In Lesson 2.1, you learned that ة (Ta' Marbuta) is the sign of a feminine noun. But look at these common words — they have no ة, yet they are grammatically feminine!
Some Arabic nouns are feminine purely by convention — it comes from the Arabic language tradition (سَمَاعِي = "by listening/tradition"). You simply need to recognise the main groups.
Words that naturally refer to female humans are feminine even without ة.
| أُمٌّ | Mother |
| أُخْتٌ | Sister |
| بِنْتٌ | Girl/Daughter |
| عَرُوسٌ | Bride |
Parts of the body that come in pairs are feminine by default.
| يَدٌ | Hand |
| عَيْنٌ | Eye |
| رِجْلٌ | Leg/Foot |
| أُذُنٌ | Ear |
Certain natural elements are traditionally feminine in Arabic.
| شَمْسٌ | Sun |
| أَرْضٌ | Earth/Ground |
| نَارٌ | Fire |
| رِيحٌ | Wind |
Even though these nouns don't have ة, their adjectives and demonstratives MUST still be feminine!