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:
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.