Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential word for pointing out feminine people, objects, or non-human groups right in front of you.
- Means: 'This' for feminine singular nouns and all non-human plurals.
- Used in: Introducing people, identifying objects, and describing scenes.
- Don't confuse: Never use it for masculine singular nouns; use 'هذا' instead.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Referring to a feminine singular object or person.
Cultural Background
When introducing a woman using 'hādhihi', it is common to follow it with a title like 'Al-Ustādha' (Professor/Lady) or 'Al-Sayyida' (Mrs.) to show respect. In casual conversation, 'hādhihi' is almost always replaced by 'hadi'. Using the full 'hādhihi' in a cafe might make you sound like a news anchor. The word is used frequently in the Quran to point to 'Ayāt' (signs/verses), which are grammatically feminine. This gives the word a spiritual connotation of 'beholding a miracle'. Egyptians often flip the sentence structure, putting the demonstrative 'di' at the end. This is a unique feature of the Cairene dialect.
The Tā’ Marbūṭa Rule
90% of the time, if a word ends in ة, use هذه. It's the safest bet for beginners.
Plural Trap
Don't use 'these' (hā'ulā'i) for things. Arabic treats 'things' as a single feminine lady. Use هذه!
The Tā’ Marbūṭa Rule
90% of the time, if a word ends in ة, use هذه. It's the safest bet for beginners.
Plural Trap
Don't use 'these' (hā'ulā'i) for things. Arabic treats 'things' as a single feminine lady. Use هذه!
The Dagger Alif
When reading, look for the tiny vertical stroke above the 'h'. That tells you to say 'Haa' instead of 'Ha'.
Polite Pointing
Use a full hand gesture rather than a single finger when using 'hādhihi' to refer to people.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct demonstrative for the word 'بنت' (girl).
____ بنت ذكية.
'Bint' is a feminine singular person, so 'hādhihi' is required.
Fill in the blank for the non-human plural: 'كتب' (books).
____ كتب مفيدة.
In Arabic, non-human plurals are treated as feminine singular.
Match the demonstrative with the correct noun.
Match these:
All these pairs follow the correct gender and plural rules.
Complete the introduction.
أحمد: يا منى، ____ أختي مريم.
Ahmed is introducing his sister, who is feminine and nearby.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Hādhihi vs. Hādhā
Practice Bank
5 exercises____ بنت ذكية.
'Bint' is a feminine singular person, so 'hādhihi' is required.
____ كتب مفيدة.
In Arabic, non-human plurals are treated as feminine singular.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All these pairs follow the correct gender and plural rules.
أحمد: يا منى، ____ أختي مريم.
Ahmed is introducing his sister, who is feminine and nearby.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThis is a historical spelling quirk. A few very common words in Arabic (like Allah, Haadha, and Haadhihi) omit the alif letter but keep the long vowel sound.
No. For any group of humans (men or mixed), you must use 'hā'ulā'i'.
In formal Arabic, you still use 'hā'ulā'i' for human females. 'Hādhihi' is strictly for singular females or non-human plurals.
Yes, but it often changes to 'hadi' (Levant), 'di' (Egypt), or 'hāy' (Iraq). However, everyone will understand 'hādhihi'.
No, it is 'mabnī' (fixed). It looks the same whether it's the subject or the object.
'Hādhihi bint' = This is a girl. 'Hādhihi al-bint' = This girl. The 'al-' makes the difference.
That is a common regional variation, especially in the Gulf and in classical poetry. Both are correct, but 'hādhihi' is more formal.
It is feminine! So you say 'hādhihi shams'. Arabic gender doesn't always match English.
Yes, you can say 'li-hādhihi al-asbāb' (for these reasons).
The dual form is 'hātān' (these two), but you only need this for very formal writing.
Related Phrases
هذا
contrastThis (masculine)
هؤلاء
builds onThese (human plural)
تلك
similarThat (feminine)
هنا
similarHere
هاتان
specialized formThese two (feminine)
Where to Use It
Introducing a friend
Ahmed: يا سارة، هذه صديقتي ليلى.
Sara: أهلاً يا ليلى، تشرّفنا.
Ordering at a bakery
Customer: أريد هذه الكعكة، من فضلك.
Baker: تفضل، أي شيء آخر؟
Looking at photos
Friend A: هذه الصور من رحلتي إلى دبي.
Friend B: واو! إنها رائعة جداً.
Job Interview
Candidate: هذه هي شهاداتي وخبراتي السابقة.
Interviewer: شكراً لك، سنراجعها.
In a taxi
Passenger: توقف عند هذه البناية، من فضلك.
Driver: حاضر، يا أستاذ.
At a museum
Guide: هذه اللوحة تعود للقرن التاسع عشر.
Visitor: الألوان مذهلة حقاً.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Hazihi' as 'Has she?' — you use it when you're pointing at a 'she' or a feminine thing.
Visual Association
Imagine a bright pink laser pointer (feminine) hitting a car, a girl, and a pile of books. The laser makes the sound 'Haa-dhee-hee'.
