Arabic Present Tense: She & They (Fem) (المضارع للمؤنث)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To talk about 'she' or 'they' (feminine), add a 'ta-' prefix for she and a '-na' suffix for they.
- For 'she' (هي), start the verb with 'ta-' (تـ). Example: تدرس (tadrusu - she studies).
- For 'they feminine' (هن), add the '-na' (ـنَ) suffix. Example: يدرسن (yadrusna - they feminine study).
- Remember that 'they feminine' uses the 'ya-' (يـ) prefix plus the '-na' suffix.
Overview
Arabic verbs are exceptionally precise, tailoring their form to convey not just the action, but also who is performing it. This precision includes distinctions in gender and number for the subject. Understanding these conjugations is fundamental for forming coherent sentences and avoiding significant misinterpretations, even at a beginner level.
The imperfect tense, known as المضارع (al-muḍāriʿ), serves as the primary means to express actions happening currently, habitually, or in the near future.
This guide focuses on the third-person feminine forms in the imperfect tense: 'she' (هي - hiya, singular feminine) and 'they' (هنّ - hunna, plural feminine). Mastering these forms is crucial because Arabic grammar applies gender to virtually all nouns, extending this grammatical gender to verb agreement. Incorrectly gendering a verb can fundamentally change the meaning or render a sentence grammatically incorrect, leading to confusion.
At the A1 level, acquiring these patterns enables you to describe daily activities involving women, or even inanimate plural objects, with accuracy. While seemingly intricate due to the shifts in prefixes and suffixes, the system is highly logical and follows predictable rules once the core patterns are identified. This predictability offers a structured approach to learning, contrasting with the less rule-bound aspects of some other languages.
How This Grammar Works
جذر - jidhr), typically consisting of three consonant letters. These roots carry the core meaning of a verb. For instance, the root ك-ت-ب (k-t-b) universally denotes the concept of 'writing.' To express this root in a specific tense and for a particular subject, prefixes and sometimes suffixes are added to this core.أحرف المضارعة (aḥruf al-muḍāraʿa), or 'imperfect letters.' For the third-person feminine, two primary patterns emerge, distinguishing between singular and plural subjects. The prefix indicates the person of the verb (first, second, or third), while a combination of the prefix and any accompanying suffix indicates the gender and number (singular, dual, plural).هي), the imperfect verb always begins with the prefix تَـ (ta-). This تَـ signals a feminine subject in the third person. Observe how the root ك-ت-ب transforms to تَكْتُبُ (taktubu) – 'she writes/is writing'.هنّ), the verb form incorporates both a prefix and a suffix. The verb begins with the prefix يَـ (ya-), which might initially seem counterintuitive as يَـ is also used for the masculine plural 'they' (هم - hum). However, the distinguishing feature is the mandatory suffix ـنَ (-na), known as the نون النسوة (nūn al-niswa), or 'the Nūn of the women.' This suffix unequivocally marks the subject as third-person feminine plural.ك-ت-ب becomes يَكْتُبْنَ (yaktubna) – 'they (fem.) write/are writing.' The نون النسوة is a fixed, unchangeable marker, crucial for clarity.تشكيل - tashkīl) placed above or below the consonant letters. These vowels are integral to pronunciation and can sometimes subtly differentiate meanings or roles. For Form I verbs (the most common and foundational type), the vowel on the second root letter, known as the stem vowel, varies and must be learned through exposure, although the prefix and suffix patterns remain constant.ضمة - ḍamma for singular, or a سكون - sukūn before نون النسوة) marks its default indicative mood.Formation Pattern
د-ر-س (d-r-s), meaning 'to study,' as our primary example. This process applies consistently to all Form I verbs, with only the stem vowel (فَتْحَة - fatḥa, ضَمَّة - ḍamma, or كَسْرَة - kasra) on the middle root letter potentially changing.
هي)
تَـ prefix. The base structure involves the prefix, the three root letters, and a final vowel.
