Language/Moroccan-arabic/Grammar/Relative-Pronouns

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Moroccan Arabic → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Relative Clauses → Relative Pronouns

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the topic of relative clauses in Moroccan Arabic. Relative clauses are an essential aspect of the language, as they allow us to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. Understanding how to form and use relative clauses will greatly enhance your ability to express yourself in Moroccan Arabic. Throughout this lesson, we will cover the various types of relative clauses and the specific relative pronouns used in each case. By the end of the lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to use relative clauses effectively in your conversations and writing.

Relative Clauses in Moroccan Arabic

A relative clause is a dependent clause that provides extra information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause of a sentence. In Moroccan Arabic, relative clauses are formed by combining a relative pronoun with a verb or a verb phrase. The relative pronoun serves as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause and connects it to the main clause.

Relative clauses in Moroccan Arabic can be categorized into two types: direct object clauses and indirect object clauses. In direct object clauses, the relative pronoun functions as the direct object of the verb in the relative clause. In indirect object clauses, the relative pronoun serves as the indirect object of the verb in the relative clause.

Let's explore each type of relative clause in detail and learn how to use them in context.

Direct Object Clauses

In Moroccan Arabic, direct object clauses are used to provide additional information about the direct object of the main clause. The relative pronouns used in direct object clauses are "اللي" (pronounced "elli") and "اللي كان" (pronounced "elli kan"). The choice between these two pronouns depends on the tense of the verb in the relative clause.

Here are some examples of direct object clauses in Moroccan Arabic:

Moroccan Arabic	Pronunciation	English Translation
هاد الكتاب اللي كنت كنقرى	had l-ktāb elli kant kānqra	This is the book that I was reading.
الطفلة اللي شفتها في الحديقة	aṭ-ṭifla elli shftha f l-ḥdīqa	The girl that I saw in the garden.
البيت اللي بغيتي تشري	l-byt elli bghīti tšrī	The house that you want to buy.
المطعم اللي كنت كندير فيه التصوير	l-mṭɛm elli kant kndīr fīh ttṣwīr	The restaurant where I was taking pictures.

Indirect Object Clauses

Indirect object clauses in Moroccan Arabic provide additional information about the indirect object of the main clause. The relative pronoun used in indirect object clauses is "اللي" (pronounced "elli"). This pronoun is used regardless of the tense of the verb in the relative clause.

Here are some examples of indirect object clauses in Moroccan Arabic:

Moroccan Arabic	Pronunciation	English Translation
الولد اللي جبت ليه الهدية	l-wld elli jbti lhī l-hdiya	The boy to whom I brought the gift.
الشيف اللي درت ليه التمرية	aš-šīf elli drt lhī ttamrya	The chef for whom I made the dessert.
الفيلم اللي شفته ليه	l-film elli shftu lhī	The movie that I watched for him.
المدرسة اللي كنت كندير فوسطها	l-mdrsa elli kant kndīr f wsṭhā	The school in which I was teaching.

Cultural Insights

Relative clauses play an important role in Moroccan Arabic, just as they do in many other languages. However, it is worth noting that the usage of relative clauses may vary slightly depending on the region within Morocco. For example, in some regions, the relative pronoun "اللي" (elli) is commonly used, while in other regions, the pronoun "اللي كان" (elli kan) is preferred. These regional variations are influenced by historical and cultural factors.

Morocco's linguistic diversity also contributes to variations in the usage of relative clauses. Different dialects of Moroccan Arabic have their own distinct features, including differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. While the basic structure and function of relative clauses remain the same across dialects, there may be slight variations in the choice of relative pronouns or the word order within the clause.

It is fascinating to explore these regional and dialectal variations in Moroccan Arabic, as they reflect the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the country. As you continue your journey in learning Moroccan Arabic, keep in mind that language is deeply intertwined with culture, and understanding these nuances will greatly enhance your language skills.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to put your knowledge of relative clauses into practice. Below are some exercises to help you solidify your understanding of the topic. Try to answer each question to the best of your ability, and then check the provided solutions and explanations.

