Level B1

Relative Clauses (الأسماء الموصولة)

Learn how to form relative clauses in Arabic using relative pronouns such as الَّذِي (who/which/that) and their variants for gender, number, and case.

Relative Pronouns (الأسماء الموصولة)

Arabic relative pronouns agree with the noun they refer to (the antecedent) in gender and number: • الَّذِي (alladhī) - masculine singular: the one who/which/that • الَّتِي (allatī) - feminine singular: the one who/which/that • الَّذَانِ (alladhāni) - masculine dual nominative • اللَّتَانِ (allatāni) - feminine dual nominative • الَّذَيْنِ (alladhayni) - masculine dual accusative/genitive • اللَّتَيْنِ (allatayni) - feminine dual accusative/genitive • الَّذِينَ (alladhīna) - masculine plural • اللَّاتِي / اللَّوَاتِي (allātī / allawātī) - feminine plural Important: These relative pronouns are only used when the antecedent is DEFINITE. For indefinite antecedents, no relative pronoun is used.

الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي جَاءَ

ar-rajulu alladhī jā'a

the man who came

الَّذِي for masculine singular definite antecedent.

المَرْأَةُ الَّتِي تَعْمَلُ هُنَا

al-mar'atu allatī ta'malu hunā

the woman who works here

الَّتِي for feminine singular definite antecedent.

الطُّلَّابُ الَّذِينَ نَجَحُوا

at-tullābu alladhīna najahū

the students who passed

الَّذِينَ for masculine plural definite antecedent.

المُعَلِّمَاتُ اللَّاتِي يُدَرِّسْنَ

al-mu'allimātu allātī yudarrisna

the female teachers who teach

اللَّاتِي for feminine plural definite antecedent.

2 more sections and 5 practice questions

"Relative Clauses (الأسماء الموصولة)" is one of 38 grammar lessons in Fahm Premium, each with worked examples and self-checking practice. The first 3 grammar lessons are free to try.

Also in this lesson

The Resumptive Pronoun (الضَّمِير العَائِد)
Relative Clauses with Indefinite Nouns

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Frequently asked questions

What is Relative Clauses in Arabic?

Learn how to form relative clauses in Arabic using relative pronouns such as الَّذِي (who/which/that) and their variants for gender, number, and case.

How do you use Relative Clauses in Arabic?

Arabic relative pronouns agree with the noun they refer to (the antecedent) in gender and number:

What are common examples of Relative Clauses in Arabic?

Examples from this lesson include "ar-rajulu alladhī jā'a" (the man who came), "al-mar'atu allatī ta'malu hunā" (the woman who works here), "at-tullābu alladhīna najahū" (the students who passed) and "al-mu'allimātu allātī yudarrisna" (the female teachers who teach).