about it. It's important to distinguish between the physical 'yasghuru' and the age-related 'yasgharu'. You should also be able to use it in the past tense 'saghura' to describe something that already became small. Try to use it in short stories or descriptions of your daily life. For instance, 'When I was a child, the house seemed big, but now it yasghuru (seems smaller) in my eyes'. This level is about building functional usage in common, everyday situations.

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple descriptions into more abstract and professional uses of 'yasghuru'. You will encounter this verb in news articles discussing economic trends, such as a 'shrinking market' or a 'diminishing population'. You should also be comfortable with the word in various tenses and moods, including the negative and the future. At this stage, you should also be aware of the difference between Form I 'yasghuru' and Form II 'yusaghhiru' (to make small/belittle). Using the correct form is essential for clarity. You might use 'yasghuru' to describe how a person's influence decreases over time or how a scientific phenomenon occurs. You'll also start to see it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'the more we learn, the more our ignorance yasghuru (appears smaller)'. Your vocabulary should now include synonyms like 'yataqallaṣu' and 'yataḍā'alu', and you should know when 'yasghuru' is the better choice versus these more specific terms.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuance and stylistic impact of 'yasghuru' in literature and formal speeches. You can use it to describe complex social dynamics, such as how a person might 'become small' in the eyes of society due to a scandal. You should be able to discuss the word's root (S-G-R) and how it branches into other meanings like 'sighar' (childhood/smallness) or 'tasghir' (diminution in grammar). At this level, you can use the verb in hypothetical or conditional sentences (e.g., 'If the budget shrinks any further, we will face problems'). You should also be able to recognize and use idiomatic expressions involving the verb. Your understanding of the verb should include its use in different Arabic dialects, even if you primarily speak MSA. You are now analyzing the word's role in the rhythm and flow of a sentence, using it to create specific imagery or to emphasize a point about reduction or humility.

At the C1 level, your use of 'yasghuru' is sophisticated and precise. You can use it in academic writing to describe the contraction of theories or the diminishing returns of an investment. You are fully aware of the historical etymology of the root and how the verb has been used in classical Arabic poetry and prose. You can distinguish between very subtle shades of meaning—for example, why an author chose 'yasghuru' instead of 'yataḍā'alu' to describe a fading star. You use the verb to explore philosophical concepts, such as the ego becoming small through spiritual practice. Your mastery includes the ability to use the verb in complex rhetorical devices, such as antithesis (pairing it with 'yakburu' for effect). You are also comfortable with the passive forms and the various derived nouns that stem from the same root, using them to add depth and variety to your discourse.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'yasghuru' and its place in the vast landscape of the Arabic language. You can interpret its use in the most dense and archaic texts, understanding the cultural and historical weight it carries. You use the verb with effortless precision, often employing it in creative writing or high-level debate to convey subtle shifts in power, size, or perspective. You are an expert in the 'balagha' (eloquence) associated with the root S-G-R. You can explain the theological implications of the word in religious texts and how it relates to the concept of 'Kibriya' (grandeur). For you, 'yasghuru' is not just a verb but a tool for nuanced expression, capable of describing everything from the subatomic level to the vast reaches of the cosmos, all while maintaining the perfect tone and register for any given audience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

يصغر in 30 Seconds

يصغر means 'to become smaller' or 'to shrink' physically.
It is used to say someone is 'younger than' another person.
Metaphorically, it means to lose respect or appear insignificant.
It is the intransitive Form I of the root S-G-R (smallness).

The Arabic verb يصغر (yasghuru or yasgharu) is a fundamental Form I verb derived from the triliteral root ص-غ-ر (S-G-R), which fundamentally pertains to smallness, youth, or insignificance. In its most literal sense, it describes the process of something becoming physically smaller in size, volume, or dimension. This is often used in everyday contexts such as clothing shrinking after a wash or a distant object appearing smaller as it moves away. However, the beauty of the Arabic language lies in its layers, and this verb is no exception. Beyond physical size, it is frequently employed to describe chronological age differences. When you say someone yasgharu someone else, you are indicating they are younger. This social application is vital for A2 learners to master as it appears in family and biographical descriptions.

Physical Diminution: The act of a tangible object reducing in physical scale due to external or internal factors.
Chronological Youth: Being younger than another person in a comparative context, often used with the preposition 'an'.
Metaphorical Loss of Status: Losing respect or appearing insignificant in the eyes of others due to poor behavior.

