Arabic Grammar
Arabic pronouns can feel confusing at first because Arabic is a gendered language. Words like she, her, he, his, and they change depending on gender, number, and usage in the sentence. In this guide, you will learn her pronouns in Arabic with clear examples, then compare them with female pronouns in Arabic, male pronouns in Arabic, and gender neutral pronouns in Arabic so you can use Arabic pronouns correctly and confidently.
How She / Her Pronouns In Arabic Work?
Arabic is a gendered language. This means that pronouns, nouns, verbs, adjectives, and even some sentence patterns often change depending on whether the subject is masculine or feminine.
In English, the pronouns “she” and “her” are easy to recognize. You say:
- She is reading.
- I saw her.
- This is her book.
In Arabic, the same ideas exist, but the forms work differently. The word “she” is usually هي (hiya), while “her” can appear as ـها (-hā) attached to a noun, verb, or preposition.
For example:
هي تقرأ كتابها.
Hiya taqra’u kitābahā.
She is reading her book.
Here:
- هي = she
- كتابها = her book
- ـها = her
Understanding her pronouns in Arabic is important because Arabic does not only use pronouns as separate words. Sometimes the pronoun is written clearly, and sometimes it is hidden inside the verb or attached to another word.
What Are Gender Pronouns In Arabic?
Gender pronouns in Arabic are pronouns that show whether the person or thing being discussed is masculine, feminine, singular, dual, or plural.
Arabic pronouns change according to:
| Category | Meaning |
| Person | First person, second person, third person |
| Number | Singular, dual, plural |
| Gender | Masculine or feminine |
| Function | Subject, object, possession, emphasis |
This is different from English in some ways. For example, English uses you for both male and female. Arabic has:
| English | Arabic | Transliteration | Usage |
| You masculine | أنتَ | anta | Speaking to one male |
| You feminine | أنتِ | anti | Speaking to one female |
| You two | أنتما | antumā | Speaking to two people |
| You all masculine/mixed | أنتم | antum | Speaking to a male or mixed group |
| You all feminine | أنتنَّ | antunna | Speaking to a female group |
So when learning gender pronouns Arabic, you need to pay attention to who is speaking, who is being spoken to, and whether the noun or person is masculine or feminine.
She Her Pronouns In Arabic:
The most important she her pronouns in Arabic are:
| English | Arabic | Transliteration | Function |
| She | هي | hiya | Subject pronoun |
| Her | ـها | -hā | Attached object or possessive pronoun |
| Her | إيّاها | iyyāhā | Detached object pronoun |
| To her | لها | lahā | Preposition + her |
| From her | منها | minhā | Preposition + her |
| With her | معها | maʿahā | Preposition + her |
The difference between she and her is very important.
هي means “she” and usually works as the subject.
ـها means “her” and attaches to another word.
Examples:
هي طالبة.
Hiya ṭālibah.
She is a student.
رأيتُها.
Ra’aytuhā.
I saw her.
كتابها جديد.
Kitābuhā jadīd.
Her book is new.
In the first sentence, هي stands alone. In the second and third sentences, ـها is attached to the verb or noun.
She In Arabic: هي
The Arabic pronoun for she is:
هي
hiya
She
Function Of هي
The function of هي is to refer to a female subject. It tells us who is doing the action or who is being described.
Examples:
هي تدرس العربية.
Hiya tadrusu al-ʿarabiyyah.
She studies Arabic.
هي تحفظ القرآن.
Hiya taḥfaẓu al-Qur’an.
She memorizes the Quran.
هي معلمة ممتازة.
Hiya muʿallimah mumtāzah.
She is an excellent teacher.
Usage of هي In Arabic
In Arabic, you do not always need to say هي because the verb can already show the subject.
For example:
هي تكتب.
Hiya taktubu.
She writes.
But you can also say:
تكتب.
Taktubu.
She writes / You write masculine.
The meaning depends on context. Because تكتب can mean “she writes” or “you masculine write,” adding هي can make the sentence clearer.
Her In Arabic: ـها
The most common Arabic form for her is:
ـها
-hā
Her
This pronoun does not stand alone. It attaches to verbs, nouns, and prepositions.
1. Her As An Object Pronoun
When ـها attaches to a verb, it usually means that the action is directed toward her.
Examples:
رأيتُها في المدرسة.
Ra’aytuhā fī al-madrasah.
I saw her at school.
