Language/Standard-arabic/Grammar/Differences-from-English-relative-clauses

◀️ Formation and usage — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Common Arabic adjectives ▶️

Standard Arabic → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Differences from English relative clauses

In our journey through Standard Arabic, we have explored various aspects of the language, from the beautiful intricacies of its script to the rich cultural contexts that shape it. Today, we dive into a fascinating area of grammar: relative clauses. Understanding relative clauses is crucial, as they allow us to add information about nouns, making our sentences richer and more descriptive.

In this lesson, we will explore how relative clauses function in Arabic and highlight the key differences from English relative clauses. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid grasp of how to form and use relative clauses in Arabic, which will enhance your ability to communicate effectively.

What are Relative Clauses?

Relative clauses are used to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. In English, we often use relative pronouns such as "who," "which," or "that" to introduce these clauses. In Arabic, relative clauses are formed differently, which is essential to understand as you progress in your studies.

Differences between Arabic and English Relative Clauses

To better appreciate the differences between Arabic and English relative clauses, let’s explore some key points:

1. Use of Relative Pronouns

In English, relative clauses typically start with a relative pronoun. In Arabic, the relative pronoun is usually the word "الذي" (pronounced: "alladhi" for masculine nouns) or "التي" (pronounced: "allati" for feminine nouns).

2. Agreement in Gender and Number

In Arabic, the relative pronouns agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to. This contrasts with English, where the relative pronoun does not change according to the noun’s gender or number.

3. Placement of the Relative Clause

In English, the relative clause can be placed at the beginning or the end of the sentence. In Arabic, the placement is more fixed, typically following the noun it describes.

4. Use of Definite Nouns

Arabic uses relative clauses primarily with definite nouns, while in English, relative clauses can also be used with indefinite nouns.

Examples of Relative Clauses in Arabic

To illustrate these points, let’s look at some examples of relative clauses in Arabic compared to English.

Standard Arabic	Pronunciation	English
الرجل الذي قرأت عنه	ar-rajul alladhi qara'tu 'anhu	The man whom I read about
الفتاة التي رأيتها	al-fataah allati ra'aytuha	The girl whom I saw
الكتاب الذي اشتريته	al-kitab alladhi ishtaraytuhu	The book that I bought
السيارة التي سافرت بها	as-sayyarah allati safartu biha	The car that I traveled with
الطلاب الذين يدرسون هنا	at-tullab alladhina yadrusuna huna	The students who study here
السيدة التي تحدثت معها	as-sayyidah allati tahaddathu ma'aha	The lady whom I spoke with
المنزل الذي أعيش فيه	al-manzil alladhi a'ishu fihi	The house where I live
الفلم الذي شاهدته رائع	al-film alladhi shahadtu ra'i'	The movie that I watched is wonderful
المعلم الذي درسني	al-mu'allim alladhi darrasani	The teacher who taught me
الكلب الذي يلعب في الحديقة	al-kalb alladhi yil'ab fi al-hadiqah	The dog that is playing in the garden

Forming Relative Clauses in Arabic

Now that we understand the differences, let’s delve into how to form relative clauses in Arabic.

1. Identify the Noun: Start with the noun you want to describe.

2. Choose the Correct Relative Pronoun: Select "الذي" or "التي" based on the gender and number of the noun.

3. Construct the Clause: Add the additional information about the noun.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce what you have learned, here are some practice exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the appropriate relative pronoun.

1. _____ (الذي/التي) تحب الطعام.

2. _____ (الذي/التي) يتحدث العربية جيداً.

3. _____ (الذي/التي) أعيش فيه كبير.

4. _____ (الذي/التي) درسنا في الصف ممتاز.

Solutions:

1. الذي

2. الذي

3. الذي

4. الذي

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following English sentences into Arabic using relative clauses.

1. The book that I read was interesting.

2. The woman who came yesterday is my friend.

3. The students who are studying are very dedicated.

4. The car that I bought is new.

Solutions:

1. الكتاب الذي قرأته كان مثيراً للاهتمام.

