Learn Arabic (Modern Standard): عندي أعمال وأشياء جديدة.

The singular of أعمال (works) is عمل (work), and the singular of أشياء (things) is شيء (thing). Notice how both words change their internal structure by adding new letters at the beginning and middle, rather than just attaching a regular plural suffix to the end.

Why do the words أعمال and أشياء sound so similar?

They both follow one of the most common broken plural sound patterns, which sounds like af-aal. When learning broken plurals, grouping them by this shared rhythm makes them much easier to memorize than trying to learn each one individually.

Why does the adjective جديدة (new) end in a feminine marker when it describes plural words?

This is a golden rule in Arabic! All non-human plural nouns, like أعمال (works) and أشياء (things), are treated grammatically as feminine singular. That is why they must take the feminine singular adjective جديدة instead of a plural adjective.

How does عندي translate to I have?

It translates perfectly to I have in everyday use, but literally it means at me or with me. It is made of the preposition عند (at/with) and the attached pronoun ي (me). Because Arabic does not use a direct verb for to have, we use this combination to show possession.