ساعدتُها في الدرس.
Sāʿadtuhā fī ad-dars.
I helped her in the lesson.
سمعتُها تقرأ.
Samiʿtuhā taqra’u.
I heard her reading.
2. Her As A Possessive Pronoun
When ـها attaches to a noun, it shows possession.
Examples:
كتابها
kitābuhā
Her book
قلمها
qalamuhā
Her pen
مدرستها
madrasatuhā
Her school
Full sentences:
كتابها على المكتب.
Kitābuhā ʿalā al-maktab.
Her book is on the desk.
قلمها أزرق.
Qalamuhā azraq.
Her pen is blue.
3. Her After Prepositions
Arabic also attaches ـها to prepositions.
Examples:
| English | Arabic | Transliteration |
| To her / for her | لها | lahā |
| From her | منها | minhā |
| With her | معها | maʿahā |
| About her | عنها | ʿanhā |
| In it / in her | فيها | fīhā |
Examples:
ذهبتُ معها.
Dhahabtu maʿahā.
I went with her.
تحدثتُ عنها.
Taḥaddathtu ʿanhā.
I spoke about her.
أعطيتُ الكتاب لها.
Aʿṭaytu al-kitāba lahā.
I gave the book to her.
Master Arabic Pronouns and Start Speaking Clearly
If you’re learning Arabic as a non-native speaker, understanding gendered pronouns like “she/her” (هي / لها) is a key step toward speaking naturally and correctly. For example, you say: هي طالبة (She is a student) and أعطيتها الكتاب (I gave her the book). These simple structures help you build accurate sentences and communicate clearly in real-life situations.
Ready to go beyond basic grammar and actually start using Arabic confidently? Join the Arabic Learning Centre’s Arabic Classes for Non-Arabic Speakers and learn step-by-step from the alphabet to real communication skills. With structured lessons, practical examples, and guided practice, you’ll quickly move from understanding pronouns like she/her to forming full, correct Arabic sentences with ease. Enroll today and start your journey toward fluent Arabic.
Start mastering Arabic step by step with Arabic Classes for Non-Arabic Speakers at the Arabic Learning Centre. Enroll now and build real communication skills from the ground up.
What are the feminine pronouns in the Arabic language?
Female pronouns in Arabic include subject pronouns, attached pronouns, object pronouns, and possessive pronouns.
Detached Female Pronouns
Detached pronouns stand alone.
| Person | Arabic | Transliteration | English |
| 2nd singular feminine | أنتِ | anti | You feminine |
| 3rd singular feminine | هي | hiya | She |
| 2nd plural feminine | أنتنَّ | antunna | You all feminine |
| 3rd plural feminine | هنَّ | hunna | They feminine |
Examples:
أنتِ طالبة مجتهدة.
Anti ṭālibah mujtahidah.
You are a hardworking student.
هي تقرأ القرآن.
Hiya taqra’u al-Qur’an.
She reads the Quran.
أنتنَّ صديقاتي.
Antunna ṣadīqātī.
You all are my female friends.
هنَّ معلمات.
Hunna muʿallimāt.
They are female teachers.
Attached Female Pronouns In Arabic
Attached pronouns are connected to another word. They may attach to verbs, nouns, or prepositions.
| English | Arabic Suffix | Example | Meaning |
| Your feminine | ـكِ | كتابكِ | Your book |
| Her | ـها | كتابها | Her book |
| Your plural feminine | ـكنَّ | كتابكنَّ | Your book, all female |
| Their feminine | ـهنَّ | كتابهنَّ | Their book, female group |
Examples:
هذا كتابكِ.
Hādhā kitābuki.
This is your book, speaking to a female.
هذه حقيبتها.
Hādhihi ḥaqībatuhā.
This is her bag.
أين بيتكنَّ؟
Ayna baytukunna?
Where is your house, speaking to a group of females?
هذه مدرستهنَّ.
Hādhihi madrasatuhunna.
This is their school, referring to females.
Detached Object Female Pronouns
Arabic also has detached object pronouns used for emphasis or clarity.
| English | Arabic | Transliteration |
| You feminine | إيّاكِ | iyyāki |
| Her | إيّاها | iyyāhā |
| You all feminine | إيّاكنَّ | iyyākunna |
| Them feminine | إيّاهنَّ | iyyāhunna |
Examples:
رأيتُ إيّاها.
