In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to ask someone's identity in Arabic.
- Use 'hadha' for males and 'hadhihi' for females.
- Commonly used in photos, parties, and new social settings.
Meaning
This is the most direct way to ask the identity of a person nearby or in a picture. It's the Arabic equivalent of asking 'Who is this?' when you want to know someone's name or relationship.
Key Examples
3 of 6Looking at an old family photo
من هذا في الصورة؟
Who is this in the photo?
Seeing a new person at the office
من هذا الموظف الجديد؟
Who is this new employee?
Texting a friend about a mystery person
من هذا؟ لم أعرفه.
Who is this? I didn't recognize him.
Cultural Background
In the Majlis (gathering), asking 'Man hadha?' about a newcomer is a way to initiate a formal introduction that includes the person's full name and family background. People are very social; 'Meen hada?' is often used casually when seeing someone familiar in an unexpected place. The phrase 'Meen da?' is ubiquitous. Egyptians often use it with a friendly tone to show interest in someone's life or family. Using 'Shkoun hada?' is the local way. It reflects the unique blend of Arabic and Berber influences in the dialect.
The 'Who' Rule
Always use 'Man' for anything with a soul (people, pets sometimes in dialect, angels).
Gender Check
Before you speak, check if the person is male. If not, use 'Man hadhihi'.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to ask someone's identity in Arabic.
- Use 'hadha' for males and 'hadhihi' for females.
- Commonly used in photos, parties, and new social settings.
What It Means
من هذا؟ is your primary tool for identifying people. It is simple, direct, and essential for any beginner. In Arabic, the verb 'to be' is often implied in the present tense. So, you are literally saying 'Who this?' but everyone understands it as 'Who is this?'. It is a neutral phrase. You can use it with friends or strangers without sounding rude. It is the linguistic equivalent of a curious glance.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when pointing to someone or referring to a person nearby. Just say Man hadha? while looking at the person or a photo. If you are talking about a man or a boy, this is the correct form. If you want to ask about a woman, you change the second word. It is a two-word sentence that does a lot of heavy lifting. You can also add a noun after it to be more specific. For example, من هذا الرجل؟ means 'Who is this man?'.
When To Use It
Use it at a party when you see a face you don't recognize. Use it while scrolling through a friend's phone looking at photos. It is perfect for the office when a new colleague walks in. You can even use it when someone knocks on your door. It is a great conversation starter. It shows you are interested in the people around you. Just remember to keep your tone curious and friendly.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it if the person can hear you and you are pointing aggressively. That can feel a bit like you are treating them like an object. In very formal diplomatic settings, you might want something softer. Don't use hadha for a woman; it is grammatically incorrect and might cause a laugh. Also, if you already know the person's name but forgot, it is better to ask 'What was your name again?'. Using 'Who is this?' might sound like you completely forgot they exist!
Cultural Background
In Arab culture, knowing who someone is often involves knowing their family. When you ask من هذا؟, the answer might be a name and a family lineage. Hospitality is huge, so people are usually happy to introduce others. There is a deep respect for 'knowing your neighbor.' Asking about someone isn't just curiosity; it is the first step toward a connection. It is common to see people spending a long time explaining exactly how they know the person in question.
Common Variations
In daily life, you will hear many regional versions. In Egypt, they say Meen dah?. In the Levant (Lebanon/Syria), it sounds more like Meen hayda?. In the Gulf, you might hear Man hu?. The word Man (who) often shifts to Meen in almost all spoken dialects. However, Man hadha? is the Modern Standard Arabic version. Everyone from Morocco to Iraq will understand you perfectly if you use it.
Usage Notes
This phrase is safe for A1 learners in almost any situation. Just ensure you match the gender of the person you are asking about. In dialects, 'Man' almost always becomes 'Meen'.
The 'Who' Rule
Always use 'Man' for anything with a soul (people, pets sometimes in dialect, angels).
Gender Check
Before you speak, check if the person is male. If not, use 'Man hadhihi'.
Dialect Shortcut
In most Arab countries, saying 'Meen hada' will make you sound much more like a local than the formal 'Man hadha'.
Examples
6من هذا في الصورة؟
Who is this in the photo?
A very common way to ask about relatives you don't recognize.
من هذا الموظف الجديد؟
Who is this new employee?
Adding a noun like 'employee' makes the question more specific.
من هذا؟ لم أعرفه.
Who is this? I didn't recognize him.
Used when someone sends a photo or a contact without context.
بابا، من هذا؟
Dad, who is this?
Simple and effective for children learning names.
من هذا الرجل الأنيق؟
Who is this elegant gentleman?
Using 'man' for a pet is a common way to be funny in Arabic.
من هذا الرجل الطيب؟
Who is this kind man?
Adding an adjective like 'kind' adds emotional depth.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct question word for a person.
____ هَذَا؟ (Who is this?)
'Man' is used for people, 'Ma' for things, 'Ayna' for places, and 'Kayfa' for manner.
Choose the correct demonstrative for a man.
مَنْ ____؟
'Hadha' is the masculine singular demonstrative for someone nearby.
Complete the dialogue.
أ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ ب: ________.
The question asks 'Who', so the answer must be a person (my brother).
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Gender in Demonstratives
Practice Bank
3 exercises____ هَذَا؟ (Who is this?)
'Man' is used for people, 'Ma' for things, 'Ayna' for places, and 'Kayfa' for manner.
مَنْ ____؟
'Hadha' is the masculine singular demonstrative for someone nearby.
أ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ ب: ________.
The question asks 'Who', so the answer must be a person (my brother).
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if the baby is a boy, use 'Man hadha?'. If a girl, 'Man hadhihi?'.
It can be slightly impolite to point directly with your finger. It's better to gesture with your whole hand or just look in the direction.
Start with 'Hadha...' followed by the name or relationship. Example: 'Hadha Samir' or 'Hadha akhi'.
In MSA, 'Man hadha' is often used as the default masculine/neutral form if the person is far away or obscured.
No, 'Man' is indeclinable (mabni). It always stays 'Man'.
No, for a group you should use 'Man ha'ula'i?'.
The concept is the same, but it usually changes to 'Meen'.
'Hadha' is for someone near you; 'Dhalika' is for someone far away.
Usually, on the phone, you say 'Man ma'i?' (Who is with me?) or 'Man al-mutakallim?' (Who is the speaker?).
In Egyptian dialect, 'Meen?' (Who?) is often enough if you are pointing.
Related Phrases
مَنْ هَذِهِ؟
specialized formWho is this? (female)
مَا هَذَا؟
contrastWhat is this?
مَنْ أَنْتَ؟
similarWho are you?
مَنْ هُنَا؟
similarWho is here?
مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟
builds onWho are these people?