الثوب يصغر بعد الغسيل بالماء الساخن.
(The garment becomes smaller after washing with hot water.)

أخي يصغرني بخمس سنوات.
(My brother is younger than me by five years.)

المشكلة تصغر عندما نجد لها حلاً.
(The problem becomes smaller when we find a solution for it.)

القمر يصغر في نهاية الشهر العربي.
(The moon becomes smaller at the end of the Arabic month.)

الرجل الكاذب يصغر في أعين الناس.
(The lying man becomes small in the eyes of the people.)

Culturally, the concept of 'becoming small' is often linked to humility or, conversely, to losing face. In Arabic literature, a hero might 'become small' (humble himself) before his parents, which is seen as a noble trait. However, if an enemy 'becomes small', it implies they have been defeated or humiliated. Understanding these nuances helps a learner transition from basic vocabulary to cultural fluency. When using this verb in a professional setting, one might describe a market share that 'yasghuru' (shrinks) or a budget that is decreasing. It is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between the physical world and abstract concepts of social hierarchy and mathematics.

Using يصغر correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as an intransitive verb (Lāzim). Unlike the transitive Form II version (yusaghhiru), this verb does not usually take a direct object when referring to size; the subject itself is what is undergoing the change. For example, 'The fruit shrinks' is 'al-fākihatu tasghuru'. However, when comparing ages, it can take a pronominal suffix or be followed by 'an' to indicate the person being compared. This dual functionality is a key feature of the word's usage in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).

Subject-Verb Agreement: The verb must agree in gender with the subject. Masculine: Huwa yasghuru. Feminine: Hiya tasghuru.
Age Comparison Pattern: Verb + Subject + 'an' + Person. Example: Ahmad yasgharu 'an 'Umar (Ahmad is younger than Omar).
Tense Shifts: Past: Saghura (He became small). Present: Yasghuru (He becomes small). Future: Sayasghuru (He will become small).

كلما ابتعدت الطائرة، تصغر في نظرنا.
(Whenever the plane moves away, it becomes smaller in our sight.)

هل يصغر حجم الملف عند ضغطه؟
(Does the file size become smaller when compressing it?)

أختي تصغرني بكثير.
(My sister is much younger than me.)

الورم يصغر بفضل العلاج.
(The tumor is becoming smaller thanks to the treatment.)

الظل يصغر وقت الظهيرة.
(The shadow becomes smaller at noon.)

When writing, remember that 'yasghuru' is often used in descriptive passages to show a change in perspective or state. In news reports, it might describe a 'shrinking' economy (al-iqtiṣād yasghuru) or a 'diminishing' role of an organization. In colloquial dialects, the verb might change slightly in pronunciation (like 'yisghar' in Egyptian or Levantine), but the core meaning remains consistent. For an A2 learner, the most important thing is to distinguish it from the adjective 'saghir' (small). While 'saghir' describes a state, 'yasghuru' describes the action of entering that state. Practice using it with different subjects—animals, objects, and people—to build your confidence in its application across various semantic fields.

You will encounter يصغر in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from domestic life to scientific broadcasts. In a household setting, a mother might complain that her child's clothes 'tasghuru' (are becoming too small/shrinking) or that the child's appetite 'yasghuru'. In the world of science and technology, specifically on Arabic news channels like Al Jazeera or BBC Arabic, you'll hear it in reports about climate change (e.g., 'the glaciers are becoming smaller') or electronics (e.g., 'microchips are becoming smaller every year'). It is a staple of descriptive language in both formal and informal registers.

News & Media: Used to describe shrinking economies, territories, or influence of political figures.
Shopping & Tailoring: Commonly used when discussing how fabrics react to water or how a person's size changes.
Social Gatherings: Used when introducing siblings or relatives to clarify who is younger.

المساحات الخضراء تصغر بسبب التوسع العمراني.
(Green spaces are becoming smaller due to urban expansion.)

هل تعتقد أن هذا الخاتم يصغر مع الوقت؟
(Do you think this ring gets smaller over time?)

الفجوة بين الأجيال تصغر بفضل التكنولوجيا.
(The generation gap is becoming smaller thanks to technology.)

كلما كبرنا، يصغر عالمنا المحيط بنا.
(As we grow older, the world around us becomes smaller.)

