A1 general 3 min de lecture

Relative Clauses as

If the word has `ال`, use `الذي/التي`. If no `ال`, use no connector at all.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Definite noun (`ال`) needs a connector word.
  • Indefinite noun (no `ال`) needs NO connector.
  • Use `الذي` for masculine singular nouns.
  • Use `التي` for feminine singular nouns.

Quick Reference

Gender/Number Connector (Relative Pronoun) Used With (Definite Noun) Example
Masculine Singular `الذي` (alladhi) The boy, The book `الولد الذي يأكل`
Feminine Singular `التي` (allati) The girl, The car `البنت التي تدرس`
Plural (Non-Human) `التي` (allati) The books, The cars `الكتب التي قرأتها`
Plural (Human Masc) `الذين` (alladhina) The men, The students `الطلاب الذين يدرسون`
Indefinite (Any) NONE (Zero) A boy, A car `ولد يأكل`

Exemples clés

3 sur 10
1

Hada huwa al-kitab alladhi uhibbuh.

This is the book that I love.

2

A'rif al-bint allati taskun huna.

I know the girl who lives here.

3

Ureed sayara tamshi bi-sur'a.

I want a car that goes fast.

💡

The Invisible Glue

If you are describing 'A something' (indefinite), imagine the word 'that' is invisible. 'A car (that) goes fast' -> `سيارة تمشي`.

⚠️

The Non-Human Rule

Don't respect objects too much! A group of cars, pens, or ideas is just a 'She' (`التي`). Only humans get the plural form `الذين`.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Definite noun (`ال`) needs a connector word.
  • Indefinite noun (no `ال`) needs NO connector.
  • Use `الذي` for masculine singular nouns.
  • Use `التي` for feminine singular nouns.

Overview

Relative clauses are the "glue" that holds your sentences together. They let you describe a person or object in more detail without starting a whole new sentence. In English, we use words like "who," "which," or "that" to do this. For example, "The man who is drinking coffee." In Arabic, this glue is sometimes visible and sometimes invisible! Mastering this early on makes your speech flow much better.

How This Grammar Works

The most important switch to flip in your brain is looking at the word you are describing (the antecedent). Is it definite (specific, usually has ال) or indefinite (general, no ال)? This one detail changes everything. If the word is definite, you need a specific connector word. If it's indefinite, you use nothing at all—the description just flows right after the noun. It's cool, but it feels weird for English speakers at first.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Here is the step-by-step recipe for building these sentences:
  2. 2Start with the Noun: This is the thing you want to talk about (e.g., الرجل - the man).
  3. 3Check the Definiteness: Does it have ال (Al)?
  4. 4If Definite: Add the connector الذي (for masculine) or التي (for feminine).
  5. 5If Indefinite: Do NOT add anything. Skip straight to step 5.
  6. 6Add the Description: This is the verb or sentence that describes the noun.

When To Use It

Use this whenever you want to clarify *which* specific thing you are talking about. Instead of saying "I saw a car. The car was fast," you say "I saw the car that was fast." It's perfect for:

  • Pointing out specific people (الرجل الذي - The man who...)
  • Describing items on a menu (الطبق الذي - The dish which...)
  • Talking about friends or family.

When Not To Use It

Don't use the connector word (الذي/التي) if the noun you are describing is indefinite (a man, a car). In English, we still say "A man who is tall." In Arabic, you literally say "A man tall." If you add الذي here, it sounds like you are stuttering or starting a new thought incorrectly.

Common Mistakes

  • The "English Brain" Error: Adding الذي after an indefinite noun because you want to translate "who." (e.g., saying رجل الذي - WRONG!).
  • Gender Mix-ups: Using الذي (masculine) for a girl or التي (feminine) for a boy. It happens to everyone, even native speakers get tongue-tied sometimes!
  • The Plural Trap: Forgetting that groups of non-human things (like "cars" or "books") are treated as singular feminine. So, "The books that..." uses التي.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • Adjectives: Simple adjectives just sit next to the noun (السيارة الكبيرة). Relative clauses usually involve a verb or a full sentence describing the noun (السيارة التي تذهب بسرعة).
  • Idaafa (Possession): Don't confuse this with possession. Describing something isn't the same as owning it.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I just guess the gender?

