Arabic Emphasis: Inna and its Sisters (إنَّ وأخواتها)
Inna and its sisters to add emphasis and nuance by changing the subject to the accusative case.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Inna and its sisters are particles that enter nominal sentences to add emphasis and change the case of the subject.
- Inna (إنَّ) adds emphasis: 'Indeed, the weather is cold' (إنَّ الجوَّ باردٌ).
- The subject (Ism Inna) becomes accusative (Mansoub/Fatha): إنَّ الولدَ ذكيٌّ.
- The predicate (Khabar Inna) remains nominative (Marfou/Damma): إنَّ الولدَ ذكيٌّ.
Overview
In Arabic, emphasis and sentence framing are not merely matters of tone; they are encoded directly into the grammatical structure. The primary tools for this are إنَّ وأخواتها (Inna and its Sisters), a group of six particles that operate on nominal sentences (الجملة الاسمية). Think of them as lenses that frame a statement, signaling certainty, doubt, comparison, or a wish before the core message is even fully delivered.
They are essential for moving beyond simple factual statements to nuanced, persuasive, and expressive Arabic.
A standard nominal sentence, like البيتُ جديدٌ (al-baytu jadīdun - The house is new), consists of a subject (mubtadaʾ) and a predicate (khabar), both in the nominative case (marked by a ḍamma). When one of the Sisters of Inna enters this sentence, it fundamentally alters this structure. The particle takes charge, changing the subject's case and re-designating the sentence components.
These particles—إنَّ (indeed), أنَّ (that), كأنَّ (as if), لكنَّ (but), ليتَ (if only), and لعلَّ (perhaps)—are known as الحروف الناسخة (al-ḥurūf al-nāsikhah), or the "abrogating particles," because they abrogate, or cancel, the original grammatical state of the sentence and impose their own rule. Mastering them is a key step in achieving fluency and a more sophisticated command of the language.
How This Grammar Works
إنَّ and its sisters is rooted in a concept that links them to verbs. They are sometimes called الحروف المشبهة بالفعل (al-ḥurūf al-mushabbahah bi-l-fiʿl), meaning "particles that resemble verbs." This is the key to understanding why they change the grammar. Each particle implies a verb's meaning: إنَّ implies أُؤكِّدُ (I confirm), ليتَ implies أتمنى (I wish), and لعلَّ implies أترجى (I hope).mafʿūl bihi) is always in the accusative case (manṣūb). Because these particles carry a verb-like meaning, they treat the subject of the nominal sentence as their object.- 1A sister of
Innaenters a nominal sentence. - 2The original subject (
mubtadaʾ), which was nominative (marfūʿ), becomes the noun ofInna(اسم إنَّ) and is changed to the accusative case (manṣūb). This is typically marked by afatḥa(-a) for singular nouns. - 3The original predicate (
khabar), which was also nominative (marfūʿ), becomes the predicate ofInna(خبر إنَّ) and remains in the nominative case (marfūʿ). This is typically marked by aḍamma(-u).
الامتحانُ صعبٌ (al-imtiḥānu ṣaʿbun - The exam is difficult). Both parts are marfūʿ. If we add إنَّ, it treats الامتحان as the object of its implied meaning of "confirmation." The result is إِنَّ الامتحانَ صعبٌ (inna al-imtiḥāna ṣaʿbun).ḍamma on الامتحانُ is abrogated and replaced by a fatḥa. This case change is not arbitrary; it's a grammatical flag signaling to the listener that a specific perspective (certainty, in this case) is being applied to the statement.Word Order Rules
Ism (in the accusative case) + Khabar (in the nominative case)لعلَّ الفرجَ قريبٌ(laʿalla al-faraja qarībun) - Perhaps relief is near.لكنَّ السيارةَ قديمةٌ(lākinna al-sayyārata qadīmatun) - But the car is old.
ism before the particle, nor can you typically place the khabar between the particle and its ism.khabar can precede the ism. This occurs when two conditions are met:- 1The
khabaris a prepositional phrase (شبه جملة) or an adverb. - 2The
ismis indefinite (نكرة).
