Attached Object Pronouns
In Arabic, when a pronoun is the direct object of a verb (such as "him", "her", or "you"), it does not stand alone as a separate word. Instead, it attaches directly to the end of the verb as a suffix.
Let's start with the suffixes for "him" (ـه) and "her" (ـها).
| I know him. | أنا أعرفه.ana a'rifuhu |
To make a present tense verb negative, simply place the word لا (not) before it.
| The manager does not understand her. | المدير لا يفهمها.al-mudîru lâ yafhamuhâ |
The Object Pronoun "Me" (ـني)
To make "me" the direct object of a verb, attach ـني to the end of it. The extra "ن" helps protect the verb's final vowel before adding the pronoun.
| Do you know me? | هل تعرفني؟hal ta'rifunî |
| Do you hear me now? | هل تسمعني الآن؟hal tasma'unî al-âna? |
The Object Pronoun "You" (ـك)
To say "you" as a direct object, attach the suffix ـك to the verb.
| I do not understand you. | أنا لا أفهمك.ana lâ afhamuka. |
| I thank you very much. | أنا أشكرك جدا.ana ashkuruka jiddan |
Thoughts, Senses, and Emotions
Attached pronouns are incredibly common with verbs describing mental processes (remembering, believing), senses (seeing, hearing), and emotions.
You can combine these with question words like لماذا (why) to ask about people's thoughts and perceptions.
| Where is he? I do not see him. | أين هو؟ أنا لا أراه.ayna huwa? ana lâ arâhu. |
| We remember him. | نحن نتذكره.nahnu natadhakkaruhu. |
| Why do you not believe me? | لماذا لا تصدقني؟limâdhâ lâ tuṣaddiquni؟ |
| My father loves me too. | أبي يحبني أيضا.abî yuhibbunî aydan. |