Ra’aytu iyyāhā.
I saw her.
سألتُ إيّاكِ.
Sa’altu iyyāki.
I asked you, feminine.
قابلتُ إيّاهنَّ.
Qābaltu iyyāhunna.
I met them, females.
This form is less common in simple beginner sentences, but it is useful when you want to emphasize the object.
Male Pronouns In Arabic
To understand female forms clearly, it helps to compare them with male pronouns in Arabic.
| English | Arabic | Transliteration | Function |
| He | هو | huwa | Subject |
| You masculine | أنتَ | anta | Subject |
| They masculine/mixed | هم | hum | Subject |
| His / him | ـهُ | -hu | Attached pronoun |
| Your masculine | ـكَ | -ka | Attached pronoun |
Examples:
هو طالب.
Huwa ṭālib.
He is a student.
أنتَ تكتب.
Anta taktubu.
You write, masculine.
رأيتُهُ.
Ra’aytuhu.
I saw him.
هذا كتابهُ.
Hādhā kitābuhu.
This is his book.
Female Pronouns Vs Male Pronouns In Arabic
The difference between male and female pronouns in Arabic is often small in form but important in meaning.
| English | Masculine Arabic | Feminine Arabic |
| He / She | هو | هي |
| You singular | أنتَ | أنتِ |
| They | هم | هنَّ |
| His / Her | ـهُ | ـها |
| Your | ـكَ | ـكِ |
Examples:
أنتَ طالب.
Anta ṭālib.
You are a male student.
أنتِ طالبة.
Anti ṭālibah.
You are a female student.
هو سعيد.
Huwa saʿīd.
He is happy.
هي سعيدة.
Hiya saʿīdah.
She is happy.
Notice that the adjective also changes:
- سعيد = happy masculine
- سعيدة = happy feminine
This is one of the most important characteristics of Arabic gender pronouns.
Gender Neutral Pronouns In Arabic
Many learners ask about gender neutral pronouns in Arabic because English now often uses “they/them” as a gender-neutral pronoun for one person.
Arabic works differently.
Arabic does not have a direct everyday equivalent of singular “they” used in the same way English uses it for a person. Most third-person pronouns are gendered:
| English | Arabic |
| He | هو |
| She | هي |
| They masculine/mixed | هم |
| They feminine | هنَّ |
However, Arabic does have some pronouns that are neutral in certain ways.
1. First Person Pronouns Are Gender Neutral
| English | Arabic | Transliteration |
| I | أنا | ana |
| We | نحن | naḥnu |
A man and a woman both say:
أنا أدرس العربية.
Ana adrusu al-ʿarabiyyah.
I study Arabic.
The pronoun أنا itself does not show gender. But the adjective or description may show gender.
Examples:
أنا سعيد.
Ana saʿīd.
I am a happy, male speaker.
أنا سعيدة.
Ana saʿīdah.
I am a happy, female speaker.
2. Some Dual Pronouns Are Shared
Arabic has a dual form for two people. Some dual pronouns are the same for masculine and feminine in the detached form.
| English | Arabic | Transliteration |
| You two | أنتما | antumā |
| They two | هما | humā |
Examples:
أنتما تدرسان العربية.
Antumā tadrusān al-ʿarabiyyah.
You two study Arabic.
هما في المدرسة.
Humā fī al-madrasah.
They two are at school.
However, the verb or adjective may still change depending on gender in more detailed grammar.
3. “It” In Arabic Is Usually Masculine Or Feminine
Arabic does not have a separate neutral “it” like English. Objects are usually grammatically masculine or feminine.
Examples:
الكتاب جديد.
هو على المكتب.
Al-kitābu jadīd. Huwa ʿalā al-maktab.
The book is new. It is on the desk.
Here, هو means “it” because كتاب is grammatically masculine.
السيارة جديدة.
هي أمام البيت.
As-sayyārah jadīdah. Hiya amāma al-bayt.
The car is new. It is in front of the house.
Here, هي means “it” because سيارة is grammatically feminine.
So, when discussing gender neutral pronouns in Arabic, the most accurate answer is: Arabic does not use neutral pronouns exactly like English, but some pronouns are gender-neutral in form, and “it” is expressed through grammatical gender.
Understanding Gender Pronouns in Arabic From Basics to Advanced Mastery
If you want to truly understand how gender pronouns like “she/her” are expressed in Arabic, along with how they change across different grammatical contexts and sentence structures, this is exactly the kind of depth you will gain through advanced study of the language.