الجرح يصغر يومًا بعد يوم.
(The wound is becoming smaller day after day.)

Furthermore, you'll hear this verb in religious or philosophical contexts. For instance, a common saying suggests that the world 'yasghuru' (becomes small/insignificant) in the heart of a believer who focuses on the afterlife. In sports, a lead might 'yasghuru' (shrink) as the opposing team scores points. By paying attention to these contexts, you can see how 'yasghuru' acts as a dynamic indicator of change. Whether it's a physical object, a mathematical value, or a social standing, this verb captures the essence of reduction. Listening for the root S-G-R in various forms—like the adjective 'saghir', the comparative 'asghar', or the noun 'sighar'—will also help you recognize 'يصغر' more easily in rapid speech.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Arabic is confusing the intransitive verb يصغر (to become small) with the transitive verb يصغر (to make small - Form II, pronounced yusaghhiru). In English, 'to shrink' can be both—you can shrink a shirt (transitive) or a shirt can shrink (intransitive). In Arabic, these are distinct forms. If you use Form I when you mean Form II, you might say 'The tailor becomes small' when you meant 'The tailor makes the clothes smaller'. Precision in vowel sounds (Harakat) is crucial here, even though they are written with the same letters in unvocalized text.

Form I vs Form II: Mistake: Using 'yasghuru' to mean 'to belittle someone'. Correct: Use 'yusaghhiru' for the action of belittling.
Preposition Errors: Mistake: Saying 'yasghuru min' for age. Correct: Use 'yasgharu 'an' or 'yasgharu' followed by a suffix.
Confusing with 'Asghar': Mistake: Using the verb when the adjective 'asghar' (smaller/youngest) is required for a static comparison.

خطأ: هو يصغر المشكلة.
(Error: He [becomes small] the problem - incorrect transitive use.)

صح: هو يصغر (يُصَغِّر) المشكلة.
(Correct: He [makes small] the problem - using Form II.)

خطأ: التفاحة يصغر.
(Error: The apple [masculine verb] becomes small - gender mismatch.)

صح: التفاحة تصغر.
(Correct: The apple [feminine verb] becomes small.)

خطأ: أنا يصغر من أخي.
(Error: I [he becomes small] from my brother - wrong person and preposition.)

Another common mistake involves the vowel on the second radical (Ghayn). While 'yasghuru' (with a damma) is the standard for becoming small in size, 'yasgharu' (with a fatha) is often used for becoming younger or being younger. Mixing these up won't usually prevent understanding, but mastering the distinction marks a higher level of proficiency. Additionally, learners often forget to conjugate the verb for plural subjects. For example, 'The mountains become small' should be 'al-jibālu tasghuru' (using the feminine singular for non-human plurals). Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Arabic sound much more natural and precise. Remember, 'yasghuru' is a verb of 'state change', so it implies a process over time.

While يصغر is a very common way to express the concept of becoming smaller, Arabic offers a rich palette of synonyms that provide more specific nuances. Depending on whether you are talking about a physical contraction, a gradual fading, or a metaphorical reduction in power, you might choose a different verb. Understanding these alternatives will help you expand your vocabulary and express yourself with greater accuracy. For example, 'yasghuru' is general, but 'yan-kamishu' specifically implies shrinking or shriveling, often due to cold or drying out.

يتقلص (Yataqallaṣu): To contract or shrink. Often used for muscles, budgets, or economic periods.
ينكمش (Yankamishu): To shrivel or shrink. Commonly used for fabrics in the wash or skin in old age.
يتضاءل (Yataḍā'alu): To diminish or dwindle. Used for abstract things like hope, light, or chances of success.

الأمل يتضاءل مع مرور الوقت.
(Hope diminishes with the passage of time.)

العضلة تتقلص عند الحركة.
(The muscle contracts during movement.)

القميص الصوفي ينكمش في الغسالة.
(The wool shirt shrinks in the washing machine.)

العدد ينقص تدريجيًا.
(The number decreases gradually.)

الضوء يخفت في المساء.
(The light fades/dims in the evening.)