د-ر-س | Example Verb: ك-ت-ب (to write) |
د-ر-س | ك-ت-ب |
تَـ (with fatḥa). | تَـد-ر-س | تَـك-ت-ب |
سكون (sukūn) on the first root letter. | تَـدْـر-س | تَـكْـت-ب |
د-ر-س, it's ḍamma; for ك-ت-ب, it's ḍamma). | تَـدْرُس | تَـكْتُب |
ضَمَّة (ḍamma) on the third root letter (indicative mood). | تَـدْرُسُ | تَـكْتُبُ |
تَدْرُسُ means 'she studies/is studying,' and تَكْتُبُ means 'she writes/is writing.' Notice the consistent تَـ prefix and the final ḍamma in the indicative mood.
هنّ)
يَـ prefix and the ـنَ suffix (نون النسوة). The structure involves the prefix, the three root letters with specific vocalization, and the suffix.
د-ر-س | Example Verb: ك-ت-ب (to write) |
د-ر-س | ك-ت-ب |
يَـ (with fatḥa). | يَـد-ر-س | يَـك-ت-ب |
سكون (sukūn) on the first root letter. | يَـدْـر-س | يَـكْـت-ب |
د-ر-س, it's ḍamma; for ك-ت-ب, it's ḍamma). | يَـدْرُس | يَـكْتُب |
سكون (sukūn) on the third root letter. | يَـدْرُسْـ | يَـكْتُبْـ |
ـنَ (fatḥa on the ن). | يَـدْرُسْنَ | يَـكْتُبْنَ |
يَدْرُسْنَ means 'they (fem.) study/are studying,' and يَكْتُبْنَ means 'they (fem.) write/are writing.' The يَـ prefix, the sukūn on the third root letter, and the ـنَ suffix are the hallmarks of this form.
ḍamma in the imperfect (like كَتَبَ -> يَكْتُبُ), others take a fatḥa or kasra.
الماضي) | Imperfect Tense (المضارع) | Meaning |
كَتَبَ (kataba) | يَكْتُبُ (yaktubu) | to write |
دَخَلَ (dakhala) | يَدْخُلُ (yadkhulu) | to enter |
شَرِبَ (shariba) | يَشْرَبُ (yashrabu) | to drink |
فَتَحَ (fataḥa) | يَفْتَحُ (yaftaḥu) | to open |
جَلَسَ (jalasa) | يَجْلِسُ (yajlisu) | to sit |
تَشْرَبُ (tashrabu), and 'they (fem.) drink' would be يَشْرَبْنَ (yashrabna). At the A1 level, focus on recognizing the common patterns and memorizing the imperfect forms of frequently used verbs, which will gradually build your intuition for stem vowels.
When To Use It
سارة تَقْرَأُ كتاباً.(Sāra taqraʾu kitāban.) – Sara is reading a book.الطالبات يَكْتُبْنَ الواجب.(al-ṭālibāt yaktubna al-wājib.) – The female students are writing the homework.
هي تَعْمَلُ في المستشفى كل يوم.(hiya taʿmalu fī al-mustashfā kull yawm.) – She works at the hospital every day.أمي وأختي يَذْهَبْنَ إلى السوق كل أسبوع.(ummī wa ukhtī yaḏhabna ilā al-sūq kull usbūʿ.) – My mother and sister go to the market every week.
سَوْفَ تَزُورُ صديقتها غداً.(sawfa tazūru ṣadīqatahā ghadan.) – She will visit her friend tomorrow.النساء سَيُشَارِكْنَ في المؤتمر الشهر القادم.(al-nisāʾ sayushārikna fī al-muʾtamar al-shahr al-qādim.) – The women will participate in the conference next month.
جمع غير العاقل - jamʿ ghayr al-ʿāqil)جمع غير العاقل must be conjugated in the third-person singular feminine form (i.e., using the تَـ prefix, like 'she'). This rule is not merely an option; it is a strict grammatical requirement.- Why does this rule exist? Linguists suggest this rule simplifies agreement by reducing the number of complex plural forms needed for inanimate objects. It's a grammatical shortcut that streamlines the language's morphology for a vast category of nouns, providing a more consistent and predictable structure.
