A relative pronoun in Arabic grammar is a pronoun that begins a relative clause and relates it to the main sentence where it is contained. There are terms like “who,” “whose,” “which,” and so on do the same role in the English language.

Relative pronouns are used in a sentence to connect speech and to denote a specific meaning, and these relative pronouns vary according to the meaning of each of them, and according to what they refer to in terms of singularity, duality, plural, feminine, and masculine. Let’s get to know these pronouns in a brief and clearer way at the same time.

What Are The Arabic Relative Pronouns (al-Ismul Mawsool)?

The relative pronoun الاسم الموصول indicates that it is a pronoun that denotes a specific thing mentioned before it. The sentence that comes after the relative pronoun is called (the relative clause), and the meaning of the phrase is not complete unless the relative clause is mentioned in the sentence.

To explain the Arabic relative pronouns, they are used at the start of the relative clauses. After definite nouns, relative pronouns are used to begin sentences that explain or elaborate on those nouns in Arabic. The relative clauses that come after relative pronouns may be Semi-relative clauses, nominal clauses, or verbal clauses.

The naming of relative pronouns goes back to their relative to what comes after them from the speech that is called the relative clause, and this is what makes the relative pronouns deficient in terms of significance if they are not connected to something after them.

What Are The 7 Arabic Relative Pronouns?

Before we get started, let’s ask this question: Are there 7 or more Arabic relative pronouns?

Some students are surprised to learn that Arabic has more than just the common relative pronouns they learned in their beginner classes.

Technically, you could say Arabic has 10 relative pronouns.

Let me explain.

The Core Arabic Relative Pronouns

First, we have the two main relative pronouns that are like the foundation:

1. الذي (alladhi) – for masculine singular nouns.
2. التي (allati) – for feminine singular nouns.

These are the ones you’ll encounter most often. They’re like the “who” and “which” of Arabic. Simple, right?

Adding the Dual and Plural Forms to Arabic Relative Pronouns

But wait! Arabic has something called dual and plural forms for nouns. So, naturally, our relative pronouns need to match! This gives us:

3. اللذان (alladhaan) – for dual masculine nouns.
4. اللتان (allataan) – for dual feminine nouns.
5. الذين (alladheen) – for plural masculine nouns.
6. اللاتي (allaati) – for plural feminine nouns.

Now we have six! 

But Arabic has other words work as relative pronouns.

More Arabic Relative Pronouns

7. من (man) – This is for people. It means “who” or “whoever.”
   أخي هو من طبخ الطعام (akhi huwa man tabakha al-ṭa’am) – My brother is the one who cooked the food.
   
8. ما (ma) – This is for things that are not people. It means “what” or “whatever.” قرأت ما في الكتاب (qara’tu ma fi al-kitab) – I read what was in the book.
   
9. أي (ay) – It can be for people or things.  It depends on what comes after it.

• أحترمُ أيَّ رجلٍ يُقاتِلُ المُعتَدينَ (uḥtarimu ayya rajulin yuqātilu al-mu’tadīn) – I respect any man who fights the aggressors. Here, أي is for a person – the man who fights.
• اختار الطالبُ أيَّ كتابٍ سيقرأ (ikhtāra al-ṭālibu ayya kitābin sayaqra’u) – The student chose which book he will read.
  

10. ذا (dha) – This one is special. It can be used for people and things. It does not change for singular or plural. We find it a lot in the Quran.
    “مَن ذا الَّذي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا” Al-Baqarah 2:245 (man dha alladhi yuqriḍu Allaha qarḍan ḥasanan) – Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan?

You see? These words, they make relative clauses. 

Examples of Arabic Relative Pronouns in the Quran

Here, I will share with you examples from the Quran for each relative pronoun. 

1. Example of الذي in Quran

 {تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ}
Tabāraka al-ladhī bi-yadihi al-mulk wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr
“Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent.”
Surah Al-Mulk, Ayah 1

The relative pronoun “الذي” (alladhi) connects the attribute of “dominion” directly to Allah, emphasizing His absolute control over all creation. It’s like saying, “He, the one who holds all power, is blessed.