In summary, 'yasghuru' is your 'all-purpose' verb for getting smaller. If you are talking about age, it is the standard choice. If you are talking about physical size in a general sense, it works perfectly. However, as you advance, try to notice if a more specific verb like 'yataqallaṣu' (for budgets) or 'yankamishu' (for fabrics) might be more appropriate. Comparing these words helps you understand the 'semantic field' of smallness in Arabic. For example, 'yanquṣu' means to decrease in number or quantity, while 'yasghuru' is more about the physical or status-based size of a single entity. Mastering these distinctions is what separates an A2 learner from a B1 speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root S-G-R is the basis for the word 'Sighar' (childhood), highlighting the intrinsic link between being small and being young in the Arabic mind.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈjas.ɣu.ru/

US /ˈjæs.ɡuː.ru/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: YAS-ghuru.

Rhymes With

يكبر (yakburu) يشعر (yash'uru) يشكر (yashkuru) يظهر (yaẓharu) يهجر (yahjuru) يعبر (ya'buru) يسكر (yaskuru) ينشر (yanshuru)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'gh' as a hard 'g' like 'gas'.
Confusing the vowels (saying yusaghhiru instead of yasghuru).
Failure to roll or tap the 'r' at the end.
Adding an extra vowel between 's' and 'gh'.
Making the 'u' sound too long like 'oo' in 'food'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize the root S-G-R, though unvocalized text requires context to distinguish from Form II.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation and understanding of its intransitive nature.

Speaking 3/5

The 'ghayn' and 'ra' sounds in succession can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear root sounds make it relatively easy to pick out in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

صغير (Saghir) كبير (Kabir) يكبر (Yakburu) عمر ('Umr) حجم (Hajm)

Learn Next

يصغر (Yusaghhiru - Form II) يتقلص (Yataqallaṣu) يتضاءل (Yataḍā'alu) ينكمش (Yankamishu) تصغير (Tasghir)

Advanced

الاضمحلال (Al-Iḍmiḥlāl) التضاؤل (Al-Taḍā'ul) القزامة (Al-Qazāmah) التصاغر (Al-Taṣāghur) الصغار (Al-Ṣighār)

Grammar to Know

Form I Verbs (State Change)

صغر (saghura) follows the pattern of verbs describing a change in state or quality.

Age Comparison Prepositions

Use 'an' (عن) or pronominal suffixes (ني، ك، ه) with 'yasgharu' for age.

Non-Human Plural Agreement

الملابس تصغر (The clothes [plural] shrink [feminine singular verb]).

Transitive vs Intransitive (Form I vs II)

يصغر (yasghuru - it shrinks) vs يُصغر (yusaghhiru - he makes it shrink).

Comparative Adjectives from Verbs

From 'yasghuru' we get 'asghar' (smaller/youngest).

Examples by Level

التفاحة تصغر.

The apple becomes smaller.

Feminine singular subject 'at-tuffāḥa' requires the verb to start with 'ta'.

هذا الولد يصغر.

This boy is getting smaller (maybe in a photo).

Masculine singular subject 'al-walad' uses 'ya'.

الكرة تصغر الآن.

The ball is becoming smaller now.

Present tense indicates an ongoing action.

أخي يصغرني.

My brother is younger than me.

Here the verb refers to age comparison.

البيت يصغر في البعيد.

The house becomes smaller in the distance.

'Fi al-ba'id' means 'in the distance'.

هل القميص يصغر؟

Does the shirt become smaller?

Question format using 'hal'.

الحجر يصغر.

The stone becomes smaller (e.g., through erosion).

Simple subject-verb sentence.

قطعة الثلج تصغر.

The piece of ice is getting smaller.

Feminine subject 'qiṭ'at' because of the first word in the construct.

يصغر القميص إذا غسلته بماء ساخن.

The shirt shrinks if you wash it with hot water.

Conditional sentence using 'idha'.

أختي تصغر أخي بسنتين.

My sister is younger than my brother by two years.

Use of 'bi' to specify the duration of the age gap.

كلما مشينا بعيداً، تصغر الأشجار.

Whenever we walk far away, the trees become smaller.

'Kullama' is used for 'whenever' or 'the more... the more'.

يصغر حجم الملف عند ضغطه.

The file size becomes smaller when compressed.

'Inda' means 'when' or 'at the time of'.

هل تصغر هذه الملابس بعد الغسيل؟

Do these clothes shrink after washing?

Plural non-human subject 'malābis' takes a feminine singular verb.

يصغر القمر في آخر الشهر.

