A1 Pronouns 15 min read Easy

Arabic Relative Pronouns (al-ladhi, al-lati)

Relative pronouns link definite nouns to descriptions, requiring strict gender and number agreement in Modern Standard Arabic.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Relative pronouns connect a noun to a description; use 'al-ladhi' for masculine and 'al-lati' for feminine.

  • Use 'al-ladhi' (الذي) for singular masculine nouns: 'The man who eats' (الرجل الذي يأكل).
  • Use 'al-lati' (التي) for singular feminine nouns: 'The woman who eats' (المرأة التي تأكل).
  • The relative pronoun must match the gender of the noun it describes.
Noun + (al-ladhi/al-lati) + Description

Overview

Arabic relative pronouns are the linguistic bridges that connect a definite noun to a subsequent clause describing or specifying it. Much like 'who,' 'which,' or 'that' in English, these pronouns introduce a relative clause that provides essential information about an antecedent noun. In Arabic, the two foundational forms you will encounter at the A1 level are الذي (al-ladhī) for singular masculine antecedents and التي (al-latī) for singular feminine antecedents.

The crucial distinction in Arabic grammar, which sets it apart from English, is the definiteness of the noun being described. You will only use an Arabic relative pronoun when the noun it refers to is definite (i.e., preceded by الـ (al-)). If the noun is indefinite, Arabic employs a 'zero relative clause' structure, where the descriptive clause immediately follows the noun without any explicit connector.

This nuanced rule is central to constructing grammatically correct and natural-sounding Arabic sentences and is often a primary hurdle for beginners.

Mastering these pronouns allows you to move beyond simple declarative sentences. Instead of saying, 'The student is intelligent. The student won the prize,' you can elegantly combine them: 'The student who won the prize is intelligent.' This ability to embed descriptive information directly within a sentence is fundamental for fluent communication and comprehension of both spoken and written Arabic.

Arabic relative pronouns also require agreement in both gender and number with their antecedent, a principle that underpins much of Arabic syntax.

How This Grammar Works

Arabic's approach to relative clauses is deeply rooted in its emphasis on clarity and the marking of definiteness. The presence of the definite article الـ (al-) on a noun serves as a clear signal that specific, known information about that noun is about to follow. This is why Arabic uses a relative pronoun with definite nouns: it explicitly links a specifically identified item to its further description.
When a noun is indefinite, however, it's considered one of many, and the following clause merely adds an attribute to any such noun, making an explicit connector unnecessary.
Consider the fundamental patterns:
1. Definite Antecedent + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause
When the noun you are describing is definite, you must use the appropriate relative pronoun. This pronoun acts as the subject or object within the relative clause, but its primary function is connective. The pronoun itself must agree in gender and number with the definite noun it refers to.
Following the relative pronoun, you will find the clause that contains the descriptive information. Crucially, this descriptive clause often includes a resumptive pronoun (ضَمِير العَائِد - ḍamīr al-ʿā’id), a small pronoun (e.g., -ه, -ها, -هم) that refers back to the antecedent noun. This resumptive pronoun ensures the clause is grammatically complete and clearly linked to the noun.
  • الرجلُ الذي جاءَ. (al-rajulu al-ladhī jā’a.) – "The man who came." (جاءَ - came, already implies a subject)
  • السيارةُ التي اشتريتها. (al-sayyāratu al-latī ishtaraytuhā.) – "The car which I bought it." (The -ها (-hā) is the resumptive pronoun referring to السيارة).
2. Indefinite Antecedent + Zero Relative Clause
If the noun is indefinite (i.e., lacks الـ and typically ends with tanwīn), you do not use a relative pronoun. Instead, the descriptive clause immediately follows the indefinite noun. This structure is known as a "zero relative clause" because the connector is implied, not stated.
The clause still describes the noun, but without the explicit linkage of a relative pronoun.
  • جاءَ رجلٌ يتكلمُ العربيةَ. (jā’a rajulun yatakallamu al-ʿarabiyyah.) – "A man who speaks Arabic came." (Literally: "Came a man speaks Arabic.")
  • قرأتُ كتاباً جديداً. (qara’tu kitāban jadīdan.) – "I read a new book." (Here, جديداً (jadīdan) is an adjective, but if it were a verb clause, the principle would be the same: قرأتُ كتاباً كتبهُ صديقي. (qara’tu kitāban katabahu ṣadīqī.) – "I read a book which my friend wrote it.")
The resumptive pronoun is a linguistic device to maintain a clear grammatical connection. While often omitted in English translation for naturalness, its presence in Arabic is vital, especially when the antecedent functions as an object within the relative clause. It is the anchor that pulls the descriptive clause back to its definite noun, reinforcing the precise relationship.