2. Example of التي in Quran

{كَالَّتِي نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا}
ka-al-latī naqadat ghazlaha
“Like she who untwisted her spun thread.”
Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 92

In this Ayah, التي (she who) refers to a woman who undoes her own work, symbolizing actions that go to waste. It connects the example to the behavior described, making the comparison strong.

3. Example of اللذان in Quran

{وَاللَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَانِهَا مِنكُمْ فَآذُوهُمَا}
wa-al-ladhān ya’tiyānihā minkum fa-ādhūhumā
“And the two among you who commit it, punish them both.”
Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 16

This verse addresses a specific case of wrongdoing, using “اللذان” (alladhaan) to refer to two individuals involved. The relative pronoun clarifies the subject and emphasizes that the ruling applies specifically to the two who commit the act.

4. Example of الذين in Quran

{وَأَنجَيْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ}
wa-anjaynā al-ladhīna āmanū wa-kānū yattaqūn
“And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah.”
Surah ِAl-Naml, Ayah 53

Here, الذين (those who) helps to focus on the qualities of these believers and gives them importance in the Ayah.

5. Example of اللاتي in Quran

{وَاللَّاتِي يَأْتِينَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مِن نِّسَائِكُمْ}
wa-al-lātī ya’tīna al-fāḥisha min nisā’ikum
“And those of your women who commit unlawful acts…”
Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 15

In this Ayah, اللاتي (those who) is used for a group of women, connecting them to an action.

6. Example of مَن in Quran

{إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ}
illā man tāba wa-āmana
“Except those who repent and believe.”
Surah Al-Furqan, Ayah 70

This verse highlights the mercy of Allah, using “من” (man) to refer to those who repent and do good deeds.

7. ما (mā)

{وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ}
wa-yaqṭa‘ūna mā amara Allāhu bihi an yūṣal
“And they sever what Allah has ordered to be joined.”
Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 27

What are all the Relative pronouns in Detail?

There are two types of relative pronouns: Specific and common.

Specific Relative Pronouns

The Specific relative pronouns agree with the noun that precedes them in both gender and number which are often defining nouns. These Pronouns are:

•  الذي: for the masculine singular (for the animate or inanimate).

اَلْمُدَرِّب اَلَّذِي أَعْرِفُهُ

almudarib aladhi ‘aerifuh

The coach I know

• اللذان: for the masculine two (for the animate or inanimate).

اَلطَّالِبَانِ اَللَّذَانِ يَدْرُسَانِ اَللُّغَةَ اَلْعَرَبِيَّةَ

Altaaliban alladhan yadrusan allughat alearabia

The two students who study Arabic

• اللذين: for the masculine plural (for the animate only).

(وَعَلَى اَلثَّلَاثَةِ اَلَّذِينَ خَلَّفُوا)

we alaa althalathato aladhina khulifu

These three were among those who left 

• التي: for the feminine singular (for the animate or inanimate).

رَأَيْتُ اَلَّتِي قَطَفَتْ اَلْأَزْهَارُ

ra’ayto alati qatafat al’azhar

I saw the one who picked the flowers

• اللتان-اللتين: for the feminine dual (for the animate or inanimate).

جَاءَتْ اَلسَّيِّدَتَانِ اَللَّتَانِ شَاهَدَتْهُمَا

 ja’at alsayidatan allatan shahadathuma

The two ladies who saw them came

• اللائي- اللواتي: for the feminine plural (for the animate or inanimate).

حَضَرَتْ اَلنِّسَاءُ اَللَّائِي فُزْنَ بِالْمُسَابَقَةِ

     Hadarat alnisa’ allaayiy fazana bialmusabaqa

The women who won the competition attended

Common Relative Pronouns

They are the same in use with the masculine and the feminine, and the dual and the plural. These pronouns are:

• مًنْ: it is often used for the animate.

صَدَّقَ مَنْ قَالَ

Sadeq man qal

Believe who said

•  ما: it is often used for the inanimate.