The moon becomes smaller at the end of the month.

Refers to the waning phase of the moon.

المشكلة تصغر عندما نتحدث عنها.

The problem becomes smaller when we talk about it.

Metaphorical use of 'tasghuru'.

هو يصغرني في العمر.

He is younger than me in age.

Adding 'fi al-'umr' clarifies that it's about age.

بدأ عدد الطلاب يصغر في هذه المدرسة.

The number of students started to decrease in this school.

Verb following 'bada'a' (started to).

يصغر دور الشركة في السوق العالمية.

The company's role is shrinking in the global market.

Abstract use referring to influence or market share.

عندما نكبر، تصغر أحلامنا أحياناً.

When we grow up, our dreams sometimes become smaller.

Contrast between 'nakburu' and 'tasghuru'.

يصغر حجم الثقب الأسود نظرياً.

The size of the black hole shrinks theoretically.

Scientific context using 'naẓariyyan'.

لا تدع المشكلة تصغر في عينيك.

Do not let the problem seem small in your eyes (insignificant).

Jussive mood after 'la' (prohibitive).

يصغر الرجل في عيني إذا كذب.

A man becomes small in my eyes if he lies.

Idiomatic expression for losing respect.

المساحة المتاحة تصغر يوماً بعد يوم.

The available space is shrinking day after day.

Present continuous sense with 'yawman ba'da yawm'.

يصغر الخط في أسفل الصفحة.

The font becomes smaller at the bottom of the page.

Refers to typography.

يصغر الفارق بين الفريقين مع نهاية المباراة.

The gap between the two teams shrinks towards the end of the match.

Refers to a points or goals gap.

تصغر قيمة العملة بسبب التضخم.

The value of the currency shrinks due to inflation.

Economic context.

يصغر احتمال النجاح إذا لم نستعد جيداً.

The probability of success shrinks if we do not prepare well.

Abstract concept of probability.

كلما تعمقنا في العلم، يصغر شعورنا بالغرور.

The deeper we go into science, the more our sense of vanity shrinks.

Philosophical use regarding character traits.

يصغر نفوذ المدير بعد استقالته.

The manager's influence shrinks after his resignation.

'Nufūdh' means influence or authority.

تصغر دائرة الأصدقاء مع تقدم العمر.

The circle of friends shrinks with age.

Common social observation.

يصغر حجم الجليد في القطبين بسبب الحرارة.

The size of the ice at the poles is shrinking due to heat.

Environmental/Scientific context.

يصغر العالم بفضل وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي.

The world is becoming smaller thanks to social media.

Metaphor for global connectivity.

يصغر الكيان الصهيوني في الوجدان العالمي.

The entity shrinks in the global consciousness.

Political and philosophical register.

يصغر المرء أمام عظمة الخالق.

Man becomes small before the greatness of the Creator.

Spiritual/Theological context.

تصغر الأنا في حضرة الحب الحقيقي.

The ego shrinks in the presence of true love.

Psychological/Literary use.

يصغر حجم الخلاف عندما تتوحد الرؤى.

The scale of the dispute shrinks when visions unite.

Formal diplomatic language.

يصغر شأن الظالم مهما علا جوره.

The status of the oppressor shrinks no matter how great his injustice.

Ethical/Moral statement.

يصغر المدى البصري في الضباب الكثيف.

The visual range shrinks in thick fog.

Technical/Descriptive language.

يصغر الفارق الطبقي من خلال التعليم.

The class gap shrinks through education.

Sociological context.

يصغر حجم العينة في الدراسات الإحصائية الدقيقة.

The sample size shrinks in precise statistical studies.

Academic/Statistical context.

يصغر الوجود في عيني الزاهد.

Existence itself becomes small in the eyes of the ascetic.

High-level spiritual philosophy.

تصغر التحديات أمام الإرادة الفولاذية.

Challenges shrink before a steely will.

Rhetorical/Inspirational register.

يصغر الظل حتى يتلاشى في الزوال.

The shadow shrinks until it vanishes at the meridian.

Precise astronomical description.

يصغر كل عظيم أمام جبروت القدر.

Every great thing becomes small before the might of destiny.

Fatalistic literary theme.

يصغر حجم المادة في الثقوب السوداء حتى الانضغاط اللامتناهي.

Matter shrinks in black holes until infinite compression.

