Lesson 1: Using هذا (This) and ذلك (That) with Nouns

Lesson: Understanding هٰذَا (This) and ذٰلِكَ (That) in Arabic

In Arabic, demonstrative pronouns are essential for identifying objects based on their proximity. The pronoun هٰذَا (this) is used for things that are close to the speaker, while ذٰلِكَ (that) is used for objects that are far away. Both of these pronouns are specifically used with masculine nouns. In this lesson, we'll explore how to use these pronouns in simple, everyday sentences.

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The Basics of هٰذَا (This)

هٰذَا is used when the object you're referring to is nearby. For example:

1. هٰذَا كِتَابٌ – This is a book.
   Here, كِتَابٌ (book) is a masculine noun, so we use هٰذَا.

2. هٰذَا بَيْتٌ – This is a house.
   Similarly, بَيْتٌ (house) is masculine, so هٰذَا is appropriate.

3. هٰذَا كُرْسِيٌّ – This is a chair.
   In this sentence, كُرْسِيٌّ (chair) is masculine.

The Basics of ذٰلِكَ (That)

ذٰلِكَ is used to describe objects that are far from the speaker. For instance:

1. ذٰلِكَ قَلَمٌ – That is a pen.
   Since قَلَمٌ (pen) is a masculine noun, ذٰلِكَ is used.

2. ذٰلِكَ مَسْجِدٌ – That is a mosque.
   Here, مَسْجِدٌ (mosque) is masculine, so we use ذٰلِكَ. 

   
   
   

3. ذٰلِكَ طَعَامٌ – That is food.
   The word طَعَامٌ (food) is masculine, which is why ذٰلِكَ fits.

Combining هٰذَا and ذٰلِكَ in Sentences

Now let's see how both demonstratives can be used together to contrast objects near and far:

4. هٰذَا بَابٌ وَذٰلِكَ جِدَارٌ – This is a door, and that is a wall.
   In this sentence, بَابٌ (door) is near the speaker, so هٰذَا is used, while جِدَارٌ (wall) is far, so ذٰلِكَ is appropriate.

   
   
   

5. هٰذَا طَرِيقٌ وَذٰلِكَ بَيْتٌ – This is a road, and that is a house.
   Here, طَرِيقٌ (road) is close, while بَيْتٌ (house) is far away.

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Practice: Translate the following sentences into Arabic using هٰذَا or ذٰلِكَ.

1. This is a chair.
2. That is a house.
3. This is a car.
4. That is a book.
5. This is a mosque.
6. That is a pen.
7. This is a door.
8. That is food.
9. This is a wall.
10. That is a road.
11. This is a school.
12. That is a man.
13. This is a table.
14. That is a bed.
15. This is a computer.
16. That is a building.

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Conclusion

Mastering the use of هٰذَا and ذٰلِكَ is a key step in learning Arabic, as it helps you identify and describe objects around you. Practice these sentences to strengthen your understanding of demonstrative pronouns, and soon you'll be using them effortlessly in your everyday conversations.