Formation Pattern

1
Arabic relative pronouns are part of a small, distinct family of words that always begin with الـ (al-), marking them as definite. Their form changes to match the gender and number of the definite noun they refer to. This agreement is non-negotiable for correct grammar. Understanding these forms is the cornerstone of utilizing them effectively. Note that while at A1 you will focus heavily on the singulars and masculine plural, it is beneficial to be aware of the other forms.
2
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the relative pronouns:
3
| Number | Gender | Relative Pronoun (Tashkeel) | Transliteration | Meaning | Usage |
4
| :-------- | :---------- | :-------------------------- | :------------------ | :---------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
5
| Singular | Masculine | الذي (al-ladhī) | al-ladhī | "the one who/which/that" (M. S.) | For single masculine nouns. |
6
| | Feminine | التي (al-latī) | al-latī | "the one who/which/that" (F. S.) | For single feminine nouns. |
7
| Dual | Masculine | اللذانِ (al-ladhānī) / اللذينِ (al-ladhayni) | al-ladhānī / al-ladhayni | "the two who/which/that" (M. D.) | For two masculine nouns. (al-ladhānī for nominative, al-ladhayni for accusative/genitive)|
8
| | Feminine | اللتانِ (al-latānī) / اللتينِ (al-latayni) | al-latānī / al-latayni | "the two who/which/that" (F. D.) | For two feminine nouns. (al-latānī for nominative, al-latayni for accusative/genitive)|
9
| Plural | Masculine (rational) | الذينَ (al-ladhīna) | al-ladhīna | "those who/which/that" (M. Pl. Rational) | For three or more masculine rational beings (people). |
10
| | Feminine (rational) | اللاتي (al-lātī), اللائي (al-lā’ī), اللواتي (al-lawātī) | al-lātī, al-lā’ī, al-lawātī | "those who/which/that" (F. Pl. Rational) | For three or more feminine rational beings (people). (اللاتي is most common)|
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| | Non-human Plural | التي (al-latī) | al-latī | "the things which/that" (F. S. equiv.) | For any plural noun that is not rational (e.g., books, cars, trees). |
12
Key Observations on Formation:
13
Invariable Nature: The singular forms (الذي, التي) and the masculine plural (الذين) are generally considered indeclinable in terms of their final vowel, meaning they do not change their ending based on their grammatical case (nominative, accusative, genitive). Their forms remain constant. This simplifies usage at the beginner level.
14
Dual Declension: The dual forms (اللذانِ/اللذينِ, اللتانِ/اللتينِ) are unique because they do inflect for case. They behave like regular dual nouns, using ـانِ (-āni) for the nominative case and ـينِ (-ayni) for the accusative and genitive cases. While this might seem advanced for A1, recognizing the two forms is a useful preparatory step.
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Non-human Plural Exception: This is a crucial rule to internalize. In Arabic, all non-human plural nouns (e.g., الكتب (al-kutub - the books), السيارات (al-sayyārāt - the cars)) are treated grammatically as singular feminine. Consequently, they always take the singular feminine relative pronoun التي (al-latī). This is a common point of error for learners, as it deviates significantly from English logic. For example: الكتبُ التي قرأتُها مفيدةٌ. (al-kutubu al-latī qara’tuhā mufīdah.) – "The books which I read them are useful."

