Which one?
This section explains how to specify which of several things we are interested in, or talking about.
Definite article
To talk about a particular man, we say 'the man' in English. In arabic, we attach il- ا ِلـ to the front of the noun.
See articles for more information.
Indefinite article
If we don't want to refer to any man in particular, we say 'a man' in English. There is no equivalent of a in arabic, you just use the noun on its own.
If you want to make it clear that you are talking about just one, you can use the word waaHid- one. When used for emphasis like this, you place it after the noun.
You also use it with nationalities to indicate that you are talking about a person, rather than (for example) the language.
Adjectives
In both English an Egyptian, you can use an adjective to specify which one you are interested in: you simply put the - il- ا ِلـ in front of the adjective. Note that, in Egyptian, the noun still retains its il- ا ِلـ prefix.
English | Egyptian | |
describe | I want a red ball | Aaayiz koora hamra عا َيـِز كور َة حـَمر َة |
specify | I want the red ball | Aaayiz ilkoora ilhamra عا َيـِز ا ِلكور َة ا ِلحـَمر َة |
specify | I have read the big book | 'ara't ilkitab ilkibeer قـَرا َءت ا ِلكـِتـَب ا ِلكـِبير |
Demonstrative adjectives
One particular type of adjective is a demonstrative adjective. These are almost the same as the demonstrative pronouns.
The demonstrative adjectives are:
English | Arabic |
this (man) | ilraagil dah ا ِلرا َجـِل د َه |
this (thing, m) | ilkitaab dah ا ِلكـِتا َب د َه |
this (thing, f) | ilhaga dah ا ِلهـَجـَة د َه |
this (woman) | ilsitt di ا ِلسـِتّ دي |
these (men) | ilragaala dool ا ِلر َجا َلا َ دول |
these (men) nearer | ilragaala di ا ِلر َجا َلا َ دي |
these (women) | ilsittaat dool ا ِلسـِتّا َت دول |
these (things,m) | ilkutoob di ا ِلكـُتوب دي |
these (things,f) | ilhagaat di ا ِلهـَجا َت دي |
over there (m) | 'ahw أهو |
over there [f] | 'ahi أهي |
over there (pl) | 'ahoom أهوم |
Comparatives
You can use a comparative in the same was as an adjective to specify which one you mean:
English | Egyptian |
mohammed is the tallest student | muhammad 'aTwal Taalib مـُحـَمّـَد أطو َل طا َلـِب |
he is the youngest boy | huwwa 'aSGar walad هـُوّ َ أصغـَر و َلـَد |
the tallest student is 1m90 | ilTaalib il'aTwal Toolooh mitr 1 wa 90 santi ا ِلطا َلـِب ا ِلأطو َل طولوه مـِتر ١ و َ ٩٠ سـَنتي |
the most expensive drink is 20 pounds | ilmashrab il'aGla 20 gineeh ا ِلمـَشر َب ا ِلأغلى ٢٠ جـِنيه |
this is the prettiest dress in the shop | dih 'ahla fustaan fi ilmahal د ِه أحلى فـُستا َن في ا ِلمـَحـَل |
it was the best day in my life | kaan 'ahsan yoom fi hayaati كا َن أحسـَن يوم في حـَيا َتي |