Indefinite Nouns and Tanween
Arabic does not have words for "a" or "an". A noun is naturally indefinite on its own. In formal grammar, an indefinite noun takes a doubled vowel marker called Tanween. For basic nouns, this is written as two small loops (ـٌ) above the final letter.
In everyday reading and writing, this ending is often omitted, and you simply see the bare word.
Simple Nominal Sentences
An Arabic nominal sentence consists of a subject (مبتدأ) and a predicate (خبر). Because Arabic does not use words for "is" or "are" in the present tense, you form a complete sentence simply by placing two words side by side.
Pair a definite subject with an indefinite predicate to create simple equations:
| The book is new. | الكتاب جديد.al-kitâbu jadîdun. |
| The pen is old. | القلم قديم.al-qalamu qadîmun |
Describing Indefinite Nouns
Adjectives must follow the noun they modify. If a noun is indefinite, its adjective must also be indefinite.
| He is a tall student. | هو طالب طويل.huwa tâlibun tawîl |
| I am a new student. | أنا طالب جديد.ana tâlibun jadîdun |
Questions and Connectors
Turn descriptive sentences into yes/no questions using هل, or connect them with the prefix و (and).
| Is the house spacious? | هل البيت واسع؟hal al-baytu wâsi'? |
| Yes, the house is spacious. | نعم، البيت واسع.na'am, al-baytu wâsi' |
| The mountain is big and the sea is wide. | الجبل كبير والبحر واسع.al-jabalu kabîrun wa-l-bahru wâsiun |
Gender Agreement
Adjectives must match the gender of the noun they describe. If the subject is feminine (typically ending in ة), the adjective must also take the feminine marker ة.
| The tree is tall and the flower is small. | الشجرة طويلة والزهرة صغيرة.ash-shajaratu tawîlatun wazzahratu saghîratun |
| Is the city old? | هل المدينة قديمة؟hali al-madînatu qadîma? |
| No, it is a new city. | لا، هي مدينة جديدة.lâ, hiya madînatun jadîdah |
