Lesson 9

Demonstrative pronouns

In English there are four demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these, and those. In classical Arabic there are eight demonstrative pronouns.

I hear someone crying and telling: “Oh my God, eight of demonstrative pronouns!” Don’t be afraid, in Egyptian slang we just use three. Do you feel comfortable now?

Let’s take a look at these three pronouns:

English	Arabic	Pronunciation
This / That (refer to the singular feminine)	دى
This / That (refer to the singular masculine)	ده
These / Those (refer to the plural)	دول

You see, they are very easy. Show me your smile now.

I want to teach you those pronouns in classical Arabic. Maybe you ask me and say: “Why do you want to do that?”

In fact, I want to teach you those pronouns in classical, because there are big difference between them in classical and in slang.

Of course, I told you that I would let you speak Egyptian slang, but I also told you that I will let you know how to read and write classical Arabic, too.

Here are the demonstrative pronouns in classical Arabic:

English	Arabic	Pronunciation
This (refer to the singular masculine)	هذا
This (refer to the singular feminine)	هذه
That (refer to the singular masculine)	ذلك
That (refer to the singular feminine)	تلك
These two (refer to two of masculine objects)	هذان or هذين
These two (refer to two of feminine objects)	هاتان or هاتين
These	هؤلاء
Those	اولئك