Broken Plurals
Unlike regular plurals that simply add a suffix to the end of the word, many Arabic nouns form their plural by altering their internal vowels or adding extra letters. These are called "broken plurals."
Because broken plurals follow several different internal patterns, it is best to memorize the plural form alongside the singular noun.
| The work days are long. | أيام العمل طويلة.ayyâmu al-'amali tawîlah |
| We have old films. | عندنا أفلام قديمة.'indanâ aflâmun qadîmah |
Non-Human Plurals are Feminine Singular
Here is one of the most important rules in Arabic grammar: all non-human plurals are treated as feminine singular.
When you talk about groups of inanimate objects, places, or concepts—such as days (أيام), months (أشهر), or banks (بنوك)—they are grammatically feminine singular.
This means that any adjectives describing them must take the feminine singular form (ending in the tied taa', ة). Notice how the singular adjectives in the sentences below describe plural words:
| The days of the week are long. | أيام الأسبوع طويلة.ayyâmu l-usbû'i tawîlah. |
| The months of the year are fast. | أشهر العام سريعة.ashhurul-âmi sarîah |
| Are the banks closed now? | هل البنوك مغلقة الآن؟hal albunûku mughlaqatun al'âna? |
Pointing to Non-Human Plurals
Because non-human plurals are treated as feminine singular, you must also use the feminine singular word for "this" or "these" (هذه) when pointing to them, rather than a plural word.
| These years and months are fast. | هذه الأعوام والأشهر سريعة.hâdhihi al-a'wâmu wal-ash'huru sarî'ah |
| These places are in hot countries. | هذه الأماكن في بلاد حارة.hâdhihi al-amâkinu fî bilâdin hârratin |
| What are these new things? | ما هذه الأشياء الجديدة؟mâ hâdhihi l-ashyâ'u l-jadîdah? |
