In this lesson, we will talk about the definite article in Moroccan Arabic.
The definite article in Darija is “L” it’s the same article used in Modern Standard Arabic “AL” but without “A”, and we use it for masculine and feminine, in both singular and plural.
The Definite Article In Moroccan Arabic
We have two categories of definite words in Moroccan Arabic: Moon letters (also called Lunar letters) and Sun letters (also called Solar letters)
Lhorof sh-shamsiya الحروف الشمسية (solar letters)
Lhorof lqamariya الحروف القمرية (lunar letters)
- Moon: qamar قمر / The moon lqamar
- Sun: shms شمس / The sun sh-shms
Did you notice how lqamar has a definite article and sh-shms doesn’t? that’s the rule that lunar and solar letters will follow.
Definite Words Starting With Solar Letters
The solar letters in Darija are: D, J, L, N, R, S, Sh, T, Z (unlike in MSA, J is solar in Moroccan Arabic)
As in sh-shms, words that start with a solar letter don’t need the definite article “L”, we just double the letter, for example:
Sa3a (watch), the watch: ssa3a
Sebbat (shoes), the shoes: ssebbat
Telefon (phone), the phone: ttelefon
Rjel (foot), the foot: rrjel
Note: you can practice what you’ve learned here, and learn how to pronounce each of the words in our Memrise course here, don’t know how to use the platform or sign up? we’ve got you covered in this easy-to-follow tutorial here.
Definite Words Starting With Lunar Letters
The Lunar letters are the rest of the alphabet.
Like lqamar, words starting with a lunar letter will require us to add “L” in their definite form, for example:
Bab (door), the door: Lbab
Qamija (shirt), the shirt: Lqamija
Yed (hand), the hand: Lyed
Ktab (book), the book: Lktab
The Indefinite Form In Moroccan Arabic
To give the indefinite form in Darija, we use the following formula: indefinite form= wahed (one) + definite form.
For example:
A watch: wahed ssa3a
A phone: wahed ttelefon
A door: wahed lbab
A hand: wahed lyed
A book: wahed lktab
Note: wahed is used for both masculine and feminine
Practice giving the definite and indefinite forms with the list of the nouns given in this post.
Moroccan Arabic Definite Article Study Guide
Quiz
- What is the definite article in Darija, and how is it used?
- What are the two categories of definite words in Moroccan Arabic, and how do they differ?
- List five Solar Letters in Darija.
- How do you form the definite article for words beginning with Solar Letters in Darija?
- Provide an example of a word beginning with a Solar Letter in its indefinite and definite form.
- List five Lunar Letters in Darija.
- How do you form the definite article for words beginning with Lunar Letters in Darija?
- Provide an example of a word beginning with a Lunar Letter in its indefinite and definite form.
- What is the formula for forming the indefinite form in Darija?
- How is the word “wahed” (one) used in forming indefinite nouns in Darija?
Answer Key
- The definite article in Darija is “L.” It is used for both masculine and feminine nouns, in both singular and plural forms.
- The two categories of definite words in Moroccan Arabic are words starting with Lunar Letters and words starting with Solar Letters. They differ in how the definite article is formed.
- Solar Letters in Darija include: D, J, L, N, R. ( Note: Students may choose any five Solar Letters).
- To form the definite article for words beginning with Solar Letters in Darija, you double the first letter of the word.
- Indefinite: Wahed Sebbat (a shoe). Definite: Ssebbat (the shoe). (*Note: Students may choose any appropriate word example). *
- Lunar letters in Darija include: A, B, G, H, Kh. (Note: Students may choose any five Lunar Letters).
- To form the definite article for words beginning with Lunar Letters in Darija, you add “L” before the word.
- Indefinite: Wahed Bab (a door). Definite: Lbab (the door). (*Note: Students may choose any appropriate word example). *
- The formula for forming the indefinite form in Darija is: indefinite form = wahed (one) + definite form.
- The word “wahed” (one) is used for both masculine and feminine nouns when forming the indefinite form in Darija.
Happy learning!
Oualid Cheddadi is a language enthusiast who created Lingualid with the mission to inspire independent language learners worldwide, regardless of the language they are learning. The name “Lingualid” is derived from the Portuguese word for “language,” “língua,” and the last three letters of Oualid’s name, “Lid.”