أَشْتَرِي مَا أَحْتَاجُهُ

‘ashtari ma ‘ahtajuh

I buy what I need

•  ذا: it is often used for the animate or inanimate, and it is stipulated that it is not used for a demonstrative pronoun and that it should occur after (مًنْ, ما).

مَاذَا عَمِلَتْ؟

Madha amalt?

what did you do?

Masculine and feminine Relative Pronouns

After we have learned all the relative pronouns, let’s get to know the specific relative pronouns for a clearer explanation in the following chart:

Arabic	Transliteration	The usage	Example
اَلَّذِي	aladhi	Masculine singular	اَلْوَلَد اَلَّذِي فِي اَلْحَدِيقَةِ مُهَذَّبٌal’awlado aladhin fi alhadiqate muhadhabunThe boy who is in the park is polite
اَللَّذَانِ – اَللَّذَيْنِ	alladhani-alladhayn	Masculine dual	اَلْوَلَدَانِ اَللَّذَانِ فِي اَلْحَدِيقَةِ مُهَذَّبَانِAlwaldan alladhan fi alhadiqate muhadhibanThe two boys who are in the park are polite
اَلَّذِينَ	aladhin	Masculine plural	اَلْأَوْلَاد اَلَّذِينَ فِي اَلْحَدِيقَةِ مُهَذَّبُونَaal’awlado aalladhin fi aalhadiqate muhadhdhabun The boys who are in the park are polite
اَلَّتِي	alati	Feminine singular	اَلْبِنْت اَلَّتِي فِي اَلْحَدِيقَةِ مُهَذَّبَةًalbintalati fi alhadiqate muhadhabaThe girl who is in the park v polite
اَللَّتَانِ – اَللَّتَيْنِ	allataanu-allatayn	Feminine dual	اَلْبِنْتَانِ اَللَّتَانِ فِي اَلْحَدِيقَةِ مُهَذَّبَتَانِAlbuntan allatan fi alhadiqate muhadhabatanThe two girls who are in the park are polite
اَللَّوَاتِي – اَللَّائِي	Al-La’i- Lati, AlLawati	Feminine plural	اَلْبَنَات اَللَّوَاتِي فِي اَلْحَدِيقَةِ مُهَذَّبَاتٌAlbanat allawati fi alhadiqate muhadhabatThe girls who are in the park are polite

Comprehensive Arabic Relative Pronouns Chart

To make things easier, here is a comprehensive chart for Arabic relative pronouns. This chart covers the most commonly used relative pronouns and how they change based on gender, number, and case.

This chart will help organize the information and show you exactly which pronoun to use depending on the noun it relates to. 

Let’s take a look:

Relative Pronoun	Usage	Gender	Number	Example	Transliteration	Translation
الذي	For people and things	Masculine	Singular	الرجل الذي يدرس العربية	al-rajul al-ladhī yadrus al-‘Arabīyah	The man who studies Arabic.
التي	For people and things	Feminine	Singular	المرأة التي تسافر إلى مصر	al-mar’a al-latī tusāfir ilā Miṣr	The woman who travels to Egypt.
اللذان / اللذين	For people and things	Masculine	Dual	الطالبان اللذان يجتهدان	al-ṭālibān al-ladhān yajtahidān	The two students who work hard.
اللتان / اللتين	For people and things	Feminine	Dual	الفتاتان اللتان تحبان القراءة	al-fatātān al-latān tuḥibbān al-qirā’ah	The two girls who love reading.
الذين	For people	Masculine	Plural	الرجال الذين يعملون هنا	al-rijāl al-ladhīna ya‘malūn hunā	The men who work here.
اللاتي / اللواتي	For people	Feminine	Plural	النساء اللاتي يزرن المسجد	al-nisā’ al-lātī yazurna al-masjid	The women who visit the mosque.
من	For people (general)	Any	Any	أخي هو من طبخ الطعام	akhi huwa man tabakha al-ṭa’am	My brother is the one who cooked the food.
ما	For things (general)	Any	Any	قرأت ما في الكتاب	qara’tu ma fi al-kitab	I read what was in the book.
أي	For people or things	Any	Any	أحترمُ أيَّ رجلٍ يُقاتِلُ المُعتَدينَ	uḥtarimu ayya rajulin yuqātilu al-mu’tadīn	I respect any man who fights the aggressors.
ذا	For people and things	Any	Any	مَن ذا الَّذي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا	man dha alladhi yuqriḍu Allaha qarḍan ḥasanan	Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan?