khabar must come before the ism. This structure is often used to express "there is" or "there are" with the particle's specific shade of meaning. For example, starting with the idea "a solution is in the plan":- Standard (definite
ism):إِنَّ الحلَّ في الخطةِ(inna al-ḥalla fī al-khuṭṭati) - Indeed, the solution is in the plan. - Inverted (indefinite
ism):إِنَّ في الخطةِ حلًّا(inna fī al-khuṭṭati ḥallan) - Indeed, in the plan there is a solution.
ism (حلًّا) is still manṣūb, as the rule requires. This advanced structure shifts the sentence's focus from the subject to the information in the predicate.Formation Pattern
Inna or one of its sisters, follow this three-step process:
mubtadaʾ) and predicate (khabar). For instance, الطالبةُ ذكيةٌ (al-ṭālibatu dhakiyyatun - The female student is intelligent).
-u) to accusative (-a) while leaving the predicate as is.
الطالبةُ ذكيةٌ → إِنَّ الطالبةَ ذكيةٌ (inna al-ṭālibata dhakiyyatun - Truly, the female student is intelligent).
إِنَّ | Indeed, truly (for emphasis) | إِنَّ الحقَّ واضحٌ | Indeed, the truth is clear. |
أَنَّ | that (conjunction) | علمتُ أَنَّ السفرَ غدًا | I learned that the travel is tomorrow. |
كَأَنَّ | As if, like (for simile) | كَأَنَّ وجهَها قمرٌ | It is as if her face is a moon. |
لٰكِنَّ | But, however (for contrast) | الجوُّ باردٌ لٰكِنَّ الشمسَ ساطعةٌ | The weather is cold, but the sun is shining. |
لَيْتَ | If only (for an impossible wish) | لَيْتَ السلامَ دائمٌ | If only peace were permanent. |
لَعَلَّ | Perhaps, hopefully (for a possible hope) | لَعَلَّ النتيجةَ جيدةٌ | Hopefully, the result is good. |
ism of the particle is a pronoun. In this case, the pronoun must be attached as a suffix directly to the particle. It is grammatically incorrect to use a standalone pronoun after the particle (e.g., *إنَّ هو is wrong).
إنَّ | Example | Translation |
أنا | إنَّني / إنِّي | إنَّني طالبٌ | Indeed, I am a student. |
أنتَ | إنَّكَ | إنَّكَ قويٌّ | Indeed, you (m.) are strong. |
أنتِ | إنَّكِ | إنَّكِ ذكيةٌ | Indeed, you (f.) are smart. |
هو | إنَّهُ | إنَّهُ غائبٌ | Indeed, he is absent. |
هي | إنَّها | إنَّها هنا | Indeed, she is here. |
نحنُ | إنَّنا | إنَّنا جاهزونَ | Indeed, we are ready. |
هم | إنَّهم | إنَّهم أصدقائي | Indeed, they are my friends. |
لعلَّه (perhaps he), كأنكِ (as if you [f.]), لكنهم (but they).
When To Use It
إنَّ(inna): For Assertion and Emphasis. Useإنَّto state a fact with conviction, to remove any doubt from the listener's mind. It's a tool of confirmation. It commonly appears at the beginning of a declarative sentence or immediately following the verbقال(to say) and its derivatives.قالَ: "إنَّ الوضعَ مستقرٌّ."(He said: "Indeed, the situation is stable.")
أنَّ(anna): For Connecting Clauses.أنَّfunctions as a bridge, turning a full nominal sentence into a clause that can act as the object of another verb. It translates to "that" and is required after verbs of perception (رأى- to see), knowledge (عَلِمَ- to know), belief (اعتقد- to believe), and speech (أخبر- to inform).أعتقدُ أنَّ القرارَ صائبٌ(I believe that the decision is correct).
كأنَّ(kaʾanna): For Simile and Conjecture. Useكأنَّto draw a comparison or express a suspicion. It conveys the meaning of "as if" or "it seems like."كأنَّ الغيومَ جبالٌ من القطنِ(It's as if the clouds are mountains of cotton). It's a highly descriptive tool used in both literature and everyday speech.
