When emphasizing "both" of two items, Arabic uses specific dual quantifiers. When these quantifiers take an attached pronoun (meaning "both of them"), they behave like dual nouns. Their endings change to match the case (nominative, accusative, or genitive) and the gender of the nouns they emphasize.
Nominative Case
When referring to nouns in the nominative case (such as subjects), the quantifiers use an ا (alif) before the attached pronoun.
- For masculine nouns, use كلاهما
- For feminine nouns, use كلتاهما
| The two providers are both excellent. | المزودان كلاهما ممتازان.al-muzawwidâni kilâhumâ mumtâzâni. |
| The two tenders are both ready now. | المناقصتان كلتاهما جاهزتان الآن.al-munâqaṣatâni kiltâhumâ jâhizatâni al-âna |
Accusative and Genitive Cases
When the emphasized nouns are in the accusative case (such as direct objects) or the genitive case (such as after a preposition), the quantifier's ending changes from an ا (alif) to a ي (ya).
- For masculine nouns, use كليهما
- For feminine nouns, use كلتيهما
| The manager evaluated both bids. | قيم المدير العطاءين كليهما.qayyama al-mudîru al-'aTâ'ayni kilayhimâ |
| I read both technical specifications. | قرأت المواصفتين التقنيتين كلتيهما.qara'tu al-muwâsafatayni at-taqniyyatayni kiltayhimâ |
Because the dual endings for the accusative and genitive cases are identical, you use these exact same forms when the emphasized nouns follow a preposition.
| We talked with both providers about the duration of the commitment. | تحدثنا مع المزودين كليهما عن مدة الالتزام.tahaddathnâ ma'a al-muzawwidayni kilayhimâ 'an muddati al-iltizâm |
Summary
Here is a quick reference for the forms when attaching the third-person dual pronoun (هما) to mean "both of them":
| Gender | Nominative | Accusative / Genitive |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | كلاهما | كليهما |
| Feminine | كلتاهما | كلتيهما |
| If both providers agree to the specifications, then we will start the project. | إذا وافق المزودان كلاهما على المواصفات، فسنبدأ المشروع.idhâ wâfaqa al-muzawwidâni kilâhumâ ala al-muwâsafâti, fasanabda'u al-mashrûa. |