The Advanced Arabic Course at The Arabic Learning Centre is designed for learners who are ready to move beyond basic communication and into real linguistic mastery. You won’t just learn rules—you’ll learn how Arabic works at a deeper level, including complex grammar, refined vocabulary, and the structures used in academic, literary, and professional texts.
Join the Advanced Arabic Course at The Arabic Learning Centre to strengthen your command of Arabic grammar.
Characteristics Of Arabic Gender Pronouns
Before looking at each feature separately, it is important to understand that Arabic pronouns follow a clear grammatical system. Their form changes depending on gender, number, and how they are used in the sentence.
1. Arabic Pronouns Change By Gender
Arabic clearly distinguishes between masculine and feminine forms, especially in the second and third person.
Examples:
أنتَ = you masculine
أنتِ = you feminine
هو = he
هي = she
هم = they masculine or mixed
هنَّ = they feminine
2. Arabic Pronouns Change By Number
Arabic has singular, dual, and plural.
| Number | Meaning | Example |
| Singular | One person | هي |
| Dual | Two people | هما |
| Plural | Three or more | هنَّ |
This is different from English, which does not have a full dual pronoun system.
3. Pronouns Affect Verbs
Arabic verbs often change based on the pronoun.
Examples:
هو كتبَ.
Huwa kataba.
He wrote.
هي كتبتْ.
Hiya katabat.
She wrote.
أنتَ كتبتَ.
Anta katabta.
You wrote, masculine.
أنتِ كتبتِ.
Anti katabti.
You wrote, feminine.
4. Pronouns Affect Adjectives
Adjectives must often match the gender of the noun or pronoun.
Examples:
هو كريم.
Huwa karīm.
He is generous.
هي كريمة.
Hiya karīmah.
She is generous.
5. Pronouns Can Be Hidden In Verbs
This is one of the most important features of usage in Arabic.
In English, we usually say the pronoun clearly:
I write.
She writes.
In Arabic, the verb can include the pronoun meaning.
Examples:
أكتب.
Aktubu.
I write.
نكتب.
Naktubu.
We write.
كتبتُ.
Katabtu.
I wrote.
كتبتْ.
Katabat.
She wrote.
The subject is understood from the verb form.
Function Of Arabic Pronouns
The main function of Arabic pronouns is to replace nouns, avoid repetition, and make the sentence clearer. But in Arabic, pronouns do more than that.
1. They Show Who Is Doing The Action
Example:
هي تكتب.
Hiya taktubu.
She writes.
2. They Show Who Receives The Action
Example:
ساعدتُها.
Sāʿadtuhā.
I helped her.
3. They Show Possession
Example:
هذا بيتها.
Hādhā baytuhā.
This is her house.
4. They Help The Sentence Agree Grammatically
Example:
هي طالبة مجتهدة.
Hiya ṭālibah mujtahidah.
She is a hardworking student.
The pronoun, noun, and adjective all match in feminine form.
5. They Help Learners Understand Quranic And Islamic Arabic
Pronouns appear often in Quranic verses, duas, and Islamic phrases. For example:
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ
Iyyāka naʿbudu.
You alone we worship.
Here, نا in نعبد shows “we,” and إياك refers to “You,” meaning Allah.
Another example:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul huwa Allāhu Aḥad.
Say: He is Allah, One.
Here, هو means “He” and refers to Allah in a way suitable to Arabic expression and Islamic usage.
Comparison Of Arabic Gender Pronouns
Before comparing Arabic gender pronouns, it helps to see how each form changes according to function. The table below shows the closest masculine, feminine, and neutral or shared forms side by side.
| Function | Masculine | Feminine | Neutral / Shared |
| I | أنا | أنا | أنا |
| We | نحن | نحن | نحن |
| You singular | أنتَ | أنتِ | — |
| He / She | هو | هي | — |
| You two | أنتما | أنتما | أنتما |
| They two | هما | هما | هما |
| They plural | هم | هنَّ | هم for mixed groups |
| His / Her | ـهُ | ـها | — |
| Your singular | ـكَ | ـكِ | — |
Important note: in Arabic, a mixed group is usually treated with the masculine plural form.
Example:
هم طلاب.
Hum ṭullāb.
They are students.
This can refer to males or a mixed group.
