In 15 Seconds
- A basic A1 phrase to identify a vehicle.
- Uses the feminine 'this' to match the noun.
- No 'is' required in the Arabic sentence structure.
Meaning
This is a simple way to point out a car. It's a foundational sentence used to identify a vehicle in your surroundings.
Key Examples
3 of 6Pointing to a vehicle on the street
هذه سيارة.
This is a car.
Showing a friend your new purchase
هذه سيارتي الجديدة!
This is my new car!
A formal police report or document
هذه سيارة مفقودة.
This is a missing car.
Cultural Background
In countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, cars are a major part of social identity. High-end SUVs are common due to the desert terrain and heat. Egyptians often use the word 'Arabiyya' instead of 'Sayyara'. Car horns are used as a complex language of their own in Cairo traffic. In Beirut, classic cars and luxury vehicles are often seen as a sign of resilience and style. The word 'Hadi' is the preferred informal demonstrative. Due to historical French influence, the word 'Tomobil' is very common in daily speech, though 'Sayyara' is used in formal education.
The Taa Marbuta Rule
Almost any Arabic word ending in 'ة' is feminine. This is your best friend for choosing between 'hadha' and 'hadhihi'.
Don't say 'is'
English speakers often try to insert a word for 'is'. In Arabic, the silence between the two words does the work for you.
In 15 Seconds
- A basic A1 phrase to identify a vehicle.
- Uses the feminine 'this' to match the noun.
- No 'is' required in the Arabic sentence structure.
What It Means
هذه سيارة is your basic 'Noun 101' sentence. It literally translates to 'This is a car.' In Arabic, we don't use a word for 'is' in simple sentences like this. You just put 'this' and 'car' together. It's the perfect starting point for describing the world around you.
How To Use It
You use هذه (hadhihi) because the word سيارة (sayyarah) is feminine. You can tell it's feminine by that cute little circle with two dots at the end (ة). Just point and say it. It’s like magic for your vocabulary. You can add adjectives after it to be more specific. For example, هذه سيارة جميلة means 'This is a beautiful car.'
When To Use It
Use this when you're walking through a parking lot with a friend. Use it when you're showing off your brand-new ride. It’s great for pointing out a taxi on a busy street. If you're teaching a child new words, this is a go-to phrase. It works perfectly in any situation where a car is the center of attention.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if the vehicle isn't a car. If it's a truck, you'll need a different word. Don't use هذا (hadha) because that's for masculine words. Using the wrong gender is a common slip-up, but people will still understand you. Also, don't use it if you're trying to say 'This car is...'—that requires a slightly different structure.
Cultural Background
In many Arabic-speaking countries, cars are more than just transport. They are often seen as symbols of status and independence. The word سيارة actually comes from a root meaning 'to travel' or 'caravan.' Historically, a 'sayyara' was a group of people traveling together. Today, it's just your four-wheeled friend that gets you to the mall.
Common Variations
In daily life, you might hear regional twists. In the Levant, people often say هادي سيارة (hadi sayyara). In Egypt, you might hear دي عربية (di arabiyya). Even though the words change, the simple 'This is a car' structure remains the heart of the conversation.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, standard phrase. It is grammatically correct in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and perfectly understood in all dialects, though local variations for 'this' exist.
The Taa Marbuta Rule
Almost any Arabic word ending in 'ة' is feminine. This is your best friend for choosing between 'hadha' and 'hadhihi'.
Don't say 'is'
English speakers often try to insert a word for 'is'. In Arabic, the silence between the two words does the work for you.
Dialect Shortcut
If you find 'hadhihi' hard to pronounce, most locals say 'hadi' or 'di' in daily life.
Examples
6هذه سيارة.
This is a car.
The most basic use of the phrase.
هذه سيارتي الجديدة!
This is my new car!
Adding a suffix and adjective for excitement.
هذه سيارة مفقودة.
This is a missing car.
Used in a professional, descriptive context.
شوف! هذه سيارة سريعة جداً.
Look! This is a very fast car.
Informal sharing of an observation.
هل هذه سيارة أم خردة؟
Is this a car or scrap metal?
A humorous way to question the car's quality.
هذه سيارة أحلامي.
This is the car of my dreams.
Used when seeing a car you've always wanted.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun for 'سيارة'.
____ سيارة.
'Sayyara' is feminine, so it requires the feminine demonstrative 'hadhihi'.
Complete the sentence to say 'This is a new car'.
هذه سيارة ____.
The adjective must match the feminine gender of 'sayyara'.
What would you say if someone points at a car and asks 'What is this?'
س: ما هذه؟ ج: ________.
The question uses 'hadhihi', so the answer should identify the feminine object.
Match the Arabic phrase with its English translation.
1. هذه سيارة 2. هذه سيارتي 3. تلك سيارة
Matching demonstratives and possessive suffixes.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Demonstratives by Gender
Practice Bank
4 exercises____ سيارة.
'Sayyara' is feminine, so it requires the feminine demonstrative 'hadhihi'.
هذه سيارة ____.
The adjective must match the feminine gender of 'sayyara'.
س: ما هذه؟ ج: ________.
The question uses 'hadhihi', so the answer should identify the feminine object.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching demonstratives and possessive suffixes.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBecause 'sayyara' is feminine. In Arabic, demonstrative pronouns must match the gender of the noun they point to.
You would say 'Hadhihi hiya al-sayyara'. Adding 'hiya' acts as a separator to allow the definite article.
Mostly yes, but in Egypt 'arabiyya' is more common, and in North Africa 'tomobil' is often used.
Yes, but you might add 'lo'ba' (toy): 'Hadhihi sayyara lo'ba'.
For multiple cars, you say 'Hadhihi sayyarat'. Interestingly, 'hadhihi' is used for non-human plurals.
Yes, S-Y-R (س-ي-ر), which relates to movement and walking.
Only if you stop. If you continue the sentence, it might sound like a 't' (e.g., sayyaratun).
Use 'Tilka sayyara' (تلك سيارة) for feminine objects that are far away.
Only if you are pointing at a car! It's a very literal, basic phrase.
'Arabiyya' originally meant a carriage or cart. It became the standard word for car in Egypt and parts of Sudan.
Related Phrases
هذه حافلة
similarThis is a bus.
هذا قطار
contrastThis is a train.
سائق السيارة
builds onThe car driver.
موقف السيارات
specialized formCar park / Parking lot.
