Demonstrative Pronouns in Arabic أَسْمَاءُ الإِشَارَةِ

Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns (Asmā’ al-Ishārah) in Arabic

In Arabic grammar, "Asmā’ al-Ishārah" (أَسْمَاءُ الإِشَارَةِ) refers to demonstrative pronouns—words used to point to specific things, people, or places. Just as we use "this" or "those" in English, Arabic uses its own set of words depending on number (singular, dual, plural) and gender (masculine, feminine). These pronouns play an essential role in everyday speech, helping us identify what or who we are talking about with clarity.

Arabic demonstrative pronouns are sensitive to both gender and number, unlike English. This makes them slightly more complex but also more precise. For example, "this" for a masculine object is different from "this" for a feminine object.

Let’s explore these pronouns one by one, with examples and explanations.

1. هَذَا – hādhā (This – masculine singular)

Arabic: هَذَا كِتَابٌ
Transliteration: hādhā kitābun
Meaning: This is a book.

This is used when pointing to a single masculine noun that is near the speaker.

2. هَذِهِ – hādhihi (This – feminine singular)

Arabic: هَذِهِ سَيَّارَةٌ
Transliteration: hādhihi sayyāratun
Meaning: This is a car.

Used for a singular feminine noun near the speaker.

3. هَذَانِ – hādhāni (These two – masculine dual)

Arabic: هَذَانِ وَلَدَانِ
Transliteration: hādhāni waladāni
Meaning: These two are boys.

Used when referring to two masculine nouns that are near.

4. هَاتَانِ – hātāni (These two – feminine dual)

Arabic: هَاتَانِ بِنْتَانِ
Transliteration: hātāni bintāni
Meaning: These two are girls.

Used for two feminine objects or people.

5. هَؤُلَاءِ – hā’ulā’i (These – plural, both genders)

Arabic: هَؤُلَاءِ طُلَّابٌ
Transliteration: hā’ulā’i ṭullābun
Meaning: These are students.

This form is used for plural nouns (male or female) that are near the speaker.

6. ذَٰلِكَ – dhālika (That – masculine singular)

Arabic: ذَٰلِكَ بَيْتٌ
Transliteration: dhālika baytun
Meaning: That is a house.

Used for pointing to a masculine noun that is far from the speaker.

7. تِلْكَ – tilka (That – feminine singular)

Arabic: تِلْكَ مَدْرَسَةٌ
Transliteration: tilka madrasatun
Meaning: That is a school.

Used for a feminine singular noun that is distant.

8. ذَانِكَ – dhānika (Those two – masculine dual, far)

Arabic: ذَانِكَ طَالِبَانِ
Transliteration: dhānika ṭālibāni
Meaning: Those two are students.

Used for two masculine people or things that are far away.

9. تَانِكَ – tānika (Those two – feminine dual, far)

Arabic: تَانِكَ طَالِبَتَانِ
Transliteration: tānika ṭālibatāni
Meaning: Those two are female students.

Used similarly but for two feminine entities far from the speaker.

10. أُولَٰئِكَ – ulā’ika (Those – plural, far)

Arabic: أُولَٰئِكَ رِجَالٌ
Transliteration: ulā’ika rijālun
Meaning: Those are men.

This is used for plural nouns far from the speaker.

📘 Arabic Demonstrative Pronouns Chart

Proximity	Gender	Number	Arabic (with vowels)	Transliteration	Meaning
Near	Masculine	Singular	هَٰذَا	hādhā	This
Near	Feminine	Singular	هَٰذِهِ	hādhihi	This
Near	Masculine	Dual	هَٰذَانِ	hādhāni	These two
Near	Feminine	Dual	هَٰتَانِ	hātāni	These two
Near	Both	Plural	هَٰؤُلَاءِ	hā’ulā’i	These
Far	Masculine	Singular	ذَٰلِكَ	dhālika	That
Far	Feminine	Singular	تِلْكَ	tilka	That
Far	Masculine	Dual	ذَانِكَ	dhānika	Those two
Far	Feminine	Dual	تَانِكَ	tānika	Those two
Far	Both	Plural	أُولَٰئِكَ	ulā’ika	Those

Final Thoughts:

Mastering Asmā’ al-Ishārah is essential for any Arabic learner who wants to construct accurate and expressive sentences. These demonstratives are not just grammatical tools—they are keys to daily communication. Whether you're pointing out an object in front of you or describing a distant event, using the correct demonstrative makes your Arabic sound natural and precise.

Remember to match the pronoun’s gender, number, and distance to the noun it refers to. With practice, you’ll soon use them as fluently as native speakers.