You have a 50/50 shot, but look for the ة (taa marbuta) at the end of the noun. If it's there, pick التي.

Q: What if I'm talking about a group of people?

For A1, just know الذين (alladhina) is for a group of men (or mixed group).

Q: Does the verb change too?

Yes! The verb inside the clause must match the gender of the noun too. Arabic loves agreement!

Reference Table

Gender/Number Connector (Relative Pronoun) Used With (Definite Noun) Example
Masculine Singular `الذي` (alladhi) The boy, The book `الولد الذي يأكل`
Feminine Singular `التي` (allati) The girl, The car `البنت التي تدرس`
Plural (Non-Human) `التي` (allati) The books, The cars `الكتب التي قرأتها`
Plural (Human Masc) `الذين` (alladhina) The men, The students `الطلاب الذين يدرسون`
Indefinite (Any) NONE (Zero) A boy, A car `ولد يأكل`
💡

The Invisible Glue

If you are describing 'A something' (indefinite), imagine the word 'that' is invisible. 'A car (that) goes fast' -> `سيارة تمشي`.

⚠️

The Non-Human Rule

Don't respect objects too much! A group of cars, pens, or ideas is just a 'She' (`التي`). Only humans get the plural form `الذين`.

🎯

Look for the Taa Marbuta

See a `ة` at the end of the noun? That's a 99% guarantee you need `التي`. It's the best cheat code for beginners.

💬

Echo Pronouns

Arabs often repeat the pronoun. Instead of 'The car I bought,' they say 'The car which I bought IT.' It sounds poetic, doesn't it?

Exemples

10
#1 هذا هو الكتاب الذي أحبه

Hada huwa al-kitab alladhi uhibbuh.

Focus: الذي

This is the book that I love.

Definite noun `الكتاب`, so we use `الذي`.

#2 أعرف البنت التي تسكن هنا

A'rif al-bint allati taskun huna.

Focus: التي

I know the girl who lives here.

Feminine noun `البنت`, so we use `التي`.

#3 أريد سيارة تمشي بسرعة

Ureed sayara tamshi bi-sur'a.

Focus: سيارة

I want a car that goes fast.

Indefinite `سيارة` (a car), so NO connector word used.

#4 هذا طالب يدرس كثيراً

Hada talib yadrus katheeran.

Focus: طالب

This is a student who studies a lot.

Indefinite `طالب` (a student) = Invisible glue!

#5 الرجل الذي رأيته طويل ✗

Al-rajul alladhi ra'aytuhu taweel.

Focus: الذي

The man who I saw him is tall.

Correct usage. Remember the 'return pronoun' (him) is often needed in Arabic.

#6 هذه هي الكتب التي قرأتها

Hadhihi hiya al-kutub allati qara'tuha.

Focus: التي

These are the books that I read.

Non-human plural `الكتب` takes feminine singular `التي`.

#7 أحب القهوة الذي ساخن ✗

Uhibb al-qahwa alladhi sakhin. (WRONG)

Focus: التي ✓

I like the coffee that is hot.

Mistake! `القهوة` is feminine. Should be `التي`.

#8 رأيت بنت التي تلعب ✗

Ra'aytu bint allati tal'ab. (WRONG)

Focus: بنت تلعب ✓

I saw a girl that is playing.

Mistake! Indefinite `بنت` cannot take `التي`. Remove `التي`.

#9 المدير الذي في المكتب مشغول

Al-mudeer alladhi fee al-maktab mashghool.

Focus: المدير الذي

The manager who is in the office is busy.

Formal/Workplace scenario.

#10 الطلاب الذين نجحوا سعداء

Al-tullab alladhina najahu su'ada'.

Focus: الذين

The students who succeeded are happy.

Plural human masculine uses `الذين`.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct connector (or none) for the sentence.

أين الولد ___ يلعب الكرة؟ (Where is the boy ___ is playing ball?)