2. المرأة التي جاءت أمس هي صديقتي.

3. الطلاب الذين يدرسون هم مخلصون جداً.

4. السيارة التي اشتريتها جديدة.

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Using the following nouns, create sentences with relative clauses.

1. المعلم (the teacher)

2. الفتاة (the girl)

3. الكتاب (the book)

Example Solutions:

1. المعلم الذي علمنا اللغة العربية.

2. الفتاة التي تلعب في الحديقة.

3. الكتاب الذي اشتريته أمس.

Summary

In this lesson, we explored the intricate world of relative clauses in Arabic and their differences from English. We learned about the use of relative pronouns, the importance of gender and number agreement, and how to construct relative clauses effectively.

By practicing these concepts, you will enhance your ability to communicate in Arabic, adding depth and clarity to your sentences. As you continue your journey in learning Arabic, remember that every new grammatical structure you master brings you one step closer to fluency.

Remember to keep practicing, and don't hesitate to revisit this lesson as needed. The beauty of learning a new language is in the gradual process of becoming more comfortable and confident in its use.

Table of Contents - Standard Arabic Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Arabic script

• Arabic vowels
• Arabic consonants
• Basic Arabic phrases

  ---

Nouns and gender in Arabic

• Definite and indefinite articles
• Masculine and feminine nouns

  ---

Verbs and conjugation in Arabic

• Present tense conjugation
• Past tense conjugation
• Future tense conjugation

  ---

Numbers and counting in Arabic

• Cardinal numbers 1-100
• Ordinal numbers

  ---

Everyday Arabic vocabulary

• Greetings and farewells
• Colors
• Days of the week
• Months of the year

  ---

Food and drink vocabulary

• Basic food vocabulary
• Drinks

  ---

Arabic customs and traditions

• Islam and Arabic culture
• Arabic hospitality

  ---

Arabic music and entertainment

• Arabic music genres
• Arabic dance

  ---

Adjectives in Arabic

• Adjective agreement and placement
• Comparative and superlative

  ---

Pronouns in Arabic

• Personal pronouns
• Possessive pronouns

  ---

Prepositions in Arabic

• Basic prepositions
• Prepositions of time and place

  ---

Interrogatives in Arabic

• Question words
• Question formation

  ---

Adverbs in Arabic

• Formation and placement
• Negation

  ---

Transportation vocabulary

• Public transportation
• Asking for directions

  ---

Shopping and money vocabulary

• Money vocabulary
• Shopping vocabulary

  ---

Arabic literature and poetry

• Classical Arabic literature
• Arabic poetry

  ---

Arabic calligraphy and art

• History of Arabic calligraphy
• Arabic art and architecture

  ---

Weather vocabulary

• Basic weather vocabulary
• Talking about the weather

  ---

Conditional sentences in Arabic

• First and second conditional
• Third conditional and mixed conditionals

  ---

Passive voice in Arabic

• Formation and usage
• Differences from the active voice

  ---

Relative clauses in Arabic

• Formation and usage
• Differences from English relative clauses

  ---

Arabic adjectives and nouns

• Common Arabic adjectives
• Compound nouns in Arabic

  ---

Arabic cinema and TV

• Arabic cinema
• Arabic TV

  ---

Arabic fashion and beauty

• Traditional Arabic dress
• Arabic beauty and cosmetics

  ---

Sports and leisure vocabulary

• Popular Arabic sports
• Leisure activities

Other Lessons

• Read the Vowels
• Learn Arabic Grammar
• Definite and indefinite articles
• THE DECLENSION OF THE SOUND MASCULINE PLURAL
• NOMINATIVE SEPARATE PERSONAL PRONOUNS
• Arabic consonants
• Negation
• Accents
• Arabic vowels
• Word order

◀️ Formation and usage — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Common Arabic adjectives ▶️