Pointing to Groups

Now that you know how to build plural nouns (both Sound and Broken verbs), we need the proper tools to point at them! Let's learn to say "These" and "They" for groups of people.

1. The Plural Pointer: "These"

When pointing to a single person, we used Haadha (This-m) or Haadhihi (This-f). But when pointing to a group (3+ humans), we use Haa'ulaa'i (هَؤُلَاءِ). Amazingly, it is used for BOTH men and women!

هَؤُلَاءِ

Haa'ulaa'i

"These (people)"

For Men
هَؤُلَاءِ مُدَرِّسُونَ These are male teachers.

For Women
هَؤُلَاءِ مُدَرِّسَاتٌ These are female teachers.

2. The Personal Pronouns: "They"

When talking about a group of people, we need the Plural forms of "He" (`هُوَ`) and "She" (`هِيَ`).

Male / Mixed Group

هُمْ

Hum

They (Masculine or Mixed group)

هُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ

They(m) are Muslims.

All-Female Group

هُنَّ

Hunna

They (Strictly Feminine group)

هُنَّ مُسْلِمَاتٌ

They(f) are Muslims.

First Person Plural

نَحْنُ

Nahnu

"We"

(Used by BOTH men and women to refer to themselves!)

3. Group Dialogue Lab

Read aloud. Notice how the Pronouns now perfectly coordinate with Plural predicates!

These are new students(m).

Haa'ulaa'i tullaabun jududun.

هَؤُلَاءِ طُلَّابٌ جُدُدٌ

These are female doctors.

Haa'ulaa'i tabeebaatun.

هَؤُلَاءِ طَبِيبَاتٌ

Where are the male teachers? They(m) are in the classroom.

Aynal-mudarrisoona? Hum fil-fasli.

أَيْنَ الْمُدَرِّسُونَ؟ هُمْ فِي الْفَصْلِ

Where are the men? They(m) are in the mosque.

Aynar-rijaalu? Hum fil-masjidi.

أَيْنَ الرِّجَالُ؟ هُمْ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ

Who are they(f)? They(f) are female students.

Man hunna? Hunna taalibaatun.

مَنْ هُنَّ؟ هُنَّ طَالِبَاتٌ

We are muslims(m), and praise be to Allah.

Nahnu muslimoona, walhamdu lillaahi.

نَحْنُ مُسْلِمُونَ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