Pronouns in Arabic - الضَّمَائِرُ
Introduction
Pronouns, integral components in the structure of languages, serve as stand-ins or replacements for nouns, providing fluidity and context to our sentences. Think of them as shorthand markers, represented by words like “he,” “her,” “their,” “I,” and so on.
In the vast and intricate realm of Arabic grammar, pronouns are broadly categorized into two distinct types:
-
Attached Pronouns (الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ): As the name suggests, these pronouns are intrinsically linked to a preceding or succeeding noun, verb, or particle. They seamlessly blend in, offering additional layers of meaning to the word they’re attached to.
-
Detached Pronouns (الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ): Operating with a sense of autonomy, these pronouns stand alone without anchoring themselves to a verb, noun, or particle. They maintain their distinct identity in a sentence, providing clarity in expressions and statements.
Diving into these two categories will unlock the nuances of how Arabic, as a language, utilizes pronouns to convey depth, context, and specificity.
1. Categorization of Pronouns
Pronouns in the Arabic language are intricate and diverse, reflecting the language’s depth and precision. Their categorization is based on several criteria, encompassing conversation, gender, and number.
1. Based on Participants in Conversation (الْكَلامُ):
- Third-person (الْغَائِبُ): Refers to someone who is not present in the conversation, e.g., “he” or “she.”
- Second person (الْمُخَاطَبُ): Directly addresses the person or people one is speaking to, e.g., “you.”
- First-person (الْمُتَكَلِّمُ): Refers to the speaker themselves, e.g., “I” or “we.”
2. Based on Gender (الْجِنْسُ):
- Masculine (المُذَكَّرُ): Used for male entities or general references.
- Feminine (الْمُؤَنَّفُ): Used for female entities.
3. Based on Number (الْعَدَدُ):
- Singular (الْمُفْرَدُ): Refers to one individual or thing.
- Dual (المُثَنَّى): Unique to Arabic, this form specifically refers to two individuals or things.
- Plural (الْجَمْعُ): Refers to three or more individuals or things.
An intriguing distinction of Arabic is its explicit recognition of the dual form (المُثَنَّى) which stands separate from singular and plural, highlighting the language’s attention to detail and differentiation.
A. Third Person Pronouns - الضَّمَائِرُ لِلْغَائِبِ
Given their frequent appearance in the Qur’an, we’ll begin our exploration with these.
Table for Masculine third-person pronouns - مُذكر غَائِب
Detached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Singular
هُوَ
He
Dual
هُمَا
They two
Plural
هُمْ
They all
Attached pronouns in arabic - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ
Singular
هُ
His
Dual
هُمَا
Theirs (two)
Plural
هُمْ
their (all)
Singular
لَهُ
For him
Dual
لَهُمَا
For them (two)
Plural
لَهُمْ
For them (all)
Singular
إِيَّاهُ
Only him
Dual
إِيَّاهُما
Only them (two)
Plural
إِيَّاهُمَا
Only them (all)
Table for feminine third-person pronouns - مُؤَنَّثُ غَائِب
Detached pronouns in arabic - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Singular
هِيَ
She
Dual
هُمَا
They (two)
Plural
هُنَّ
They (all)
Attached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ
Singular
هَا
Her
Dual
هُمَا
Their (two)
Plural
هُنَّ
Their (all)
Singular
لَها
For her
Dual
لَهُمَا
For them (two)
Plural
لَهُنَّ
For them (all)
Singular
إِيَّاهَا
Only her
Dual
إَيَّاهُمَا
Only them (two)
Plural
إِيَّاهُنَّ
Only them (all)
Illustrations of Detached Pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Detached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Singular
هُوَ مُسْلِمٌ
He is muslim
Dual
هُمَا مُسْلِمَانِ
They are both muslims
Plural
هُم مُسْلِمُوْنَ
They are muslims
Attached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ
Singular
هِيَ مُسْلِمَةٌ
She is muslim
Dual
هُمَا مُسْلِمَتَانِ
They are both muslims
Plural
هُنَّ مُسْلِمَاتٌ
They are muslims
Illustrations of Detached Pronouns with a noun- الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Detached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Singular
رَبُّهُ
His Lord
Dual
رَبُّهُمَا
Their Lord
Plural
رَبُهُمْ