السيارات تَسِيرُ بِسُرْعَة.(al-sayyārāt tasīru bi-surʿa.) – The cars are moving quickly. (Literally:
Present Tense Conjugation (Form I)
| Pronoun | Prefix | Root | Suffix | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
هي (She)
|
تـ
|
درس
|
-
|
تدرس
|
|
هن (They f)
|
يـ
|
درس
|
ـنَ
|
يدرسن
|
Meanings
This rule covers the conjugation of Form I verbs in the present tense for the third-person feminine singular (she) and third-person feminine plural (they).
Third-person feminine singular
Describing an action performed by one female.
“هي تلعب في الحديقة”
“هي تشرب القهوة”
Third-person feminine plural
Describing an action performed by a group of females.
“هن يكتبن الواجب”
“هن يذهبن إلى المدرسة”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (She)
|
تـ + Root + u
|
تكتب
|
|
Affirmative (They f)
|
يـ + Root + na
|
يكتبن
|
|
Negative (She)
|
لا + تـ + Root + u
|
لا تكتب
|
|
Negative (They f)
|
لا + يـ + Root + na
|
لا يكتبن
|
|
Question (She)
|
هل + تـ + Root + u
|
هل تكتب؟
|
|
Question (They f)
|
هل + يـ + Root + na
|
هل يكتبن؟
|
Formality Spectrum
هي تعمل. (Work)
هي تعمل. (Work)
هي عم تشتغل. (Work)
هي شغالة. (Work)
Feminine Verb Map
Singular
- تدرس She studies
Plural
- يدرسن They (f) study
Examples by Level
هي تدرس العربية
She studies Arabic
هن يكتبن الواجب
They (fem) write the homework
هي تشرب الشاي
She drinks tea
هن يعملن هنا
They (fem) work here
هل هي تلعب الكرة؟
Is she playing ball?
هن لا يذهبن إلى السوق
They (fem) are not going to the market
هي تحب القراءة
She likes reading
هن يقرأن الصحيفة
They (fem) are reading the newspaper
هي تسكن في مدينة كبيرة
She lives in a big city
هن يطبخن طعاماً لذيذاً
They (fem) are cooking delicious food
هي تدرس الطب في الجامعة
She studies medicine at the university
هن يشاركن في الاجتماع
They (fem) are participating in the meeting
هي تتقن اللغة العربية بطلاقة
She masters the Arabic language fluently
هن ينسقن العمل الجماعي ببراعة
They (fem) coordinate the teamwork skillfully
هي تساهم في تطوير المشروع
She contributes to the project development
هن يمثلن الشركة في المؤتمر
They (fem) represent the company at the conference
هي تستشرف المستقبل برؤية واضحة
She envisions the future with a clear vision
هن يحللن البيانات بدقة متناهية
They (fem) analyze the data with extreme precision
هي تتبنى استراتيجيات مبتكرة
She adopts innovative strategies
هن يبتكرن حلولاً للتحديات الراهنة
They (fem) innovate solutions for current challenges
هي تتجلى في أبهى صورها
She manifests in her most beautiful form
هن يضطلعن بمسؤوليات جسيمة
They (fem) undertake grave responsibilities
هي تضفي لمسة فنية على العمل
She adds an artistic touch to the work
هن يرسخن قيم التسامح في المجتمع
They (fem) entrench the values of tolerance in society
Easily Confused
Both use the 'ta-' prefix.
Learners often use masculine for both.
Mixing up the tenses.
Common Mistakes
هي يدرس
هي تدرس
هن يدرسون
هن يدرسن
هي تدرسن
هي تدرس
هن تدرسن
هن يدرسن
هي لا تدرسن
هي لا تدرس
هل هن يدرس؟
هل هن يدرسن؟
هي تدرسون
هي تدرس
هن يدرسوا
هن يدرسن
هي تدرسين
هي تدرس
هن يدرسون
هن يدرسن
هن تدرسن
هن يدرسن
هي تدرسن
هي تدرس
هن يدرس
هن يدرسن
Sentence Patterns
هي ___ في البيت.
هن ___ في المكتب.
هل هي ___ العربية؟
هن لا ___ في هذا الوقت.
