The Definite Article — Al (ال)

The Definite Article: ال (Al)

In Arabic, ال ("al") is equivalent to "the" in English. It is prefixed to the noun.

كِتَاب = a book (indefinite)

الكِتَاب = the book (definite)

Sun Letters (حروف شمسية)

When al- precedes certain letters (sun letters), the lam of al- is assimilated into the first letter of the word.

Sun letters: ت ث د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ل ن

الشمس = ash-shams (NOT al-shams)

النور = an-noor (NOT al-noor)

Moon Letters (حروف قمرية)

The lam is clearly pronounced.

Moon letters: ا ب ج ح خ ع غ ف ق ك م ه و ي

القمر = al-qamar

البيت = al-bayt

Knowledge Check