When To Use It

You should employ an Arabic relative pronoun whenever you need to introduce a clause that provides specific, additional information about a definite noun in your sentence. This clarifies which specific noun you are referring to among potentially many. Think of it as a spotlight, highlighting exactly which 'man' or 'car' you mean.
1. Identifying Specific Individuals or Objects:
When you need to pinpoint a particular person or thing, the relative pronoun is indispensable. It differentiates one item from others of its kind.
  • أحبُّ الطالبَ الذي يُجيدُ اللغةَ الإنجليزيةَ. (uḥibbu al-ṭāliba al-ladhī yujīdu al-lughata al-injlīziyyah.) – "I like the student who is proficient in English." (This specifies which student.)
  • هذهِ هي المدينةُ التي زرتُها الأسبوعَ الماضي. (hādhī hiya al-madīnatu al-latī zurtuhā al-usbuʿa al-māḍī.) – "This is the city which I visited last week." (Identifying a specific city.)
2. Providing Essential Descriptive Details:
Relative clauses, introduced by these pronouns, often carry information that is crucial for understanding the antecedent. They are not merely supplementary; they are defining.
  • الكتابُ الذي على الطاولةِ لي. (al-kitābu al-ladhī ʿalā al-ṭāwilati lī.) – "The book that is on the table is mine." (The location is essential to identify the book.)
  • الفكرةُ التي اقترحتَها رائعةٌ. (al-fikratu al-latī iqtaraḥtahā rā’iʿah.) – "The idea which you suggested is wonderful." (The suggestion defines the idea.)
3. Connecting Sentences for Fluency:
Instead of short, choppy sentences, relative pronouns allow you to create more sophisticated and interconnected expressions. This is a hallmark of more advanced language use, even at A1, as it directly impacts your ability to tell coherent stories or provide detailed explanations.
  • Compare: قرأتُ خبراً. الخبرُ كانَ صادماً. (qara’tu khabaran. al-kharabu kāna ṣādiman.) – "I read a piece of news. The news was shocking."
  • With: قرأتُ الخبرَ الذي كانَ صادماً. (qara’tu al-khabara al-ladhī kāna ṣādiman.) – "I read the news that was shocking."
4. Usage in Modern Contexts:
Relative pronouns are prevalent in all forms of Arabic communication:
  • News Articles & Formal Texts: They provide precise details about events, people, and policies: القرارُ الذي اتخذتهُ الحكومةُ... (al-qarāru al-ladhī ittakhadhat’hu al-ḥukūmatu...) – "The decision that the government made..."
  • Academic Writing: Essential for constructing complex arguments and explanations.
  • Social Media & Emails: While informal spoken dialects often use اللي (illī), in written posts or emails, especially in slightly more formal contexts, the MSA forms الذي and التي are common and show good command of the language.