Real World Usage
هي عم تدرس
هي تتقن العمل
هن يشاركن الصور
هي تسكن هنا
هي تطلب الطعام
هن يحللن البيانات
Context is King
Don't skip the suffix
Practice with pronouns
Dialect vs MSA
Smart Tips
Look for the pronoun before the verb.
Remember 'N' for 'Nuns' (group of women).
Always use the feminine plural for all-female groups.
Don't worry if you use masculine plural, but be aware of the formal rule.
Pronunciation
Ta- prefix
The 'ta' should be crisp and clear.
-na suffix
The 'na' is a nasal sound.
Statement
هي تدرس ↘
Falling intonation for statements.
Question
هل هي تدرس؟ ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'T' for 'Two' (She is one, but T is the start) and 'N' for 'Nuns' (a group of women).
Visual Association
Imagine a girl (She) pointing at her watch (Ta-), and a group of women (They) wearing matching necklaces (Na-).
Rhyme
She starts with Ta, They end with Na.
Story
Layla is studying (تدرس). Her friends arrive. Now they are all studying (يدرسن). They are happy.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your mother and 3 sentences about your sisters using different verbs.
Cultural Notes
In Levantine, the feminine plural is often replaced by the masculine plural.
Egyptian dialect uses different verb forms entirely.
Gulf dialects maintain some classical forms but vary in pronunciation.
The feminine forms evolved from Proto-Semitic roots.
Conversation Starters
ماذا تفعل أختك؟
ماذا تفعل زميلاتك في العمل؟
كيف تقضي صديقتك وقت فراغها؟
ما هي اهتمامات النساء في بلدك؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
هي ___ (تدرس/يدرسن) العربية.
هن ___ (تكتب/يكتبن) الواجب.
Find and fix the mistake:
هي يدرس.
هي تدرس -> هن ___
The 'ta-' prefix is only for 'she'.
A: ماذا تفعل ليلى؟ B: هي ___.
هي / تشرب / القهوة
كتب -> ___
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesهي ___ (تدرس/يدرسن) العربية.
هن ___ (تكتب/يكتبن) الواجب.
Find and fix the mistake:
هي يدرس.
هي تدرس -> هن ___
The 'ta-' prefix is only for 'she'.
A: ماذا تفعل ليلى؟ B: هي ___.
هي / تشرب / القهوة
كتب -> ___
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesالبنت ___ إلى المدرسة.
رسالة / هي / تكتبُ
Translate: They (fem. plural) study.
السيارات ___ بسرعة. (move)
فاطمة يشربُ الشاي.
Match pronouns to verbs:
هنّ ___ إلى السوق.
Which is correct?
المعلمة ___.
هنّ يعملون.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is a common feature in Arabic. Context is used to distinguish them.
No, use the masculine plural for mixed groups.
In MSA, yes. In dialects, it is often dropped.
The conjugation rules still apply.
Add 'la' before the verb.
No, the patterns are very consistent.
Try writing about your family.
Some weak verbs have slight changes, but the prefixes remain.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ella estudia
Arabic uses prefixes for person, Spanish uses suffixes.
Elle étudie
Arabic verb conjugation is more complex.
Sie lernt
German verb conjugation is less gender-dependent.
Kanojo wa benkyou suru
Arabic is highly inflected.
Ta xuexi
Arabic is a fusional language.
Hiya bitudrus
Dialects are simplified.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
Arabic Present & Future: The Imperfect Tense (Al-Mudari')
Overview The Arabic Imperfect Tense, known as `الفِعْل المُضَارِع` (`al-fiʿl al-muḍāriʿ`), is fundamental for expressing...
The 'Mansoub' Mood: Saying 'To', 'So That', and 'Will Not'
Overview Arabic grammar employs a system of verb moods that indicate how an action is perceived or intended, a concept d...
Talking to a Girl in Arabic: Present Tense (anti)
Overview In Arabic, precision in address is paramount, particularly when speaking to individuals. Unlike English, where...
Arabic Past Tense: He Did (kataba)
Overview The Arabic past tense verb for "he did" is not merely a conjugation; it is the **fundamental building block** f...
Arabic Past Tense: You (m) did it! (-ta)
Overview In Arabic, expressing a completed action directed at a single male requires a specific verb conjugation known a...
