8 - The Definite Article ال

The Definite Article ال

• ال makes a noun definite. For example Baabun (door) is A door, any door, not a specific door whereas Al-Baabu is THE door - a specific door. More examples are as follows:
  

معرفة - Definite نكرة - Indefinite

البيت	بيت
الكتاب	كِتَاب
المَكتَب	مَكتَب
الوَالِدُ	وَالِدٌ
المِفتَاح	مِفتَاح
السَرِير	سََرِير
الطَالِب	طَالِب
المِنديل	مِندِيل
الحَجَر	حَجَر
السَُكّر	سكّر

Definite article is often used in place names –

القاهرة

This is true in English as well “The Netherlands”

“The Sudan” although the English definite wouldn’t match the Arabic definite.

So in Arabic each must be learnt with or without ال as the case may be.