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences with the appropriate relative pronoun.

1. هذا هو الرجل ... رأيته أمس في السوق. 2. الفتاة ... ساعدتها في الواجب. 3. هذه هي الكتابة ... فازت في المسابقة. 4. هذا هو البيت ... بنيته الأسرة. 5. الرجل ... أعطيته الهدية كان سعيدًا.

Solution: 1. اللي (elli) 2. اللي (elli) 3. اللي (elli) 4. اللي (elli) 5. اللي (elli)

Explanation: In this exercise, we need to use the relative pronoun "اللي" (elli) to connect the main clause with the relative clause. The relative pronoun functions as the direct object of the verb in each sentence.

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Moroccan Arabic.

1. The book that I bought yesterday is very interesting. 2. This is the woman whose son is studying abroad. 3. The car that I saw in the parking lot is red. 4. The restaurant where we had dinner last night was excellent. 5. The house that they built is beautiful.

Solution: 1. هاد الكتاب لي اشريتو أمس كيكون مهضوم. 2. هادي هي الستة لي ولدها كيدرس ف الخارج. 3. السيارة لي شفتها ف الباركينج كيكونة حمرة. 4. المطعم لي كنا كناكلو ف المساء كان ممتاز. 5. الدار لي بناوها كيكونة جميلة.

Explanation: In these sentences, we use the relative pronoun "لي" (li) to introduce the relative clauses. The verb forms in the relative clauses may vary depending on the tense and subject of the verb in the main clause.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on relative pronouns in Moroccan Arabic. In this lesson, we explored the different types of relative clauses and the specific relative pronouns used in each case. We also discussed the cultural and regional variations in the usage of relative clauses in Moroccan Arabic. By mastering the use of relative pronouns, you have taken another step towards becoming fluent in Moroccan Arabic. Keep practicing and incorporating relative clauses into your conversations to further enhance your language skills. Good luck!

Table of Contents - Moroccan Arabic Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction

• Alphabet and Writing
• Pronunciation

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Greetings and Basic Phrases

• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Asking for Directions
• Numbers and Counting

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Gender and Plurals
• Demonstratives
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Food and Drink

• Ordering Food in a Restaurant
• Describing Food
• Beverages and Ordering Drinks

  ---

Verbs

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

House and Home

• Rooms and Furniture
• Household Chores
• Renting an Apartment

  ---

Adjectives

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

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Traditions and Customs

• Weddings and Celebrations
• Greetings and Etiquette

  ---

Prepositions

• Directional Prepositions
• Temporal Prepositions

  ---

Transportation

• Taking a Taxi
• Public Transportation

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Imperative Mood

• Affirmative Imperative
• Negative Imperative

  ---

Shopping and Bargaining

• Shopping for Clothes
• At the Market
• Bargaining and Haggling

  ---

Historical Sites and Landmarks

• The Medina
• Kasbahs

  ---

Relative Clauses

• Direct and Indirect Object Clauses
• Relative Pronouns

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Health and Emergencies

• At the Hospital
• Emergencies and First Aid

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Passive Voice

• Formation of Passive Constructions
• Uses of the Passive

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Leisure and Entertainment

• Music and Dance
• Sports and Activities

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Holidays and Festivals

• Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha
• Ramadan

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Conditional Mood

• Formation of the Conditional
• Uses of the Conditional

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Regional Dialects

• Darija and Other Dialects
• Language Use and Social Context

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Indirect Speech

• Reported Speech
• Indirect Questions

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Weather and Climate

• Describing the Weather
• Seasons and Climate

Other Lessons

• The Inclusive Case in Moroccan Arabic
• Indirect Questions
• Directional Prepositions
• Pronunciation
• Gender and Plurals
• How to use “can” in Moroccan Arabic
• Formation of the Conditional
• Conditional Mood
• Indefinite Articles in Moroccan Arabic
• How to use “to be” with names and places

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