Demonstrative Pronouns - Ism Isharah: Ba`eed (Dhalika/Tilka)

Refer to the correct noun in the correct context: That.

Masculine
'That' is a pronoun written as ذَلِكَ "Dhalika" in Arabic and is used to indicate masculine nouns.

EXAMPLE:

ذلِكَ حِصَانٌ

Dhalika Hisaanun
"That is a horse"

The second word is the noun (object) being referred to: حِصَانٌ means horse. We know this is a regular masculine noun because it is Marfoo`un = it has a Dhama-taan = a Tanween 'un'.

Feminine
The feminine form تِلْكَ 'Tilka' is used for feminine nouns. Both 'Dhalika' and 'Tilka' are known as a demonstrative pronouns in both English and Arabic: Ism Isharah Ba`eed ( أَسْمَاءُ الإِشَارَةِ الْبَعِيدَةِ.), since they are used to refer to things further away, just like 'Hadha' (this) refers to things that are closer to us.

EXAMPLE:

تِلْكَ مُدَرِّسَةٌ.

Tilka Mudarrisatun
"This is a female teacher"

Note: one sign of femininity in a noun and thus calling for the feminine 'that' is the noun which ends in a 'Taa marbuta' = ت

Read more about the Arabic demonstrative pronoun 'that' from Madina Arabic.

More like this:
- Demonstrative Pronouns: Ism Ishara Qareeb
- `Ilmy Notes of Surah Al-`Alaq
- Surah Fatiha Word Game