dak / dik / dawk

That and Those

Level 1

dak = that, masculine; dik = that, feminine; dawk = those.

How It Works

Dak, dik and dawk express “that” and “those,” contrasting with dan, din and dawn, “this” and “these.” Choose dak for masculine singular reference, dik for feminine singular reference, and dawk for plural reference of either gender.

Before an ordinary common noun, retain the definite article. Compare dan il-ktieb, “this book,” with dak il-ktieb, “that book.” The pointing word changes while the noun and article remain the same. The article's consonant follows its own sound-conditioned rules.

Compare dik il-pittura, “that painting,” with dawk il-pitturi, “those paintings.” Both the noun and demonstrative mark the change to plural reference. These forms can also refer independently to an understood item or group; an explicit noun is not required every time.

Examples (4)

  1. dak il-ktieb

    that book

    Masculine singular noun-phrase fragment.

  2. dik il-pittura

    that painting

    Feminine singular noun-phrase fragment.

  3. dak il-ġelat

    that ice cream

    Masculine singular fragment; ġ does not trigger article assimilation.

  4. dawk il-pitturi

    those paintings

    Plural fragment with the attested plural pitturi.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

dak / dik / dawkLevel 1That and Those

Learn This First

Extend demonstrative reference from this/these to that/those. The book and painting phrases show what changes with distance and number while the lesson itself explains retention of the noun's article.