But for an all-female group:
هنَّ طالبات.
Hunna ṭālibāt.
They are female students.
Read Also: Education Vocabulary In Arabic
Learn Arabic Pronouns With ArabicLearningCentre
Learning Arabic pronouns may feel difficult at first because Arabic uses gender, number, attached forms, detached forms, and hidden pronouns inside verbs. But once you learn the patterns, the system becomes much easier.
At ArabicLearningCentre, students can learn Arabic step by step through clear explanations, guided examples, and practical exercises. Whether your goal is daily Arabic, Quranic Arabic, or stronger grammar, mastering pronouns is one of the first steps toward understanding Arabic sentences correctly.
You do not need to learn everything in one day. Start with the most common forms:
- أنا = I
- أنتَ = you masculine
- أنتِ = you feminine
- هو = he
- هي = she
- ـها = her
- نحن = we
Small, consistent learning makes Arabic easier and helps you understand more when you read, listen, speak, or study the Quran.
Read Also: Possessive Pronouns In Arabic
Master Arabic Pronouns Through Real Practice
Arabic pronouns are not just words to memorize; they are part of how Arabic sentences are built. With The Arabic Learning Centre, you can learn how forms like هي, ـها, أنتِ, and هنَّ work in real Arabic through guided lessons, native Arabic teachers, and structured practice. The course helps you understand gender, number, possession, verb agreement, and sentence patterns in a simple way, so you can move from memorizing pronouns to actually using them with confidence.
Join The Arabic Learning Centre today and start building accurate Arabic grammar from the basics.
Courses We Offer:
- Quranic Arabic Course
- Arabic Course for Islamic Studies
- Learn Arabic for New Muslims
- Learn Arabic Letters for Tajweed
- Al Azhar Arabic Course
- Madinah Arabic Course
Conclusion
So, how do she her pronouns in Arabic work?
The Arabic word for she is هي (hiya), and the most common form for her is ـها (-hā). Arabic female pronouns can be detached, like هي and أنتِ, or attached, like ـها, ـكِ, and ـهنَّ. They can show the subject, the object, possession, or the meaning after a preposition.
Arabic also has clear differences between female pronouns in Arabic and male pronouns in Arabic. These differences affect not only the pronoun itself but also verbs and adjectives. While learners often ask about gender neutral pronouns in Arabic, Arabic does not use a direct equivalent of singular “they” in the same way English does. Instead, Arabic uses grammatical gender, shared first-person pronouns, and some shared dual forms.
Mastering gender pronouns in Arabic helps learners speak more accurately, read better, understand sentence structure, and connect more deeply with Arabic texts, including Quranic and Islamic expressions.
Read Also: Personal Pronouns In Arabic
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Her Pronouns In Arabic?
The Arabic pronoun for she is هي (hiya). The most common Arabic form for her is ـها (-hā), which attaches to verbs, nouns, and prepositions, such as رأيتُها meaning “I saw her” and كتابها meaning “her book.”
What Are Female Pronouns In Arabic?
Common female pronouns in Arabic include هي (hiya) for “she,” أنتِ (anti) for “you feminine,” هنَّ (hunna) for “they feminine,” ـها (-hā) for “her,” and ـكِ (-ki) for “your feminine.”
What Are Male Pronouns In Arabic?
Common male pronouns in Arabic include هو (huwa) for “he,” أنتَ (anta) for “you masculine,” هم (hum) for “they masculine or mixed,” ـهُ (-hu) for “his/him,” and ـكَ (-ka) for “your masculine.”
Are There Gender Neutral Pronouns In Arabic?
Arabic does not have a direct singular “they” like English. However, أنا (ana) meaning “I” and نحن (naḥnu) meaning “we” are gender-neutral in form. Some dual pronouns, such as أنتما and هما, are also shared in form, although verbs and adjectives may still show gender.
How Do Arabic Gender Pronouns Affect Verbs?
Arabic verbs often change according to the pronoun. For example, كتبَ (kataba) means “he wrote,” while كتبتْ (katabat) means “she wrote.” The feminine ending helps show that the subject is female.
What Is The Difference Between هي And ـها?
هي means “she” and stands alone as a subject pronoun. ـها means “her” and attaches to another word. For example, هي تقرأ means “She reads,” while رأيتُها means “I saw her,” and كتابها means “her book.”
Related Articles
Arabic Grammar
Leave a Reply