Advanced physics terminology.

يصغر المرء في نفسه ليعظم في ربه.

One becomes small in oneself to become great in one's Lord.

Sufi/Mystical paradox.

يصغر هامش الخطأ في الأنظمة السيبرانية المتقدمة.

The margin of error shrinks in advanced cyber systems.

High-tech formal register.

يصغر وجه الأرض أمام اتساع المجرات.

The face of the Earth shrinks before the vastness of the galaxies.

Cosmological scale comparison.

Common Collocations

يصغر حجمه

يصغر في عيني

يصغر عن أقرانه

يصغر تدريجياً

يصغر شأنه

يصغر الفارق

يصغر الأمل

يصغر الظل

يصغر المدى

يصغر في السن

Common Phrases

يصغر عقله

— To act childishly or have a small mind. It implies lack of maturity.

لا تصغر عقلك وتجادل في تفاهات.

يصغر قلبه

— To become fearful or lose courage. Often used in literary contexts.

صغر قلبه أمام هول الموقف.

يصغر في المقام

— To lose social standing or rank. It describes a fall from grace.

يصغر في المقام من لا يحترم الكبير.

يصغر حجم الملف

— To reduce the file size. Common in computer terminology.

يصغر حجم الملف بعد الضغط.

يصغر عن الحقيقة

— To be less than the truth. Used to describe an understatement.

كلامه يصغر عن الحقيقة المرة.

يصغر في عيون الناس

— To lose respect in the eyes of the public. A social warning.

الخائن يصغر في عيون الناس.

يصغر مع الزمن

— To diminish as time passes. Used for memories or physical objects.

الحزن يصغر مع الزمن.

يصغر تحت الضغط

— To shrink under pressure. Used physically or psychologically.

المعدن يصغر تحت الضغط الشديد.

يصغر في المواجهة

— To appear weak or small during a confrontation.

يصغر الجبان في المواجهة.

يصغر الفجوة

— To narrow the gap. Used for social or physical distances.

الحوار يصغر الفجوة بيننا.

Often Confused With

يصغر vs يُصَغِّر (Yusaghhiru)

This is Form II and means 'to make small' or 'to belittle'. It is transitive.

يصغر vs يَنْقُص (Yanquṣu)

Means 'to decrease' in number or amount, whereas 'yasghuru' is usually about size or age.

يصغر vs يَخْفَت (Yakhfatu)

Used specifically for light or sound becoming weaker/smaller.

Idioms & Expressions

"صغر في عينه"

— To lose respect for someone completely. It means the person appears insignificant now.

بعد أن عرفت الحقيقة، صغر في عيني.

Informal/Neutral

"يصغر نفسه"

— To humble oneself or, negatively, to behave in a way that lowers one's dignity.

لا تصغر نفسك أمام هؤلاء الناس.

Neutral

"يصغر الدنيا"

— To make light of worldly troubles or to see the world as insignificant.

المؤمن يصغر الدنيا في قلبه.

Religious/Literary

"يصغر شأنه"

— To be belittled or to have one's importance reduced by others.

يصغر شأن المرء بسوء خلقه.

Formal

"يصغر في السن"

— To be younger than someone else. A standard way to compare ages.

هو يصغرني بعشر سنوات.

Neutral

"يصغر حجمه الطبيعي"

— To shrink below its normal or expected size.

يصغر حجمه الطبيعي بسبب البرد.

Scientific

"يصغر الخطوة"

— To take small steps, either literally or metaphorically (being cautious).

بدأ يصغر الخطوة لخوفه من السقوط.

Literary

"يصغر الميزان"

— To lose weight or value on a scale. Often used for gold or precious items.

يصغر الميزان إذا نقصت الجودة.

Commercial

"يصغر في الطلب"

— To become less requested or desired in the market.

يصغر في الطلب مع ظهور بدائل أفضل.

Economic

"يصغر الوجع"

— The pain becomes less intense or easier to bear over time.

يصغر الوجع مع مرور الأيام.

Poetic

Easily Confused

يصغر vs صغير

Both share the same root.

'Saghir' is an adjective (small), while 'yasghuru' is a verb (to become small).

الولد صغير (The boy is small) vs الولد يصغر (The boy is getting smaller).

يصغر vs أصغر

Both relate to comparison.