لكنَّ(lākinna): For Contrast and Rectification.لكنَّalways introduces a statement that contrasts with or corrects what came before it. It requires a preceding clause and functions like a more emphatic "but."أريدُ الخروجَ، لكنَّ المطرَ غزيرٌ(I want to go out, but the rain is heavy). It creates a pivot in the flow of thought.
ليتَ(layta): For Unattainable Wishes (التمني).ليتَis used to express a strong wish for something that is impossible, highly improbable, or in the past. It carries a sense of longing or regret.ليتَ الشبابَ يعودُ يومًا(If only youth would one day return). Using it for a possible outcome can sound overly dramatic or pessimistic.
لعلَّ(laʿalla): For Possible Hopes (الترجي).لعلَّis the optimistic counterpart toليتَ. It expresses hope for a future outcome that is considered possible or likely. It is the correct choice for expressing hope in everyday situations.لعلَّ الاختبارَ يكونُ سهلًا(Hopefully, the test will be easy).
Common Mistakes
- 1Forgetting the Accusative Case: The most common mistake is leaving the
ismin the nominative case. For example,*إنَّ المديرُ في مكتبِهِis incorrect. Theḍammamust become afatḥa:إنَّ المديرَ في مكتبِهِ. Remember thatإنَّis a powerful particle that imposes its rule.
- 1Confusing
إنَّ(with kasra) andأنَّ(with fatḥa):إنَّis used to initiate a statement (at the start of a sentence or afterقال).أنَّis a conjunction used in the middle of a sentence to connect a clause to a preceding verb. Rule: If you can replace the particle and its clause with the wordشيئًا(something), you should useأنَّ.أعرفُ أنَّكَ مشغولٌ->أعرفُ شيئًا(I know something). This test doesn't work forإنَّ.
- 1Confusing
لكنَّandلكنْ: These are not interchangeable.لكنَّ(lākinna), with ashadda, is a sister ofInnaand must be followed by an accusativeism(noun or attached pronoun).لكنْ(lākin), with asukūn, is a simple coordinating conjunction that can be followed by a verb or a noun without any case change.
البيتُ جميلٌ لكنَّهُ غالٍ(The house is beautiful, but it is expensive.) - Sister ofInna.لم أسافرْ بالطائرةِ لكنْ بالقطارِ(I didn't travel by plane, but by train.) - Simple conjunction.
- 1Using a Separate Pronoun: A critical error is writing
*ليتَ هو يرجعinstead of the mandatory attached form,ليتَهُ يرجعُ. The pronoun that serves as theismmust be suffixed to the particle.
- 1Forgetting the
shadda: Theshadda(the small 'w' shape) onإنَّ,أنَّ,كأنَّ, andلكنَّis not optional. It doubles theنconsonant and is part of the particle's identity.إنْ(in) is a conditional particle meaning "if," andأنْ(an) is a subjunctive particle. Omitting theshaddacompletely changes the word and the grammar of the sentence.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
إنَّ وأخواتها, it's crucial to contrast them with other sentence-altering structures.إنَّ وأخواتها vs. كان وأخواتهاكان and its sisters are verbs that also enter nominal sentences, but they have the opposite effect of إنَّ.إنَّ and its Sisters (الحروف الناسخة) | كان and its Sisters (الأفعال الناسخة) |حروف) | Verbs (أفعال) |اسمها is Accusative (manṣūb), خبرها is Nominative (marfūʿ) | اسمها is Nominative (marfūʿ), خبرها is Accusative (manṣūb) |إنَّ الطالبَ مجتهدٌ | كان الطالبُ مجتهدًا |إنَّ makes the noun accusative, while كان makes the predicate accusative.أنَّ (anna) vs. أنْ (an)أنَّ(anna) is a sister ofInna. It is followed by itsism(a noun or pronoun) and itskhabar(the predicate). It introduces a noun clause.يسعدني أنَّكَ بخيرٍ(It pleases me that you are well).أنْ(an) is a subjunctive particle (حرف نصب). It is followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood (فعل مضارع منصوب). It introduces a verb clause.أريدُ أنْ أسافرَ(I want to travel).
Real Conversations
Here is how these particles appear in modern, authentic contexts.
