Difinite Article "ال"

ال

"ال" is the definite article of Arabic language, it is the equivalent of the word "the" in English.

Any noun or adjective without "ال" is considered indefinite. 

* there is no particular sign for the indefinite as "a" in English language rules.

Nouns and adjectives, when indefinite and in the singular form, end with double vowel marks "تنوين -tanween" :

ً    ٌ    ٍ

 

 بنتًا   كتابٌ    بيتٍ   

* revert to previous grammar lessons to know more about tanween.

But when words are made definite by adding "ال" they end with a single vowel mark only.

البنتَ   الكتابُ   البيتِ

 Note: the definite article "ال" is prefixed to the nouns and adjectives it defines as it doesnot stand alone.