'Asghar' is the comparative adjective (smaller/youngest), 'yasghuru' is the verb.

هو أصغر مني (He is smaller than me) vs هو يصغرني (He is younger than me).

يصغر vs ينكمش

Both mean to shrink.

'Yankamishu' is specifically for physical shriveling or contraction of materials.

ينكمش الجلد (Skin shrivels) vs يصغر القمر (Moon becomes smaller).

يصغر vs يتقلص

Both mean to reduce.

'Yataqallaṣu' is more formal and often used for budgets or muscles.

تتقلص الميزانية (The budget shrinks).

يصغر vs يتضاءل

Both mean to diminish.

'Yataḍā'alu' is usually for abstract things like light, hope, or influence.

يتضاءل الضوء (The light diminishes).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] يصغر.

الثلج يصغر.

[Subject] يصغرني بـ [Time].

هو يصغرني بسنة.

[Subject] يصغر بعد [Action].

الثوب يصغر بعد الغسيل.

يصغر [Noun] في عيني.

يصغر الكاذب في عيني.

كلما [Verb], يصغر [Subject].

كلما ابتعدنا، يصغر البيت.

يصغر حجم [Noun] تدريجياً.

يصغر حجم الورم تدريجياً.

يصغر شأن [Noun] أمام [Noun].

يصغر شأن المال أمام الصحة.

يصغر [Noun] حتى التلاشي.

يصغر الظل حتى التلاشي.

Word Family

Nouns

صغر (sighar) - smallness/youth

صغير (saghir) - small (adj/noun)

أصغر (asghar) - smaller/youngest

تصغير (tasghir) - diminution/minimization

صاغر (ṣāghir) - humiliated/belittled (participle)

Verbs

صغر (saghura) - to become small (past)

صغر (sagghara) - to make small/belittle (Form II)

تصاغر (taṣāghara) - to act small/humble oneself (Form VI)

Adjectives

صغير (saghir) - small

صغيرة (saghirah) - small (fem)

صغار (ṣighār) - small (plural)

أصغر (asghar) - smaller

طفولة (ṭufūlah) - childhood

قليل (qalīl) - few/little

ضئيل (ḍa'īl) - tiny

مجهري (mijhārī) - microscopic

مختصر (mukhtaṣar) - shortened

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Arabic.

Common Mistakes

هو يصغرني من خمس سنوات. → هو يصغرني بخمس سنوات.
Use the preposition 'bi' to specify the duration of time, not 'min'.
أنا يصغر من أخي. → أنا أصغر من أخي.
For a static comparison (I am smaller than), use the adjective 'asghar'. Use the verb only for the action of being younger or becoming smaller.
يصغر الولد المشكلة. → يُصَغِّر الولد المشكلة.
If the boy is making the problem small, you must use the transitive Form II (yusaghhiru).
التفاح يصغر. → التفاح يصغر / التفاحة تصغر.
Ensure the verb agrees with the gender. If using the collective noun 'tuffāḥ', it is masculine. If 'tuffāḥa', it is feminine.
يصغر حجم الملفات. → تصغر أحجام الملفات.
If the subject is a non-human plural (aḥjām), the verb should be feminine singular (tasghuru).

Tips

Watch the Form

Remember that Form I (yasghuru) is about the subject's own change. If you are changing something else, use Form II.

The Ghayn Sound

The 'gh' is like gargling water. Practice it to make the verb sound authentic.

Root Learning

Learn the root S-G-R. Once you know it, words like Saghir, Asghar, and Yasghuru all become easy to remember.

Age Comparison

In A2 level, focus on using it for age. It's the most common way to describe younger siblings.

Gender Agreement

Always check if your subject is feminine. If so, use 'tasghuru' instead of 'yasghuru'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'an' after it, it's almost certainly about age. If you hear 'hajm' (size), it's about physical dimension.

Humility

Use it to describe humility in formal writing to show a high level of cultural understanding.

The Shrinking Balloon

Visualize a balloon with the word 'BIG' on it. As it 'yasghuru', the letters get smaller.

Daily Objects

Describe things melting or shrinking in your daily life using the verb to build muscle memory.

Opposites

Always pair it in your mind with 'yakburu' (to grow). This helps you remember both verbs.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'yasghuru' as 'Yes, grow... U-turn'. Instead of growing bigger, it does a U-turn and becomes smaller.