Common Mistakes

Understanding common pitfalls is as important as learning the rules themselves. Many errors in using Arabic relative pronouns stem from direct translation from English or from overlooking Arabic's specific grammatical requirements.
1. Using a Relative Pronoun with an Indefinite Noun:
This is arguably the most frequent and significant error for English speakers. In English, you might say, "I saw a man who was tall." In Arabic, the indefinite رجلٌ (rajulun - a man) does not take a relative pronoun.
  • Incorrect: رأيتُ رجلاً الذي كانَ طويلاً. (ra’aytu rajulan al-ladhī kāna ṭawīlan.) ❌
  • Correct: رأيتُ رجلاً كانَ طويلاً. (ra’aytu rajulan kāna ṭawīlan.) – "I saw a man who was tall." (The clause كانَ طويلاً directly describes رجلاً).
2. Lack of Gender and Number Agreement:
The relative pronoun must match the antecedent noun in both gender and number. Misgendering or mis-numbering is a clear indicator of a beginner.
  • Incorrect: المعلمةُ الذي شرحتِ الدرسَ. (al-muʿallimatu al-ladhī sharaḥati al-darsa.) (Using masculine الذي for feminine المعلمة) ❌
  • Correct: المعلمةُ التي شرحتِ الدرسَ. (al-muʿallimatu al-latī sharaḥati al-darsa.) – "The teacher (f.) who explained the lesson."
3. Omitting the Resumptive Pronoun (ضَمِير العَائِد):
This is a critical, often-missed component. The resumptive pronoun is a small pronoun within the relative clause that refers back to the antecedent. It's often redundant in English but essential for grammatical completeness in Arabic. It can be a direct object, an object of a preposition, or even the subject (though less common with كانَ type clauses).
  • Incorrect (missing direct object resumptive): الكتابُ الذي قرأتُ. (al-kitābu al-ladhī qara’tu.) ❌
  • Correct: الكتابُ الذي قرأتُهُ. (al-kitābu al-ladhī qara’tuhu.) – "The book which I read it."
  • Incorrect (missing prepositional object resumptive): المدرسةُ التي ذهبتُ. (al-madrasatu al-latī dhahabtu.) ❌
  • Correct: المدرسةُ التي ذهبتُ إليها. (al-madrasatu al-latī dhahabtu ilayhā.) – "The school to which I went to it." (إليها (ilayhā) combines إلى (to) + ها (it)).
4. Incorrectly Handling Non-human Plurals:
As previously explained, non-human plural nouns (جمع غير العاقل) are treated as grammatically singular feminine. Using الذينَ (al-ladhīna) or other plural forms for them is incorrect.
  • Incorrect: السياراتُ الذينَ رأيتُها غاليةٌ. (al-sayyārātu al-ladhīna ra’aytuhā ghāliyah.) ❌
  • Correct: السياراتُ التي رأيتُها غاليةٌ. (al-sayyārātu al-latī ra’aytuhā ghāliyah.) – "The cars which I saw them are expensive."
5. Confusion with Case in Dual Forms:
While the singular and masculine plural relative pronouns do not change their endings for grammatical case, the dual forms (اللذانِ/اللذينِ, اللتانِ/اللتينِ) do. Beginners sometimes forget this distinction.
  • Incorrect (nominative where accusative is needed): رأيتُ الطالبينِ اللذانِ نجحا. (ra’aytu al-ṭālibayni al-ladhānī najaḥā.) (The students are in accusative, but the pronoun is nominative) ❌
  • Correct: رأيتُ الطالبينِ اللذينِ نجحا. (ra’aytu al-ṭālibayni al-ladhayni najaḥā.) – "I saw the two students who succeeded."
By being mindful of definiteness, agreement, the resumptive pronoun, and the special rule for non-human plurals, you can navigate these common pitfalls and construct accurate relative clauses.

Real Conversations

Understanding how relative pronouns function in authentic, contemporary Arabic communication will significantly enhance your practical usage. While formal written Arabic (فصحى - fuṣḥā) consistently uses the full forms, spoken dialects (عامية - ʿāmmiyyah) often employ a simplified, invariable form, most commonly اللي (illī). However, recognizing and using the MSA forms is essential for comprehension across all registers and for building a strong foundation.

1. In Texting and Social Media:

Even in informal written contexts, you'll encounter MSA forms, particularly when a speaker wants to be precise or add a touch of formality. The dialectal اللي (illī) is common, but knowing the MSA equivalents allows you to understand the underlying grammatical structure.

- MSA Example (email/formal message): أرسلتُ لكَ الرابطَ الذي طلبتَهُ. (arsaltu laka al-rābiṭa al-ladhī ṭalabtahu.) – "I sent you the link which you requested it."

- Dialectal Equivalent (text message): بعتلك الرابط اللي طلبته. (baʿatt-lak al-rābiṭ illī ṭalabtah.) – "I sent you the link that you requested."

- MSA Example (social media post): الرحلةُ التي قضيناها كانت رائعةً. (al-riḥlatu al-latī qaḍaynāhā kānat rā’iʿatan.) – "The trip which we spent it was wonderful."

2. In Work Emails and Formal Settings:

In professional correspondence, academic writing, or news reports, the full MSA forms are standard and expected. They convey precision and adherence to classical Arabic grammar.

- نحنُ نُقدِّرُ الجهودَ التي بذلتموها. (naḥnu nuqaddiru al-juhūda al-latī badhaltumūhā.) – "We appreciate the efforts which you exerted them."

- الموظفُ الذي أكملَ المشروعَ سيُكَرَّمُ. (al-muwaẓẓafu al-ladhī akmala al-mashrūʿa sa-yukarramu.) – "The employee who completed the project will be honored."

3. In Casual Conversation (Underlying Structure):

While اللي (illī) dominates spoken Arabic, the logical function of relative pronouns remains identical. Native speakers intuitively understand the definiteness and agreement principles, even when using the simplified form. Learning the MSA forms first provides the mental framework to easily understand their dialectal counterparts. The choice between الذي and اللي is often a register choice, much like saying "whom" versus "who" in English.

