Pointing at a Definite Noun

Level 1

Demonstrative + Definite Noun (with الـ) = A phrase (e.g., 'this book').
Demonstrative + Indefinite Noun = A sentence (e.g., 'this is a book').

How It Works

This pattern is the standard way to create demonstrative phrases in Arabic. It consists of two parts: the Ism al-Ishāra (demonstrative pronoun) and the Mushār ilayh (the thing pointed at).

1. The Role of the Article:
The presence of the definite article الـ is what turns the combination into a single unit (a phrase). Without the article, the two words form a simple equational sentence. However, if you want to say "This is the book" (making the second part definite), you can insert a separating pronoun to make clear that the second part is the predicate (with a proper name none is needed: هذا محمد):

  • هذا الكتابُ (Hādhā al-kitāb) = This book... (phrase)
  • هذا كتابٌ (Hādhā kitāb) = This is a book. (sentence)
  • هذا هو الكتابُ (Hādhā huwa al-kitāb) = This is the book. (sentence)

2. Agreement Rules:
The demonstrative must match the noun in gender and number. Remember the rule for non-human plurals: they are treated as feminine singular (e.g., هذه الكتب).

3. Case and the Dual:
While most demonstratives are fixed, the dual forms are special because they change based on case. هذان (masculine) and هاتان (feminine) are used for the subject, but they change to هذين and هاتين when they are objects or follow a preposition.

4. Pronunciation:
When speaking, the 'a' sound at the start of the definite article is dropped (elided) because of the connecting hamza. So, hādhā al-bayt sounds like hādhāl-bayt.

Examples (6)

  1. هذا الكتابُ مفيدٌ.

    This book is useful.

    Word by Word: This the-book useful.

    Here, 'this book' acts as the subject. The 'al-' on 'kitāb' makes it a phrase rather than a sentence.

  2. هذا هو الكتابُ.

    This is the book.

    Word by Word: This he the-book.

    To say 'This is the book' (a sentence with a definite noun), we can insert a separating pronoun between the demonstrative and the noun.

  3. قرأتُ تلكَ الروايةَ.

    I read that novel.

    Word by Word: I-read that the-novel.

    The demonstrative 'tilka' (that, feminine) matches the feminine noun 'riwāya'. The noun takes the 'a' ending because it is the object.

  4. هذان الطالبانِ مجتهدانِ.

    These two students are hardworking.

    Word by Word: These (dual) the-students (dual) hardworking (dual).

    In the dual, the demonstrative matches the noun. Note that 'hadhani' changes to 'hadhayni' if it is an object or after a preposition.

  5. هذه المدنُ كبيرةٌ.

    These cities are big.

    Word by Word: This (fem. sing.) the-cities big.

    Because 'cities' is a non-human plural, we use the feminine singular demonstrative 'hādhihi'.

  6. هؤلاءِ الطلابُ من مصر.

    These students are from Egypt.

    Word by Word: These the-students from Egypt.

    For human plurals, we use the plural demonstrative 'hā'ulā'i'.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the definite article 'al-' when you want to say 'this [noun]'.

    Different Meaningهذا كتاب جديد
    هذا الكتاب الجديد

    هذا كتاب جديد is a correct sentence meaning "This is a new book". To say "this new book", include the article: هذا الكتاب الجديد.

  • Using plural demonstratives for non-human objects.

    هؤلاء الكتب قديمة
    هذه الكتب قديمة

    In Modern Standard Arabic, non-human plurals are treated as feminine singular. Use 'hādhihi' for 'these' when referring to objects.

How It Connects

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Pointing at a Definite NounLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand how to point at a specific object (e.g., 'this book'), you must first be familiar with the definite article 'al-', the basic demonstrative pronouns like 'hatha', and how these components differ from a standard subject-predicate sentence structure.

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Words in This Pattern

هذاذلك