Visual Association

Imagine a balloon slowly losing air. The sound it makes is a faint 'ghhhhh' like the middle letter of the verb.

Word Web

Saghir (Small) Sighar (Youth) Asghar (Youngest) Tasghir (Shrinking) Yusaghhiru (To belittle) Saghura (He was small) Saghira (She was small) Musagghar (Miniature)

Challenge

Try to find five things in your house that 'yasghuru' over time (like a soap bar, a candle, or a bag of chips) and say the sentence in Arabic.

Word Origin

From the ancient Semitic root S-G-R, which is found in various forms across the Afroasiatic language family.

Original meaning: To be small, young, or of low status.

Semitic -> Arabic.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'yasghuru' about a person's status, as it can be interpreted as a sign of disrespect or humiliation unless intended as a compliment on their humility.

English speakers often use 'shrink' for both transitive and intransitive; in Arabic, 'yasghuru' is strictly the thing itself getting smaller.

Used in various Hadiths to describe humility. Appears in modern Arabic literature to describe the 'shrinking' of the Palestinian territories. Commonly heard in Arabic dubbed scientific documentaries (e.g., National Geographic Abu Dhabi).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Laundry/Clothing

يصغر في الغسيل
يصغر بسبب الحرارة
تصغر الملابس
هل سيصغر الثوب؟

Family/Age

يصغرني في السن
يصغر عن أخته
تصغرني بخمس سنوات
هو الأصغر

Nature/Science

يصغر حجم الخلية
يصغر القمر
يصغر الظل
يصغر الجليد

Social/Moral

يصغر في نظري
يصغر شأنه
لا تصغر نفسك
يصغر عقله

Technology

يصغر حجم الملف
يصغر الجهاز
يصغر المعالج
تصغر الشاشة

Conversation Starters

"هل تعتقد أن العالم يصغر بفضل الإنترنت؟ (Do you think the world is getting smaller thanks to the internet?)"

"كم سنة يصغرك أخوك؟ (How many years younger than you is your brother?)"

"لماذا تصغر الملابس بعد غسلها بالماء الحار؟ (Why do clothes shrink after washing them with hot water?)"

"هل يصغر الأمل مع تقدم العمر؟ (Does hope shrink with age?)"

"متى يصغر ظل الإنسان؟ (When does a person's shadow become smaller?)"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن موقف صغر فيه شخص ما في عينيك. (Write about a situation where someone became small in your eyes.)

صف كيف يصغر حجم الأشياء عندما تنظر إليها من الطائرة. (Describe how the size of things shrinks when you look at them from a plane.)

هل تشعر أن وقتك يصغر كلما زادت مسؤولياتك؟ (Do you feel that your time shrinks as your responsibilities increase?)

اكتب عن أخ أو أخت تصغرك في السن. (Write about a brother or sister who is younger than you.)

كيف يصغر العالم في نظرك عندما تسافر؟ (How does the world become smaller in your view when you travel?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is also the primary verb used to say someone is younger than someone else. For example, 'Ahmad yasgharu 'an 'Ali' means Ahmad is younger than Ali. It can also be used metaphorically for status.

The past tense is 'saghura' (صَغُرَ). For example, 'saghura al-qamiṣ' means 'the shirt became small' or 'the shirt shrank'.

You say: 'هو يصغرني بخمس سنوات' (Huwa yasghurunī bi-khamsi sanawāt).

While technically possible, it is more common to use 'yan-khafiḍu' (to drop) or 'yan-quṣu' (to decrease) for prices. 'Yasghuru' is better for physical size.

No. 'Yasghuru' is Form I (it becomes small). 'Yusaghhiru' is Form II (someone makes it small). This is a very important distinction in Arabic grammar.

The form for 'we' is 'naṣghuru' (نَصْغُرُ). For example, 'We become small before the mountain' is 'naṣghuru amāma al-jabal'.

Usually 'an' (عن) is used, or a direct pronominal suffix like 'ni' (me) in 'yasghuruni'.

Yes, but the pronunciation changes. In Egyptian, it might be 'yisghar'. The meaning remains the same across most dialects.

It is rarely used for numbers. 'Yanquṣu' (decreases) or 'yaqillu' (becomes less) are preferred for numerical values.

It is an idiom meaning 'to lose respect for someone'. Literally, 'he becomes small in my eye'.