- الشخصُ الذي قابلتُهُ اليومَ لطيفٌ جداً. (al-shaḵṣu al-ladhī qābaltuhu al-yawma laṭīfun jiddan.) – "The person who I met him today is very kind."

C

Cultural Insight

The extensive use of relative clauses in Arabic, particularly in formal texts, contributes to the language's reputation for eloquence and precision. Mastering these structures allows you to appreciate the depth and complexity of Arabic expression, whether you're reading classical poetry or a contemporary newspaper.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Arabic relative pronouns, addressing common beginner curiosities and reinforcing key points.
Q: Can الذي (al-ladhī) and التي (al-latī) refer to both people and things?
A: Absolutely, yes. Unlike English, which often differentiates between "who" for people and "which" for things, Arabic relative pronouns do not make this distinction. الذي can mean "who" (for a masculine person) or "which/that" (for a masculine object).
Similarly, التي can refer to a feminine person or a feminine object. The key is simply gender and number agreement with the antecedent, not animacy.
Q: Why do non-human plurals take التي (al-latī) (singular feminine)?
A: This is a fundamental and often counter-intuitive rule in Arabic grammar. In Arabic, most non-human plural nouns (جمع غير العاقل - jamʿ ghayr al-ʿāqil) are treated grammatically as singular feminine. This applies regardless of the original gender of the singular noun.
For instance, كتاب (kitāb - book, masculine singular) becomes كتب (kutub - books, non-human plural), which then behaves as feminine singular. The linguistic rationale often relates to the idea that a collection of inanimate objects is perceived as a single entity or group, which is then assigned feminine singularity for grammatical purposes. So, always remember: الكتبُ التي قرأتُها (al-kutubu al-latī qara’tuhā) – "The books which I read them."
Q: Do I always need a resumptive pronoun (ضَمِير العَائِد) in the relative clause?
A: Almost always, yes. The resumptive pronoun (e.g., -ه, -ها, -هم) is crucial for grammatical completeness and ensures the relative clause clearly links back to the antecedent noun. It functions as the direct object, object of a preposition, or occasionally the subject within the relative clause.
The only common exception where it might seem absent is when the relative pronoun itself acts as the subject of the relative clause, and the verb inherently includes the subject (e.g., الرجلُ الذي جاءَ. (al-rajulu al-ladhī jā’a.)). However, even here, جاءَ inherently means "he came," with هو (huwa - he) being the implied resumptive subject. For beginner learners, it is safest to assume a resumptive pronoun is required and actively look for it or include it.
Q: Are these MSA relative pronouns used in spoken Arabic?
A: While the full Modern Standard Arabic forms like الذي and التي are fully understood and can be used, spoken Arabic dialects predominantly use a simplified, invariable relative pronoun, most commonly اللي (illī). This اللي functions for all genders, numbers, and types of antecedents. However, learning the MSA forms first is vital.
It provides the rigorous grammatical foundation necessary to understand formal Arabic, news, literature, and to grasp the underlying structure that اللي simplifies. Think of MSA forms as the blueprint; dialectal forms are the practical application.
Q: Does the relative pronoun ever change its ending based on its grammatical case (nominative, accusative, genitive)?
A: For the singular forms (الذي, التي) and the plural masculine rational form (الذين), the answer is generally no; they are indeclinable (مبني - mabnī). Their endings remain constant regardless of their grammatical function in the main sentence. However, the dual forms (اللذانِ/اللذينِ and اللتانِ/اللتينِ) are declinable.
They inflect like regular dual nouns, using ـانِ (-āni) for the nominative case and ـينِ (-ayni) for the accusative and genitive cases. This is an important distinction to note for future stages of your learning, even if your A1 focus remains primarily on the invariable forms.

Relative Pronoun Gender Matching

Gender Number Pronoun (Arabic) Pronoun (Transliteration)
Masculine
Singular
الذي
al-ladhi
Feminine
Singular
التي
al-lati
Masculine
Plural
الذين
al-ladhina
Feminine
Plural
اللواتي
al-lawati

Meanings

Relative pronouns act as bridges between a noun and a descriptive clause, specifying which person or object is being discussed.

1

Human Reference

Used to identify a specific person.

