Question Word WHO in Arabic Language

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This lesson is part two of lesson 1 in Durus al-lughah al-arabiyyah book volume 1. If you haven't learned part one, read here.

The subject in this part is question word "who" in Arabic.


Who in Arabic


We have learned question word "what" in Arabic, and yes/no question in Arabic.

Let's recap the previous lesson, what in arabic language is => مَا 

If you want to ask the person using the word who, you can say => مَنْ



Summary مَا  and مَنْ



مَا    is used for:  Irrational things, such as: non-living things, animals, plants.

مَنْ  is used for: rational beings, such as: human.



who in arabic - durusul lughah alarabiyyah volume 1



Example sentence


What is this? => مَا هَذَا

Who is this? => مَنْ هَذَا


1. مَنْ هَذَا؟
هَذَا طَبِيْبٌ
The meaning:
Who is this?
This is a doctor.


2. مَنْ هَذَا؟
هَذَا وَلَدٌ
The meaning:
Who is this?
This is a child/boy.


3. مَنْ هَذَا؟
هَذَا طَالِبٌ
The meaning:
Who is this?
This is a student.


4. أَهَذَا وَلَدٌ؟
لاَ,هَذَا رَجُلٌ
The meaning:
Is this a boy?
No, this is a man.


5. مَنْ هَذَا؟
هَذَا تَاجِرٌ
The meaning:
Who is this?
This is a trader.


6. هَذَا كَلْبٌ
The meaning: This is a dog.


7. أَهَذَا كَلْبٌ؟
لاَ, هَذَا قِطٌّ
The meaning:
Is this a dog? No, this is a cat (male cat).


8. هَذَا حِمَارٌ
The meaning: This is a donkey.


9. أَهَذَا حِمَارٌ؟
لاَ, هَذَا حِصَانٌ
The meaning:
Is this a donkey? No, this is a horse.


10. وَمَا هّذَا؟
هَذَا جَمَلٌ
The meaning: And what is this? This is a camel.


11. مَا هَذَا؟ هَذَا دِيْكٌ
The meaning: What is this? This is a rooster.


12. مَنْ هَذَ؟
هَذَا مُدَرِّسٌ
The meaning: Who is this? This is a teacher.



13. أَهَذَا قَمِيْصٌ؟  لاَ, هَذَا مِنْدِيْلٌ
The meaning: Is this a shirt? No, this is a handkerchief.