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : الذي

The noun `الولد` (the boy) is masculine and definite (has `ال`), so we use `الذي`.

Choose the correct connector.

عندي سيارة ___ لونها أحمر. (I have a car ___ its color is red.)

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : (nothing)

The noun `سيارة` (a car) is indefinite (no `ال`). Therefore, we use NO connector word.

Select the correct option for plural non-human objects.

أحب القصص ___ تحكي عن التاريخ. (I love the stories ___ tell about history.)

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : التي

In Arabic, non-human plurals (`القصص` - stories) are treated as feminine singular. Use `التي`.

🎉 Score : /3

Aides visuelles

Do I need a connector?

1

Does the noun have 'ال' (The)?

YES ↓
NO
STOP! No Connector Word.
2

Is the noun Masculine?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'التي' (Allati)
3

Use 'الذي' (Alladhi)

Definite vs. Indefinite Clauses

Definite (With 'AL')
الرجل الذي... The man who...
Indefinite (No 'AL')
رجل ... A man (who)...

Matching Nouns

👨

Uses الذي

  • • الولد (The boy)
  • • الكتاب (The book)
👩

Uses التي

  • • البنت (The girl)
  • • السيارات (The cars)

Questions fréquentes

20 questions

It's just a fancy name for a part of a sentence that describes a noun using a verb. In English, it usually starts with 'who', 'which', or 'that'.

There isn't just one! It changes based on gender. Use الذي for masculine and التي for feminine.

Because the noun is indefinite (doesn't have ال). Arabic grammar rules say indefinite nouns connect directly to their descriptions without a bridge.

Nope! Using الذي for a girl (البنت) sounds like calling her a 'he'. Stick to gender agreement.

Guess! But check the ending. If it ends in ة or اء, it's probably feminine (التي). If not, try الذي.

Yes. One man is الذي. A group of men is الذين. Plurals change in Arabic.

That's the 'Dual' form (اللذان/اللتان), but don't worry about it for A1 yet. Just master singular and plural first!

Yes, emphasize it! It has a Shadda (stress) on the Lam. Pronounce it Al-ladhi.

Not really. من (Man) is for asking 'Who?'. الذي is for describing 'The one who...'.

Rarely in A1. Usually, it comes *after* a noun to describe it.

It's the fancy grammar term for 'the word you are describing'. In 'The man who left', 'The man' is the antecedent.

Yes! If you say التي (she), the verb must be feminine (e.g., تأكل not يأكل).

Animals are treated like objects. One cat = التي. Two dogs = اللذان (but stick to singular/plural for now!).

You can say المكان الذي... (The place which...) or use حيث (where). الذي works fine for A1.

This is MSA (Fusha). In dialects (slang), they often just use اللي (Illi) for everything! But learn the rules first.

Arabic doesn't use 'is' (to be) in the present tense. 'The man who is tall' becomes 'The man who tall'.

Not usually, but knowing that الذي ends in a ي sound helps your pronunciation.

It's a pronoun inside the clause that points back to the noun. 'The book I read IT.' It's common in Arabic structure.

Yes! Plural non-humans are feminine singular grammatically. Weird rule, but easy to remember.

Only the indefinite part (the invisible rule). Once you get that, it's just matching genders!

C'tait utile ?

Grammaire lie

A1

Expressing Purpose with Kay and Lik

Overview Ever wonder how to explain why you are doing something? You might want to say you study to learn. Or maybe you...

A1

8 words? No, 8

Overview Counting in Arabic is... well, it’s famous for being a bit dramatic. While one and two are straightforward (the...

A1

Maf'uul MuTla

Overview Ever felt like just saying "I ran" isn't enough? You want to say you *really* ran, or you ran like the wind? In...

A1

Qad with Imperfect Ver

Overview Meet `qad`. It’s a tiny two-letter word that packs a punch in Arabic logic. When you pair `qad` with a present...

A1

The Particle Inna

Overview Meet `Inna`. You know when you're texting and you use ALL CAPS to make a point? Or when you say "Indeed" or "Ve...

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !

Commencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement

Commence Gratuitement