Scenario 1
> شكرًا على التحديث. إنَّ التقدمَ الذي أحرزناه ممتازٌ، ولكنني قلقٌ قليلًا بشأن الموعد النهائي. لعلنا نحتاج إلى تخصيص موارد إضافية.
> (Thanks for the update. Indeed, the progress we've made is excellent, but I am a little concerned about the deadline. Perhaps we need to allocate additional resources.)
Scenario 2
> ما شاء الله! كأنها صورة من الجنة. ليتني معك الآن!
> (Mashallah! It's as if it's a picture from paradise. If only I were with you now!)
Scenario 3
> Ali: هل ما زلنا سنلتقي في الساعة 8؟ (Are we still meeting at 8?)
> Fatima: أعرفُ أننا اتفقنا على ذلك، لكنني سأتأخر نصف ساعة. سيارتي في الصيانة. (I know that we agreed on that, but I will be half an hour late. My car is at the mechanic.)
> Ali: لا مشكلة. لعلَّكِ تصلين بالسلامة. (No problem. Hopefully you arrive safely.)
In casual speech and texting, the final case-marking vowels are often dropped (إنَّ التقدم ممتاز instead of ...التقدمَ ممتازٌ). However, the core structure, especially the use of attached pronouns (لكنني, لعلك), remains fully intact and is essential for correct usage.
Quick FAQ
Inna?This is a great observation. In this case, the ism of the particle is usually an attached pronoun, and the verb begins the predicate, which is a verbal sentence (جملة فعلية). For example, in ليتَهُ يدرسُ بجدٍّ (If only he would study hard), ليتَ is the particle, ـهُ is its ism (pronoun for 'he', manṣūb in position), and يدرسُ بجدٍّ is the khabar (a verbal sentence, marfūʿ in position).
This is a traditional convention in classical Arabic grammar. Words that share the same grammatical function or "action" (عمل) are grouped into families and referred to as "sisters" (أخوات). It helps organize grammatical concepts into parallel sets, like كان وأخواتها and ظنَّ وأخواتها.
khabar be something other than a single word?Absolutely. The khabar of Inna and its sisters can be:
- A single word (
مفرد):إنَّ السماءَ صافيةٌ. - A prepositional phrase (
شبه جملة):إنَّ العصفورَ فوق الشجرةِ. - A verbal sentence (
جملة فعلية):إنَّ الطالبَ يقرأُ الكتابَ. - A nominal sentence (
جملة اسمية):إنَّ الحديقةَ أزهارُها جميلةٌ.
إنّما. How is it different from إنَّ?When the particle ما attaches to إنَّ or its sisters (e.g., إنّما, كأنّما), it is called ما الكافة (mā al-kāffah - the restraining mā). It restrains or cancels the particle's grammatical action. The sentence that follows returns to a normal mubtadaʾ-khabar structure. Example: إنّما المؤمنونَ إخوةٌ (The believers are but brothers). Notice المؤمنونَ is nominative, not accusative, because ما has canceled إنَّ's effect.
Inna with Pronouns
| Particle | Pronoun | Combined Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Inna
|
Hu
|
Innahu
|
Indeed he/it is
|
|
Inna
|
Ha
|
Innaha
|
Indeed she/it is
|
|
Inna
|
Ka
|
Innaka
|
Indeed you (m) are
|
|
Inna
|
Ki
|
Innaki
|
Indeed you (f) are
|
|
Inna
|
Ni
|
Innani
|
Indeed I am
|
|
Inna
|
Hum
|
Innahum
|
Indeed they are
|
The Sisters of Inna
| Particle | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
Anna
|
That
|
|
Ka'anna
|
As if
|
|
Lakinna
|
But
|
|
Layta
|
I wish
|
|
La'alla
|
Perhaps
|
Meanings
These particles are used to confirm, emphasize, or contrast information within a nominal sentence (Jumla Ismiyya).
Emphasis (Tawkid)
Used to confirm a statement.
“إنَّ العلمَ نورٌ”
“إنَّ الامتحانَ سهلٌ”
Comparison/Contrast
Used to show a difference between two things.
“الجوُّ باردٌ لكنَّ الشمسَ ساطعةٌ”
“البيتُ صغيرٌ لكنَّه مريحٌ”
Hope/Wish
Expressing a desire.