Their Lord
Attached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ
Singular
رَبُّهَا
Her Lord
Dual
رَبُّهُمَا
Their Lord
Plural
رَبُّهُنَّ
Their Lord
Examples of attached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ with a verb:
Detached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Singular
خَلَقَهُ
He created him
Dual
خَلَقَهُمَا
He created them
Plural
خَلَقَهُم
He created them
Attached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ
Singular
خَلَقَهَا
He created her
Dual
خَلَقَهُمَا
He created them
Plural
خَلَقَهُنَّ
He created them
Illustrations from the Qur'an
فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ
But Satan whispered to them (7:20)
وَقَاسَمَهُمَا إِنِّي لَكُمَا لَمِنَ النَّاصِحِينَ
And he swore [by Allah] to them, “Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors.” (7:21)
أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ
that you do not worship except Him(17:23)
إِذْ هُمْ عَلَيْهَا قُعُودٌ
And they, to what they were doing against the believers, were witnesses. (85:6)
وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
You, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. (2:4)
B. Second Person Pronouns الضَّمَائِرُ لِلْمُخَاطَبِ
Chart of Second-Person Masculine Pronouns - الضَّمَائِرُ لِلْمُذَكَرِ لِلْمُخَاطَبِالضَّمَائِرُ لِلْمُخَاطَبِ
Detached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Singular
أَنْتَ
You
Dual
أَنْتُما
You both
Plural
أَنْتُمْ
You all
Attached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ
Singular
كَ
Yours
Dual
كُمَا
Yours both
Plural
كُمْ
Yours all
Singular
لَكَ
For you
Dual
لَكُمَا
For you both
Plural
لَكُمْ
For you all
Singular
إِيَّأكَ
Only from you
Dual
إِيَّاكُما
Only from you both
Plural
إِيَّاكُمْ
Only from you all
Chart of Second-Person Feminine Pronouns - الضَّمَائِرُ لِلْمُؤَنَّثِ لِلْمُخَاطَبِ
Detached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Singular
أَنْتِ
You
Dual
أَنْتُمَا
You both
Plural
أَنْتُنَّ
You all
Attached pronouns - الضَّمِيْرُ الْمُتَّصِلُ
Singular
كَ
Yours
Dual
كُمَا
Yours two
Plural
كُمْ
Yours all
Singular
كِ
Yours
Dual
كُمَا
Yours two
Plural
كُنَّ
Yours all
Singular
لَكِ
For you
Dual
لَكُمَا
For both of two
Plural
لَكُنَّ
For you all
Singular
إِيَّاكِ
Only from you
Dual
إِيَّاكُمَا
Only from you two
Plural
إِيَّاكُنَّ
Only from you all
Illustrations of Detached Pronouns - الضَّمَائِرُ الْمُنْفَصِلُ
Masculine
Singular
أَنْتَ مُسْلِمٌ
You are Muslim
Dual
أَنْتُمَا مُسْلِمَانِ
You are both Muslims
Plural
أَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُوْنَ
You are all Muslims
Feminine
Singular
أَنْتِ مُسْلِمَةٌ
You are Muslim
Dual
أَنْتُمَا مُسْلِمَتَانِ
You are both Muslims
Plural
أَنْتُنَّ مُسْلِمَاتٌ
You are all Muslims
Illustrations of Pronouns Attached to Nouns
Masculine
Singular
رَبُّكَ
Your Lord
Dual
رَبُّكُمَا
Lord of you both
Plural
رَبُّكُمْ
Lord of you all
Feminine
Singular
رَبُّكِ
Your Lord
Dual
رَبُّكُمَا
Lord of you both
Plural
رَبُّكُنَّ
Lord of you all
Illustrations of Pronouns Affixed to Verbs
Masculine
Singular
خَلَقَكَ
He created you
Dual
خَلَقَكُمَا
He created you both
Plural
خَلَقَكُمْ
He created you all
Feminine
Singular
خَلَقَكِ
He created you
Dual
خَلَقَكُمَا
He created you both
Plural
خَلَقَكُنَّ
He created you all
Qur'anic Illustrations of Pronouns:
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
They said, “Exalted are You; we do not know what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.” (2:32)
وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ
And We said, “O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise (2:35)
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
It is You we worship and You we ask for help. (1:5)
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ
Did We not expand for you, [O Muhammad], your breast? (94:1)
يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].” (3:43)
C. First Person Pronoun - الضَّمَائِرُ لِلْمُتَكَلَّمِ
In both the third and second persons, distinctions are made for singular, dual, and plural forms based on quantity. However, the uniqueness of Arabic becomes evident when observing the first-person perspective; unlike the third and second persons, it lacks a distinct dual form.
