Sound Feminine Plural Case

Arabic plurals usually fall into two camps: the 'broken' ones and the 'sound' ones. Broken plurals are like the English 'child' becoming 'children.' They change internally and require a lot of memorization. But sound plurals are like 'cat' becoming 'cats.' The root of the word remains safe and sound. The Sound Feminine Plural specifically uses the suffix at (written as ات). This suffix tells the listener that you are talking about a group of three or more. It is specifically for feminine nouns. However, Arabic likes to keep us on our toes. Sometimes, even non-human masculine words use this ending. Don't worry, though. We will focus on the main patterns first. It is like a grammar traffic light. When you see a feminine noun, the green light says: 'Add at!'

1. 1Creating this plural is a simple three-step process. Let's use the word sayyara (car) as our example.
2. 2Identify your singular feminine noun. Most of these end in a ta marbuta (ة).
3. 3Remove the ta marbuta. Think of it as the singular ending going on a short vacation.
4. 4Add the suffix alif and ta (ات) to the end of the word.
5. 5So, sayyara (car) becomes sayyarat (cars). It is that easy! Let's try another. Take mu'allima (female teacher). Drop the ة, add ات, and you get mu'allimat. Yes, even native speakers find this satisfyingly simple. If the word doesn't have a ta marbuta but is still feminine (like some names), you just add the ات directly.

You will use this pattern in several key scenarios. First, use it for groups of female humans. If you are at a university and see a group of female students, they are talibat. Second, use it for many non-human nouns that end in ta marbuta. This includes things like shashat (screens) or tallajat (refrigerators). Third, it is used for the plural of many technical or modern terms. If you are in a job interview and talking about your maharat (skills), you are using this plural! It also applies to the names of many countries and some masculine non-human nouns. It is a very versatile tool in your Arabic toolkit.

Not every feminine word uses this 'sound' pattern. This is where learners sometimes get tripped up. Some feminine words have 'broken' plurals. For example, imra'a (woman) becomes nisa' (women). That is a totally different word! Also, do not use this for masculine human beings. A group of male teachers would be mu'allimun, not mu'allimat. If you mix these up, you might accidentally turn a room full of businessmen into businesswomen. While that might be a funny moment at a conference, it is better to get it right! Lastly, avoid using it for feminine words that have specific irregular plurals you have already memorized.

The most common mistake is forgetting to remove the ta marbuta. If you say sayyarah-at, it sounds very clunky. It is like saying 'car-s-es' in English. Always drop the ة before adding the ات. Another mistake is applying this to all feminine nouns. Remember, some are 'broken.' If you are unsure, check a dictionary. But when in doubt at the A1 level, the ات ending is a very safe bet. Also, watch your pronunciation. The at should be a long 'aa' sound followed by a clear 't.' Don't cut it too short, or it might sound like a different grammar case entirely.

How does this compare to the Sound Masculine Plural? The masculine version uses un (ون) or in (ين). It is strictly for human males or mixed groups. The Sound Feminine Plural is much more flexible. It covers female humans AND a huge variety of objects. Think of the masculine plural as a VIP club for men. Think of the feminine plural as a big garden party where everyone is welcome. There is also the 'Broken Plural' which we mentioned. Those are like puzzles. The Sound Feminine Plural is like a pre-built Lego set. You just snap the pieces together and you are done.