“الطالب الذي يدرس (The student who studies)”

“المعلمة التي تشرح (The teacher who explains)”

2

Object Reference

Used to identify a specific object or thing.

“الكتاب الذي قرأته (The book that I read)”

“السيارة التي اشتريتها (The car that I bought)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Arabic Relative Pronouns (al-ladhi, al-lati)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Noun + al-ladhi + Verb
الرجل الذي يقرأ
Negative
Noun + al-ladhi + la + Verb
الرجل الذي لا يقرأ
Question
Man + al-ladhi + Verb?
من هو الرجل الذي يقرأ؟
Feminine
Noun + al-lati + Verb
المرأة التي تقرأ
Plural
Noun + al-ladhina + Verb
الرجال الذين يقرأون
Object
Noun + al-lati + Verb
السيارة التي اشتريتها

Formality Spectrum

Formal
الرجل الذي يعمل.

الرجل الذي يعمل. (Workplace/Casual)

Neutral
الرجل الذي يعمل.

الرجل الذي يعمل. (Workplace/Casual)

Informal
الزلمة اللي بيشتغل.

الزلمة اللي بيشتغل. (Workplace/Casual)

Slang
اللي بيشتغل.

اللي بيشتغل. (Workplace/Casual)

Relative Pronoun Connections

Relative Pronoun

Masculine

  • الذي who/that

Feminine

  • التي who/that
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Examples by Level

1

الولد الذي يلعب

The boy who plays

2

البنت التي تقرأ

The girl who reads

3

الرجل الذي يأكل

The man who eats

4

المرأة التي تكتب

The woman who writes

1

هذا هو الكتاب الذي اشتريته

This is the book that I bought

2

هذه هي السيارة التي أريدها

This is the car that I want

3

من هو الطالب الذي يتحدث؟

Who is the student who is talking?

4

أين هي القطة التي كانت هنا؟

Where is the cat that was here?

1

الشركة التي أعمل فيها كبيرة

The company that I work in is big

2

الرجل الذي قابلته أمس كان لطيفاً

The man whom I met yesterday was kind

3

هذه هي الفكرة التي غيرت حياتي

This is the idea that changed my life

4

المدير الذي يثق بموظفيه ينجح

The manager who trusts his employees succeeds

1

القوانين التي وضعتها الحكومة صارمة

The laws that the government set are strict

2

هذا هو المشروع الذي سنعمل عليه

This is the project that we will work on

3

المدينة التي ولدت فيها جميلة جداً

The city in which I was born is very beautiful

4

الناس الذين يسافرون كثيراً يتعلمون الكثير

People who travel a lot learn a lot

1

تلك هي القضية التي أثارت جدلاً واسعاً

That is the issue that sparked wide controversy

2

العلماء الذين ساهموا في هذا البحث مبدعون

The scientists who contributed to this research are creative

3

القيم التي نؤمن بها تحدد هويتنا

The values that we believe in define our identity

4

المبادرة التي أطلقتها المؤسسة حققت نجاحاً

The initiative that the foundation launched achieved success

1

إنها الرؤية التي استشرفها المفكرون

It is the vision that the thinkers foresaw

2

الذين يدركون جوهر اللغة يتقنونها

Those who realize the essence of language master it

3

الاستراتيجيات التي اعتمدناها أثبتت فعاليتها

The strategies that we adopted proved their effectiveness

4

اللحظة التي أدركت فيها الحقيقة كانت فارقة

The moment in which I realized the truth was pivotal

Easily Confused

Arabic Relative Pronouns (al-ladhi, al-lati) vs Demonstrative Pronouns (Hadha/Hadhihi)

Learners often use 'hadha' when they mean 'the one that'.

Arabic Relative Pronouns (al-ladhi, al-lati) vs Interrogative 'Man' (Who)

Learners confuse 'man' (who) with 'al-ladhi' (the one who).

