Pointing to the Distance: Using Tilka in Arabic (تِلْكَ)

The Distant Feminine: Tilka (تِلْكَ)

Saying "That" for Feminine Nouns

While Hādhihi is used for something feminine that is close to you ("This"), Tilka (تِلْكَ) is used for something feminine that is far away ("That").

Near (This)

هَذِهِ

Hādhihi

Far (That)

تِلْكَ

Tilka

Examples using Tilka

Arabic Phrase	Transliteration	English Meaning
تِلْكَ دَجَاجَةٌ	Tilka dajaajatun	That is a chicken.
تِلْكَ نَافِذَةٌ	Tilka naafidhatun	That is a window.
تِلْكَ طَبِيبَةٌ	Tilka tabiibatun	That is a (female) doctor.

⚠️ Advanced Tip: Non-Human Plurals

In Arabic, when you point to a plural group of non-human objects (like books or cars), the language treats the group as "Singular Feminine." This means you would use Tilka to say "Those are books."

تِلْكَ كُتُبٌ
(Tilka kutubun)
Those are books.

Practice: If Hujratun (حُجْرَةٌ) means "Room," how do you say "That is a room"?
Answer: تِلْكَ حُجْرَةٌ (Tilka hujratun).