The Characteristics of Arabic Relative Pronouns

Each Arabic relative pronoun has certain qualities that influence its role in sentences. Arabic relative pronouns follow precise rules depending on gender, number, and even the noun type.

1. Arabic Relative Pronouns Always Definite

Remember how we learned about definite and indefinite nouns? Well, relative pronouns are ALWAYS definite. They point to a specific noun we already know.

البيت الذي له باب أحمر
al-bayt alladhi lahu baab ahmar
The house that has a red door 

We know it’s a specific house, not just any house.

2.  Arabic Relative Pronouns Match the Antecedent in Gender

Relative pronouns, like other parts of Arabic grammar, must match the gender of the noun they describe. If the noun is masculine, the relative pronoun will also be masculine. The same applies to feminine nouns.

الرجل الذي يساعد الناس
al-rajul al-ladhī yusā‘id al-nās
The man who helps people.

المرأة التي تساعد الناس
al-mar’a al-latī tusā‘id al-nās
The woman who helps people.

Here, الذي (al-ladhī) is used for the masculine noun الرجل (al-rajul, “the man”), while التي (al-latī) is for the feminine noun المرأة (al-mar’a, “the woman”).

2. Arabic Relative Pronouns Match the Antecedent Number

Arabic nouns can be singular, dual (for two), or plural, and each form requires a different relative pronoun. This actually brings clarity to sentences by specifying exactly how many people or things are being described.

• Singular Example:

الطالب الذي يدرس
al-ṭālib al-ladhī yadrus
The student who studies.

• Dual Example:

الطالبان اللذان يدرسان
al-ṭālibān al-ladhān yadrusān
The two students who study.

• Plural Example:

الطلاب الذين يدرسون
al-ṭullāb al-ladhīna yadrusūn
The students who study.

The singular, dual, and plural forms keep sentences clear by aligning the relative pronoun with the number of subjects.

4. Some Arabic Relative Pronouns Change its Ending Depending on Its Role in the Sentence

Oh, this is a bit tricky, but important! Arabic words change their ending depending on their role in the sentence (subject, object, etc.). 

For now, we have used nominative case (مرفوع), where the pronoun is the subject of the relative clause.

But, the pronoun can also be accusative (منصوب) or genitive (مجرور). This changes the ending, for example, “اللذان” can become “اللذيّن”.

The Function of Arabic Relative Pronouns

So, let’s see in detail what role these Arabic relative pronouns play. Arabic relative pronouns are connectors, also they serve to give details and add depth to sentences by linking ideas together. 

Think of each relative pronoun as a bridge. It connects a noun to extra information, telling us something more about the person or thing we’re talking about.

1. Arabic Relative Pronouns Link Nouns with Details

When we use a relative pronoun like الذي (al-ladhī), we are linking a noun to a clause that describes it further. This description could tell us what a person did, what they like, or even where they are. For example:

الرجل الذي يسافر كثيراً
al-rajul al-ladhī yusāfir kathīran
The man who travels a lot.

Here, الذي (al-ladhī) links the noun الرجل (al-rajul, “the man”) with the fact that he travels often. 

2. Arabic Relative Pronouns Definine and Specify Nouns

Arabic relative pronouns also help to define and specify nouns. By using a relative pronoun, you’re telling the listener or reader exactly which person or thing you mean. This adds clarity, especially when talking about people, places, or objects in complex sentences.

الكتب التي قرأتها مفيدة جداً
al-kutub al-latī qara’tuhā mufīda jiddan
The books that I read are very useful.