Arabic Relative Pronouns (al-ladhi, al-lati) vs Dialectal 'Illi'

Learners try to use 'illi' in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

✗

الولد التي يركض

✓

الولد الذي يركض

Mismatching gender: 'al-ladhi' must be used for masculine nouns.
✗

البنت الذي تقرأ

✓

البنت التي تقرأ

Mismatching gender: 'al-lati' must be used for feminine nouns.
✗

الرجل يقرأ

✓

الرجل الذي يقرأ

Missing the relative pronoun entirely.
✗

الذي رجل يقرأ

✓

الرجل الذي يقرأ

Incorrect word order.
✗

الكتب الذي قرأتها

✓

الكتب التي قرأتها

Non-human plurals take the feminine singular pronoun.
✗

السيارات الذين اشتريتها

✓

السيارات التي اشتريتها

Using a human plural pronoun for objects.
✗

هذا هو الذي كتاب

✓

هذا هو الكتاب الذي

Incorrect placement of the relative pronoun.
✗

الرجل الذي هو يقرأ

✓

الرجل الذي يقرأ

Redundant pronoun usage.
✗

الشركة الذي أعمل فيها

✓

الشركة التي أعمل فيها

Feminine noun requires 'al-lati'.
✗

الطلاب الذي يدرسون

✓

الطلاب الذين يدرسون

Plural human noun requires 'al-ladhina'.
✗

الذين يقرأون هم الطلاب

✓

الطلاب الذين يقرأون

Incorrect clause structure for emphasis.
✗

التي هي كتبت

✓

التي كتبت

Unnecessary pronoun inclusion.
✗

الرجال التي يقرأون

✓

الرجال الذين يقرأون

Using feminine singular for masculine plural.

Sentence Patterns

هذا هو ___ الذي ___

هذه هي ___ التي ___

أنا أحب الشخص الذي ___

هذا هو الشيء الذي ___

Real World Usage

Texting constant

الرجل اللي شفته مبارح

Social Media very common

هذه هي الصورة التي التقطتها

Job Interview common

أنا المرشح الذي لديه خبرة

Ordering Food common

أريد الشطيرة التي فيها جبن

Travel occasional

الفندق الذي حجزته جميل

Academic Writing very common

النتائج التي توصلنا إليها

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⚠️

The Invisible Bridge

Never use 'al-ladhi' if the noun is indefinite. 'Kitab al-ladhi' is wrong; it must be 'al-kitab al-ladhi' or just 'kitab'.
🎯

Non-Human Plural Hack

Treat all non-human plurals (books, cars, trees) as a single lady. They always take 'al-lati'.
💡

Dialect Shortcut

In daily speech, people say 'illi' for everything. But in exams and formal writing, stick to the MSA forms.

Smart Tips

Insert the relative pronoun to connect them.

الرجل يقرأ → الرجل الذي يقرأ

Use the feminine singular pronoun.

الكتب الذين قرأتها → الكتب التي قرأتها

Avoid dialectal 'illi'.

الرجل اللي يقرأ → الرجل الذي يقرأ

Use 'man' for the person, not the relative pronoun.

الذي يقرأ؟ → من الذي يقرأ؟

Pronunciation

al-LA-dhee

Glottal Stop

The 'al-' prefix is pronounced clearly, but the 'a' in 'al-ladhi' is short.

Rising Intonation

الرجل الذي يقرأ؟

Used when asking a question about a specific person.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'al-ladhi' as the 'he' connector (ending in 'i' like 'he') and 'al-lati' as the 'she' connector (ending in 'i' like 'she').

Visual Association

Imagine a bridge between two islands. One island has a man (al-ladhi) and the other has a woman (al-lati). The bridge is the relative pronoun connecting them to their actions.

Rhyme

Al-ladhi for the guy, al-lati for the lady, keep it simple, don't be shady!

Story

Ahmed (al-ladhi) went to the store. Sarah (al-lati) went to the library. They both used their relative pronouns to describe what they did. Ahmed bought the book that he liked, and Sarah read the story that she loved.

Word Web

الذيالتيالذيناللواتيالاسم الموصولربط

Challenge

Write 5 sentences describing people or things in your room using 'al-ladhi' or 'al-lati'.

Cultural Notes

In Levantine dialect, 'al-ladhi' and 'al-lati' are almost universally replaced by 'illi'.

Egyptian Arabic also uses 'illi' for all genders and numbers.

MSA maintains the full gender and number distinctions for formal writing and speech.

The relative pronouns in Arabic evolved from demonstrative roots that were used to point to specific entities.

Conversation Starters

“

من هو الشخص الذي تحبه؟

“

ما هو الكتاب الذي تقرأه الآن؟

“

صف لي الصديق الذي تثق به.

