Gender, Definiteness, and Arabic Letters

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on Arabic gender, definiteness, and the difference between sun and moon letters.

What is the feminine marker in Arabic nouns and adjectives?

The feminine marker is 'ta marbuuTa' (ة).

How is 'ta marbuuTa' pronounced in possessive constructions?

'ta marbuuTa' is pronounced as (ت).

When can ta marbuuTa appear in a word?

At the end of nouns and adjectives

Is ta marbuuTa usually pronounced?

No, we usually pronounce the Fatha before it.

What is the definite article in Arabic?

'alef laam' (ال) is the definite article in Arabic.

What type of nouns are always definite in Arabic?

Proper nouns are always definite whether or not they begin with 'ال'.

What happens to the ل sound when it precedes a sun letter?

The ل sound assimilates into the sun letter when it follows ال.

What are the sun letters?

• Ta

• Tha

• Dal

• Dhal

• Ra

• Zayn

• Sin

• Shin

• Sad

• Dhad

• Tal

• Dha

• Laam

• Nun

What are the moon letters?

• Alef

• Beh

• Jim

• Haa

• Kha

• Waw

• Yaa

• Ayn

• Ghayn

• Fa

• Qaf

• Kaf

• Mim

• Ha

What is the difference between sun and moon letters in Arabic?

Sun letters assimilate the sound of ال, while moon letters do not.

How do you say 'peace be upon you' in Arabic?

It's said as 'السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ' (As-salamu alaykum).

What is the effect of using 'ال' before a noun?

Using 'ال' before a noun makes the noun definite.

Which letters in Arabic are called 'قمرية'?

Letters that are moon letters are referred to as 'قمرية'.

Is Alif a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Beh a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Ta a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Tha a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Jim a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Haa a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Kha a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Waw a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Dal a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Dhal a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Ra a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Zayn a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Yaa a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Sin a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Shin a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Sad a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Dhad a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Tal a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Dha a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Ayn a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Ghayn a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Fa a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Qaf a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Kaf a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Laam a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Mim a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.

Is Nun a sun or a moon letter?

A sun letter.

Is Ha a sun or a moon letter?

A moon letter.