In this sentence, التي (al-latī) is pointing to specific books—the ones I read. Without التي, the sentence الكتب مفيدة جداً (al-kutub mufīda jiddan) would mean simply, “The books are very useful,” but with التي, we specify that it’s only the books I read.

3. Arabic Relative Pronouns Create Complex Sentences

Arabic uses relative pronouns to create complex sentences. In one sentence, you can describe actions, give reasons, or talk about relationships. This makes language richer and more powerful. In fact, relative clauses are often used in Arabic literature, poetry, and the Quran to add layers of meaning.

Example from the Quran, Surat Fussilat (41:33):

“وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِمَّنْ دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ”
wa-man aḥsanu qawlan mimman da‘ā ilā Allāh
And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah.

Here, مِمَّنْ (mimman) functions as a relative pronoun meaning “than one who,” connecting the subject of the sentence with the person who calls to Allah. It helps create a powerful, meaningful question.

4. Arabic Relative Pronouns Help to Clarify and Avoid Repetition

Instead of short, choppy sentences, we can make one long, elegant sentence:

“I saw the man. The man was wearing a hat.” → “I saw the man who was wearing a hat.”

In Arabic: رأيت الرجل. كان الرجل يرتدي قبعة. → رأيت الرجل الذي كان يرتدي قبعة. 

The relative pronoun makes the sentences flow like water, more natural for Arabic.

How Kalimah Center Can Help

At Kalimah Center, we focus on helping you master these details with clear, structured lessons. Our native-speaking instructors have years of experience, and many students have achieved great progress with us. 

If you want to understand Arabic relative pronouns deeply, joining us for a FREE trial class will give you the support you need to master this lesson and beyond.

Declension of Relative Nouns

The sentence is the main factor that explains the syntax of the relative noun, and it is built continuously. All relative pronouns have been synthesized through their location in the sentence. These may be nominative, prepositional, or accusative.  They are like demonstrative pronouns. All relative pronouns are based on a vowel.

What is The Relative Clause (jumlat silat almawsul)

The sentence that clarifies and completes the meaning of the relative pronoun is known as the relative clause. It is a dependent sentence that explains the meaning of the sentence in the Arabic language. 

It may be a nominal relative clause, a verbal relative clause, or a semi-relative clause. It must have a pronoun that refers to the relative pronoun when it is a verbal or nominal relative clause while a semi-relative clause pronoun does not have any preferred pronoun whether it is a separate, attached, or implicit one. Let’s review some examples and re-explain them in detail in the following paragraphs:

• A nominal relative clause: هَذِهِ اَلْفَتَاةِ اَلَّتِي هِيَ مُجْتَهِدَةٌ

Hadhihe alfataat alati hi mujtahida

This girl who is diligent

• A verbal relative clause: تِلْكَ اَلْفَتَاة اَلَّتِي نَجَحَتْ

Tilk alfataat alati najahat

That girl who succeeded

• A semi-relative clause: غَادَرَتْ اَلْفَتَاةِ اَلَّتِي عِنْدِي

Ghadarat alfataate alati eindi

The girl that I had left

Nominal Relative Clause

In the following sentences, the relative clause is a nominal one. It is consisted of topic and predicate. The topic is a separate pronoun that refers to the relative pronoun. We note that the nominal sentence is not common as a relative clause.

• رَأَيْتُ اَلْفَتَاةُ اَلَّتِي هِيَ جَمِيلَةٌ

Ra’ayt alfataat alati hi jamila

I saw the girl who is beautiful

• مَشَيْتُ مَعَ مِنْ هُوَ شُجَاعٌ

Mshit mae man hu shujae

 I walked with someone who is brave

• قَرَأَتْ اَلْكِتَابَيْنِ اَللَّذَيْنِ هُمَا مُفِيدَانِ

Qarat alkitabayn alladhayn huma mufidan

 I read the two books that are useful

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Verbal Relative Clause

One type of dependent clause is a relative clause. Although it has a subject and verb, it cannot be used as a complete sentence. Because it operates as an adjective and provides more details about a noun, it is occasionally referred to as an adjective clause, as in the following:

