All The Arabic You Never Learned The First Time Around

C: Direct Object Pronouns

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Arabic Instructor

The possessive pronouns which we studied in Chapter Three are also used as direct object pronouns.

They are written at the end of the verb. For example, “I studied it” (if “it” is masculine) is درستهُ . If “it” is feminine, then you have درستها . “I saw them (masc) is شاهدتهم. However, you should note the following points.

1. When a verb is conjugated for هم , it ends, as you know, in وا. For example درسوا “they studied.” The alif at the end is just a spelling convention. When we attach a direct object pronoun to this ending the alif is dropped. For example درسوهُ”They studied it.”

2. When a verb is conjugated for أنتم we add تُم as a suffix. For example درستُم Whenever a direct object pronoun is attached to this suffix we place a و between the verb conjugation and the pronoun. So to write, for example, “You (masc. plural) studied it,” we write درستموهُ.

3. All the possessive pronoun suffixes and direct object pronoun suffixes are the same except one. The one that is different is for the first person singular. The possessive pronoun suffix for the first person singular is ي but the direct object pronoun for it is ني. Thus “He saw me” is شاهدني

Comments

4 responses to “C: Direct Object Pronouns”

  1. Hayat Avatar
    Hayat

    I don’t shy, rather I am proud to be able to develop An Arabic grammar lessons for my American students the way they understand it. I will pay special attention to things I find that rise question in my mind.
    However, I have read your article with your recommendations for Arabic language learners and have something to say; you are mentioning that it is a mistake to learn any of the Arabic dialect before learning the MSA, well now a days the DLI is in the process to eliminate all MSA classes for the sake of teaching Syrian, Iraqi, and other dialects. I agree with you that this is not the right way to start with. What can we do against the high demands for dialects? I would like to have you answering my question.
    Sincerely,
    Hayat

    Reply
  2. James Lacey Avatar
    James Lacey

    “2. When a verb is conjugated for أنتم we add تُم as a suffix. For example درستُم Whenever a direct object pronoun is attached to this suffix we place a و between the verb conjugation and the pronoun. So to write, for example, “You (masc. plural) studied it,” we write درستموهُ.”

    I am wondering if the suffix for a verb conjugated for أنتم is actually كُم rather than تُم.

    Reply
    2. Amin Avatar
      Amin

      Hi James, Salamun alaika…
      تم is the One doing the action, like “You went to school”, which is, “Dhahabtum ila-al-madrasah”, and كُم is masculine plural for the one, upon whom an action is taking place, like “He are calling you all” which is “Hoa yad3ookum Jami3an”.

      In addition to that, kum also is used for possession, Like “Your books” which is “kutubkum”.

      Reply

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