Rhyme
For a girl or a tree, use Hādhihi.
Story
A traveler enters a magical garden. He sees a queen and says 'Hādhihi'. He sees a rose and says 'Hādhihi'. He sees a pile of gold coins (non-human plural) and says 'Hādhihi'. Everything he points to with 'Hādhihi' turns to gold.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'cette' in French or 'esta' in Spanish, where the demonstrative must match the feminine gender of the noun.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room. Find 5 feminine objects (ending in Tā’ Marbūṭa) and 5 groups of objects. Point at each and say 'Hādhihi [Object Name]'.
Review the non-human plural rule on day 3, as it's the part most learners forget.
Pronunciation
The first syllable has a long 'a' sound, even though the alif isn't written.
The 'dh' is a voiced dental fricative, like the 'th' in 'this'.
The final 'hi' is a short, light breathy sound.
Formality Spectrum
هذه هي سيارتي. (Ownership)
هذه سيارتي. (Ownership)
دي عربيتي. (Egyptian) (Ownership)
هاذي موتري. (Gulf Slang) (Ownership)
Derived from the Proto-Semitic demonstrative base 'dhī' combined with the deictic prefix 'hā'.
Fun Fact
The 'hā' at the beginning is actually the same 'hā' used in 'Hā-anā-dhā' (Here I am!).
Cultural Notes
When introducing a woman using 'hādhihi', it is common to follow it with a title like 'Al-Ustādha' (Professor/Lady) or 'Al-Sayyida' (Mrs.) to show respect.
“هذه الأستاذة ليلى.”
In casual conversation, 'hādhihi' is almost always replaced by 'hadi'. Using the full 'hādhihi' in a cafe might make you sound like a news anchor.
“هادي القهوة كتير طيبة.”
The word is used frequently in the Quran to point to 'Ayāt' (signs/verses), which are grammatically feminine. This gives the word a spiritual connotation of 'beholding a miracle'.
“هذه ناقة الله.”
Egyptians often flip the sentence structure, putting the demonstrative 'di' at the end. This is a unique feature of the Cairene dialect.
“البنت دي شاطرة.”
Conversation Starters
ما هذه؟ (Pointing to something in the room)
من هذه السيدة؟
ما رأيك في هذه الصور؟
كيف تصف هذه المشكلة؟
Common Mistakes
هذا سيارة
هذه سيارة
L1 Interference
هؤلاء كتب
هذه كتب
L1 Interference
هذه ولد
هذا ولد
L1 Interference
هاذه
هذه
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
esta
Arabic uses the singular form for non-human plurals.
cette
French doesn't distinguish between human and non-human plurals for 'this'.
diese
German gender is often arbitrary and doesn't always align with Arabic gender.
これ (kore) / この (kono)
Total lack of gender in Japanese demonstratives.
这 (zhè)
Chinese uses measure words instead of gender agreement.
이 (i)
No gender or plural agreement in Korean demonstratives.
esta
Portuguese uses 'estas' for plurals, whereas Arabic uses 'hādhihi' for non-human plurals.
this
English 'this' is used for both 'hādhā' and 'hādhihi'.
Spotted in the Real World
“هذه ليلتي وحلم حياتي”
A famous song about a long-awaited night of love.
“هذه ناقة الله لكم آية”
Referring to the miraculous she-camel.
“هذه الأيام الجميلة...”
A caption for a series of vacation photos.
Easily Confused
Learners often use the masculine form for everything because it's usually the first word they learn.
Check the end of the noun. If you see a ة (Tā’ Marbūṭa), you must use هذه.
Learners use 'these' (hā'ulā'i) for objects because that's how English works.
If it doesn't have a heartbeat and it's plural, use هذه.
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
This is a historical spelling quirk. A few very common words in Arabic (like Allah, Haadha, and Haadhihi) omit the alif letter but keep the long vowel sound.
grammar mechanicsNo. For any group of humans (men or mixed), you must use 'hā'ulā'i'.
common mistakesIn formal Arabic, you still use 'hā'ulā'i' for human females. 'Hādhihi' is strictly for singular females or non-human plurals.
grammar mechanicsYes, but it often changes to 'hadi' (Levant), 'di' (Egypt), or 'hāy' (Iraq). However, everyone will understand 'hādhihi'.
usage contextsNo, it is 'mabnī' (fixed). It looks the same whether it's the subject or the object.
grammar mechanics'Hādhihi bint' = This is a girl. 'Hādhihi al-bint' = This girl. The 'al-' makes the difference.
practical tipsThat is a common regional variation, especially in the Gulf and in classical poetry. Both are correct, but 'hādhihi' is more formal.
comparisonsIt is feminine! So you say 'hādhihi shams'. Arabic gender doesn't always match English.
basic understandingYes, you can say 'li-hādhihi al-asbāb' (for these reasons).
usage contextsThe dual form is 'hātān' (these two), but you only need this for very formal writing.
grammar mechanics