• قَرَأَتْ اَلْكِتَابَ اَلَّذِي اِسْتَفَدْتُ مِنْهُ

Qarat alkitab aladhi astafadt minh

 I read the book that I benefited from

• سَمِعَتْ قِصَّةً مِنْ نَجَحَ

Samiet qisatan min najah

 I heard the story of who succeeded

• رَأَيْتُ اَلطَّالِبُ اَلَّذِي قَابَلَتْهُ بِالْأَمْسِ

Raaaytu attaliba alladhii qabaltu-hu ams

I saw the student whom I met yesterday

In the sentence above, it is clear that the attached pronoun “huـه” in “qabaltu-hu قابلته” refers back to the relative noun اَلَّذِي (alladhii).

Semi-relative Clause

In Arabic, a semi-clause is known as shibh jumla (شبه جملة). It is a noun followed by a place adverb or a preposition. It does not contain a referent pronoun as a nominal relative clause, or verbal relative clause if it comes after the relative pronoun to make a relative phrase, as in the following:

• سَمِعَتْ عَنْ اَلْمَرْضَى اَللَّذَيْنِ فِي اَلْمُسْتَشْفَى

Samiet ean almardaa alladhayn fi almustashfaa

I heard about the patients in the hospital

• رَأَيْتُ اَلْفَتَاةُ اَلَّتِي عِنْدَ اَللَّافِتَةِ 

Ra’ayt alfataat alati eind allaafita

I saw the girl at the sign

• أَعْرِفُ مِنْ فِي اَلْغُرْفَةِ

Aierif ana man fi alghurfa

I know who is in the room

The Importance of the Relative Pronouns

There are many purposes for using relative nouns in the context of speech, instead of using regular nouns, and the following is a statement of the most important of them:

• The first and most important reason for employing a relative clause to represent the subject that indicated in the sentence You, your audience, or both of you are at a loss for words when referring to the topic. 
• Exaltation: This is by mentioning the great thing associated with it after the connected name
• A relative clause can be used to refer to the subject indirectly rather than directly, which is the second justification for doing so. i.e., you are so repulsed by the topic that you don’t even want to make a direct reference to it; instead, you use a derogatory term. 

Arabic Relative Pronouns Exercises

Now it’s time to put all that knowledge to the test. 

Choose the correct relative pronoun:

• البيت … بابه بني كبير (The house … door is brown is big)
  • الذي / التي / اللذان / اللتان
• الأولاد … يلعبون في الحديقة أصدقائي (The boys … are playing in the garden are my friends)
  • الذي / اللذان / الذين / اللاتي
• الفتاة … شعرها أسود جميل (The girl … hair is black is beautiful)
  • الذي / التي / اللذان / اللتان

Translate these phrases to Arabic:

• The car that is blue.
• The books which are on the shelf.
• The woman who is smiling.

Arabic Relative Pronouns Worksheet from Kalimah Center

Want to practice even more? Kalimah Center has prepared a worksheet for you to download for FREE. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1asxToTdfnR7HRWfafBxzielbYJc4g0_n/view?usp=sharing

Want to REALLY Master Arabic Relative Pronouns and Clauses?

It’s good you are learning about this important topic! But to really understand and use relative pronouns, you need more than just information. You need practice with native-speaking experienced instructors.

Kalimah Center can help! Our online Arabic courses will teach you everything you need to know about relative pronouns and clauses:

• Clear explanations: We make grammar easy to understand.
• Lots of practice: You’ll use relative pronouns in speaking and writing activities.
• Experienced teachers: Our native Arabic speakers will answer all your questions.

Join us for a FREE trial class.

Because the Arabic language has a large lexicon, mastering its grammar is essential for efficient communication. Understanding and using the various relative pronouns will enable learners to articulate complicated concepts while producing cogent and interesting written material, which is a crucial component of this skill. The goal of this essay was to arm you with the knowledge you need to effectively use relative pronouns in the Arabic language, making your writing convincing and correct.