“ليتَ الشبابَ يعودُ يوماً”
“ليتَ السفرَ قريبٌ”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Inna + Subject(Fatha) + Predicate(Damma)
|
إنَّ العلمَ نورٌ
|
|
Contrast
|
Lakinna + Subject(Fatha) + Predicate(Damma)
|
البيتُ صغيرٌ لكنَّه مريحٌ
|
|
Wish
|
Layta + Subject(Fatha) + Predicate(Damma)
|
ليتَ الوقتَ يطولُ
|
|
Possibility
|
La'alla + Subject(Fatha) + Predicate(Damma)
|
لعلَّ الفرجَ قريبٌ
|
|
Comparison
|
Ka'anna + Subject(Fatha) + Predicate(Damma)
|
كأنَّ القمرَ مصباحٌ
|
|
Indirect
|
Verb + Anna + Subject(Fatha) + Predicate(Damma)
|
عرفتُ أنَّك صادقٌ
|
Formality Spectrum
إنَّ الجوَّ باردٌ (Weather report)
الجوُّ باردٌ (Weather report)
الجوُّ بارد (Weather report)
الجوّ برد (Weather report)
The Inna Family
Emphasis
- إنَّ Indeed
Contrast
- لكنَّ But
Wish
- ليتَ I wish
Examples by Level
إنَّ الولدَ ذكيٌّ
Indeed, the boy is smart.
إنَّ البيتَ كبيرٌ
Indeed, the house is big.
إنَّ الدرسَ سهلٌ
Indeed, the lesson is easy.
إنَّ القهوةَ ساخنةٌ
Indeed, the coffee is hot.
لكنَّ الجوَّ باردٌ
But the weather is cold.
ليتَ السفرَ قريبٌ
I wish the travel was soon.
إنَّه سعيدٌ اليومَ
Indeed, he is happy today.
لعلَّ المطرَ يتوقفُ
Perhaps the rain will stop.
إنَّني أحبُّ القراءةَ
Indeed, I love reading.
كأنَّ الوقتَ يمرُّ بسرعةٍ
It is as if time is passing quickly.
علمتُ أنَّك مسافرٌ
I knew that you are traveling.
إنَّ الشركةَ ناجحةٌ
Indeed, the company is successful.
إنَّ التحدياتِ كثيرةٌ
Indeed, the challenges are many.
لعلَّ القرارَ يكونُ صائباً
Perhaps the decision will be correct.
كأنَّما العالمُ صغيرٌ
It is as if the world is small.
ليتَ الشبابَ يعودُ
I wish youth would return.
إنَّه لمنَ الضروريِّ أنْ نتحركَ
Indeed, it is necessary that we move.
لقدْ قيلَ إنَّ الحقيقةَ مُرَّةٌ
It has been said that the truth is bitter.
إنَّما الأعمالُ بالنياتِ
Indeed, actions are by intentions.
لعلَّنا نجدُ حلاً قريباً
Perhaps we will find a solution soon.
إنَّ في ذلكَ لعبرةً
Indeed, in that is a lesson.
كأنَّما هيَ لوحةٌ فنيةٌ
It is as if it were a painting.
ليتَ شعري ما الذي حدثَ
I wish I knew what happened.
إنَّما أنتَ نذيرٌ
You are only a warner.
Easily Confused
Both change the case of the nominal sentence.
Both are particles of emphasis.
Innama looks like Inna.
Common Mistakes
إنَّ الولدُ ذكيٌّ
إنَّ الولدَ ذكيٌّ
إنَّ الولدَ ذكيَّ
إنَّ الولدَ ذكيٌّ
Inna الولد ذكي
إنَّ الولدَ ذكيٌّ
إنَّ ذكيٌّ الولدُ
إنَّ الولدَ ذكيٌّ
لكنَّ الجوَّ بارداً
لكنَّ الجوَّ باردٌ
ليتَ السفرَ قريباً
ليتَ السفرَ قريبٌ
إنَّه ذكيَّ
إنَّه ذكيٌّ
عرفتُ إنَّك مسافرٌ
عرفتُ أنَّك مسافرٌ
إنَّني مسافراً
إنَّني مسافرٌ
لعلَّ المطرَ يتوقفَ
لعلَّ المطرَ يتوقفُ
إنَّما الأعمالَ بالنياتِ
إنَّما الأعمالُ بالنياتِ
ليتَ شعري ما حدثَ
ليتَ شعري ما الذي حدثَ
إنَّ في ذلكَ لعبرةً
إنَّ في ذلكَ لعبرةً
Sentence Patterns
إنَّ ___ (subject) ___ (predicate).