Specifically, the term “نَحْنُ” serves a dual purpose, representing both ‘we’ as a pair and ‘we’ as a group. This peculiarity aligns with English, where first-person pronouns do not differentiate between masculine and feminine genders. In essence, the linguistic nuances of Arabic offer a window into the cultural and linguistic intricacies of the language.
Illustrations of First-person (masculine/feminine)
Detached pronouns
Singular
أَنَا
I
Plural
نَحْنُ
We
Attached pronouns (To verb)
Singular
نِىْ
Me
Plural
نَا
Us
Singular
لِىْ
For me
Plural
لَنَا
For us
Singular
إِيَّاىَ
Only me
Plural
إِيَّانَا
Only us
Note: In the Arabic language, the use of attached pronouns varies based on their context. With nouns, these pronouns are seamlessly suffixed to the end, exemplified as (ى). On the other hand, when they complement verbs, the format slightly changes, often taking forms like (نِىْ) to denote possession or direct object relations.
رَبِّيْ
My Lord
خَلَقَنِيْ
He created me
Occasionally, in the first-person singular, the possessive pronoun “ى” isn’t directly affixed to the noun or verb. Instead, possession is denoted by placing a ‘kasrah’ beneath the final letter of the word.
أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ
I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me (2:186)
لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ
For you is your religion, and for me, is my religion.” (109:6)
The term "إنَّ" conveys the sense of "surely" or "certainly." It can be combined with pronouns for enhanced expression.
نَا + إِنَّ = إِنَّا
Surely we
كَ + إِنَّ = إِنَّكَ
Surely you
هُ + إِنَّ = إِنَّهُ
Surely he
Illustrations from the Noble Quran:
إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا
Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, (6:79)
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar. (108:1)
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا
Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance. (110:3)
Examples of detached pronouns
Masculine
Singular
أَنَا مُسْلِمٌ
I am a Muslim
Dual
نَحْنُ مُسْلِمَانِ
We two are Muslims
Plural
نَحْنُ مُسْلِمُوْنَ
We all are Muslims
Feminine
Singular
أَنَا مُسْلِمَةٌ
I am a Muslim
Dual
نَحْنُ مُسْلِمَتَانِ
We two are Muslims
Plural
نَحْنُ مُسْلِمَاتٌ
We all are Muslims
Illustrations of detached pronouns with a noun:
Masculine/Feminine
Singular
رَبِّيْ
My Lord
Plural
رَبُّنا
Our Lord
Illustrations of detached pronouns with a verb:
Masculine/Feminine
Singular
خَلَقَنِيْ
He created me
Plural
خَلَقَنِيْ
He created us
Illustrations from the Noble Quran:
قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ
And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.” (2:11)
مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا
about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad] (2:23)
وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ
we declare Your praise and sanctify You? (2:30)
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Conclusion
This lesson on Arabic nuances concludes here. Insha’Allah, our subsequent session will delve into the prepositions in Arabic.
Al-dirassa Institute invites you on a linguistic journey with our expert teachers to master the Arabic language. Should you wish to further your studies, we welcome your inquiries.
Chosen and Trusted by Thousands of Satisfied Learners
Discover the experiences of our delighted clients who have thoroughly enjoyed utilizing this standout feature.
Verified owner
Verified ownerAlhamdulillah I‘m very pleased with the arabic and Qur’an lessons I receive from teacher Umm Tasneem and I‘m also content with the al-dirassa administration team who were very quick in answering any questions I had. In a month I progressed a lot and I cannot wait to continue my studies with al-dirassa. May Allah reward everyone at al-dirassa.
Verified review - view original
Verified owner
Verified ownerMy Qur’an teacher is fantastic, she teaches me in a loving and kind way where I look forward to the lessons and learn so much. My Arabic teacher is equally as nice and has a lot of patience with me, she has great expertise in the field and I’ve progressed really quickly with her. Thank you Al-dirassa!
Verified review - view original
Verified ownerBook your free trial lesson
Don’t want to go through the translation anymore?
30 free minutes with your qualified Egyptian teacher.
