Al-The Arabic definite article
Al (Arabic: ال), is the definite article in the Arabic language.
Al- is a particle (ḥarf) in the grammar of the Arabic language.
Al- is a particle (ḥarf) in the grammar of the Arabic language.
The function of ال ( - Al ) is to render the noun on which it is prefixed definite.
For example,
the word - كتاب - "book" can be made definite by prefixing it with al-, resulting in الكتاب al-kitāb "the book".
the word - كتاب - "book" can be made definite by prefixing it with al-, resulting in الكتاب al-kitāb "the book".
Consequently, al- is typically translated as the in English.
Note that al-is always prefixed to another word and it never stands alone.
It ( ال ) is not a permanent part of the word to which it is prefixed.
It is added to a word to make a word definite.
It is removed from a word to make a word indefinite.
Definite - الكتاب - The book (al-kitaab)
Indefinite - كتاب - Book ( Kitaab)
It is removed from a word to make a word indefinite.
Definite - الكتاب - The book (al-kitaab)
Indefinite - كتاب - Book ( Kitaab)
The sound of the Laam in "Al" (ال) - can vary, when followed by Shamsiyyah - the sun letter.
( Examples of Sun letters are ت ث د س ن etc.)
While combining with a word beginning with a Shamsiyyah letter, the sound of that consonant is doubled after dropping the "Laam".
( Examples of Sun letters are ت ث د س ن etc.)
While combining with a word beginning with a Shamsiyyah letter, the sound of that consonant is doubled after dropping the "Laam".
For example: for "the sun" (الشمس ) one does not read al- shams but ash-shams.
(ie.The Laam is dropped because the first letter of the word is a Shamsiyyah)
(ie.The Laam is dropped because the first letter of the word is a Shamsiyyah)
When ال is followed by a moon letter, no such dropping of the"Laam" occurs.
For example, in "al-kitaab" ( الكتاب ) one reads it as "al-kitaab" without any removal of the sound of Laam.
For example, in "al-kitaab" ( الكتاب ) one reads it as "al-kitaab" without any removal of the sound of Laam.
This dropping of the sound of Laam occurs only in the pronunciation and not in the spelling of the article( ie.it is always written irrespective of the first letter of the word being a Shamsiyyah or a Qamariyyah.
Al- is not prefixed to other particles.
Similarly, al- is not prefixed to verbs.
The Vowels of Al (ال ) :
It is read with a fatḥa when beginning speech with the definite article.
For example, if one vocalizes the word البيت 'the house' it will be pronounced "al-bayt".
If, however, al- is vocalized in the middle of speech, the hamza will be dropped in pronunciation.
As a result, the vowel preceding the definite article will be linked to the lām of al-.
For example,
بابُ البيت (vocalized without any pauses) is pronounced "bābu l-bayt",
بابَ البيت is pronounced "bāba l-bayt", and
بابِ البيت is pronounced "bābi l-bayt".
Al- is not prefixed to other particles.
Similarly, al- is not prefixed to verbs.
Attribution:
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