“

ما هي المهارة التي تريد تعلمها؟

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن صديقك الذي تحبه.
اكتب عن كتاب أو فيلم الذي شاهدته مؤخراً.
اكتب عن المكان الذي تحلم بزيارته.
اكتب عن التحدي الذي واجهته في حياتك.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct relative pronoun.

الرجل ___ يقرأ الكتاب.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الذي
Masculine singular noun.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

البنت ___ تكتب الدرس.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: التي
Feminine singular noun.
Correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

السيارة الذي اشتريتها.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: التي
Feminine noun requires 'al-lati'.
Transform the sentence to use a relative pronoun. Sentence Transformation

الرجل يقرأ. الرجل ذكي.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الرجل الذي يقرأ ذكي
Correct relative pronoun usage.
Match the noun to the correct pronoun. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الذين
Masculine plural.
Build a sentence using the given words. Sentence Building

المرأة / التي / تعمل / هنا

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: المرأة التي تعمل هنا
Correct word order.
Is this rule correct? True False Rule

Non-human plurals take the feminine singular pronoun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Standard rule for non-human plurals.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: من هو الطالب؟ B: هو الطالب ___ يدرس.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الذي
Masculine singular.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct relative pronoun.

الرجل ___ يقرأ الكتاب.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الذي
Masculine singular noun.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

البنت ___ تكتب الدرس.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: التي
Feminine singular noun.
Correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

السيارة الذي اشتريتها.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: التي
Feminine noun requires 'al-lati'.
Transform the sentence to use a relative pronoun. Sentence Transformation

الرجل يقرأ. الرجل ذكي.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الرجل الذي يقرأ ذكي
Correct relative pronoun usage.
Match the noun to the correct pronoun. Match Pairs

الرجال -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الذين
Masculine plural.
Build a sentence using the given words. Sentence Building

المرأة / التي / تعمل / هنا

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: المرأة التي تعمل هنا
Correct word order.
Is this rule correct? True False Rule

Non-human plurals take the feminine singular pronoun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Standard rule for non-human plurals.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: من هو الطالب؟ B: هو الطالب ___ يدرس.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الذي
Masculine singular.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

القهوة ___ شربتها كانت باردة.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: التي
Translate to Arabic Translation

The boy who is here.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الولد الذي هنا
Choose the correct relative pronoun for a non-human plural. Multiple Choice

السيارات ___ أحبها غالية.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: التي
Fix the mistake Error Correction

هذا كتاب الذي قرأته.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both are correct ways to fix it.
Match the noun to its pronoun Match Pairs

Match these:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الرجل: الذي, النساء: اللواتي, المدن: التي
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

رأيت / الذي / الولد / فاز

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: رأيت الولد الذي فاز
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

الطلاب ___ نجحوا فرحون.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الذين
Pick the correct formal form Multiple Choice

The ladies who work here:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: السيدات اللواتي يعملن هنا
Fix the pronoun Error Correction

هذه هي الصورة الذي التقطتها.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هذه هي الصورة التي التقطتها.
Translate to Arabic Translation

The phone that I lost.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الهاتف الذي فقدته

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, if you want to connect a noun to a descriptive clause in formal Arabic.

They usually take the feminine singular 'al-lati'.

No, 'illi' is for spoken dialects. Use 'al-ladhi/al-lati' for writing.

It is the plural form of 'al-ladhi'.

No, the gender rule applies to both.

You will likely be understood, but it will sound grammatically incorrect.

Yes, there are dual forms, but they are rare in modern usage.

Try describing objects in your house using these pronouns.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

que

Arabic relative pronouns must match the gender of the noun.

French moderate

qui/que

Arabic gender agreement is more rigid than French subject/object distinction.

German high

der/die/das

German has a complex case system; Arabic is simpler in this regard.

Japanese low

no

Arabic uses a pronoun; Japanese uses a particle.

Chinese low

de

Arabic is highly inflected for gender; Chinese is not.

English moderate

who/that

Arabic uses gender-based pronouns regardless of whether it's a person or object.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Arabic Relative Pronouns: Who, Which, That (الذي، التي)
Next
Arabic Relative Pronouns: The one who (alladhi, allati)

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