___ (particle) ___ (subject) ___ (predicate).
عرفتُ أنَّ ___ (subject) ___ (predicate).
كأنَّ ___ (subject) ___ (predicate).
Real World Usage
إنَّ خبرتي في هذا المجال واسعةٌ
لكنَّ الحياةَ قصيرةٌ
إنَّني قادمٌ الآن
إنَّ هذه الدراسةَ توضحُ أنَّ...
لعلَّ الفندقَ قريبٌ
إنَّ الطلبَ جاهزٌ
Check the Subject
Don't change the Predicate
Use Pronouns
Formal vs Informal
Smart Tips
Use 'Inna' to start your sentences to sound more professional.
Use 'Lakinna' instead of just 'wa' (and) to show a clear contrast.
Use 'Layta' to add emotional depth to your wishes.
Always attach the pronoun directly to the particle.
Pronunciation
Shadda
The 'n' in Inna must be held for a beat.
Emphatic
إنَّ الجوَّ باردٌ ↑
Rising intonation on the predicate for emphasis.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Inna' as a heavy weight that pushes the subject down into a Fatha.
Visual Association
Imagine a heavy 'Inna' stamp pressing down on the subject of the sentence, leaving a Fatha mark.
Rhyme
Inna makes the subject light, with a Fatha ending bright.
Story
Inna is a strict teacher. Whenever she enters the classroom (the sentence), the students (the subjects) must sit down (take a Fatha). The teacher (the predicate) stays standing (keeps the Damma).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using a different particle from the Inna family for each.
Cultural Notes
Used in all formal media and literature.
Often replaced by 'يا ريت' for wishes.
Uses 'لكن' without the 'na' suffix.
These particles evolved from ancient Semitic emphatic markers.
Conversation Starters
كيف حالك اليوم؟
ما رأيك في هذا الفيلم؟
هل تعتقد أنَّ الطقس سيتحسن؟
ما هي أمنيتك الكبرى؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
إنَّ ___ (الطالب) مجتهدٌ.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
إنَّ البيتُ كبيرٌ
الدرسُ سهلٌ
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use: إنَّ, الكتاب, مفيد
Inna + hu
A: هل هو ذكي؟ B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesإنَّ ___ (الطالب) مجتهدٌ.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
إنَّ البيتُ كبيرٌ
الدرسُ سهلٌ
Match: 1. Inna, 2. Lakinna, 3. Layta
Use: إنَّ, الكتاب, مفيد
Inna + hu
A: هل هو ذكي؟ B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesالجوُّ حارٌ ____ الهواءَ جميلٌ.
إنَّ الكتابَ مفيداً.
Translate: 'I hope that you (masc.) are well.'
Choose the correct word:
Match the pairs:
Arrange: [قمرٌ] [البنتَ] [كأنَّ]
أعرفُ ___ الصدقَ منجاةٌ.
إنَّ المعلمينَ مجتهدون.
Pick the sister:
Translate: '...but the car is expensive.'
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is a grammatical rule in Arabic called 'Nasb' (accusative case) caused by the particle.
Yes, but it is more common in formal speech.
Inna starts a sentence; Anna connects clauses.
Only if another particle like Kana is introduced.
They all share the same grammatical effect on the subject.
Yes, very frequently for emphasis.
Sometimes, like 'Inna' and 'Lam' of emphasis.
The pronoun attaches to the particle.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Que
Arabic changes the case of the subject; Spanish does not.
Que
Arabic has a specific emphatic particle; French relies on word order.
Dass
Arabic case marking is unique.
Koto
Arabic is a VSO/SVO language with case markers.
Inna
None.
Jiu
Arabic is highly inflected.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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