MY ARABIC NOTEBOOK

In Arabic, nouns are classified as either definite (specific) or indefinite (unspecific). Below is a brief overview of definite and indefinite nouns.

Definite noun
In Arabic, a definite noun is called maʿrifah (معرفة). A noun is recognised as definite when it is preceded by the prefix “al” (ال). In this case, the tanween at the end of the word is removed.

In English, the word will be read as ‘The’ + noun. See examples below.

Indefinite noun
In Arabic, an indefinite noun is called nakirah (نكرة). A noun is recognised as indefinite when it is not preceded by the definite article “al” (ال) and ends with tanwin.

In English, the word will be read as ‘A’ or ‘An’ + noun. See examples below.

Additional note: Most proper nouns in Arabic have tanwin at the end.
Examples are as follows.

Muhammad	مُحَمَّدٌ
Khalid	خَالِدٌ
Nadiya	نَادِيةٌ