أنا
ena
I
The person speaking.
Subject pronouns in Tunisian Arabic
الضمائر الشخصية في التونسي
Start with I, you, he, she, we and they. Learn seven small words that help you talk about yourself and the people around you.
A few words. Your first simple sentences.
A small word. A clear meaning.
Grammar & languageأناenaI
إنتيentiYou · one person
أحناa7naWe
Notice who is speaking, listening or being described.
01 · Start here
Who are we talking about?
A subject pronoun tells us who a sentence is about. I is the speaker, you is the listener, and he, she or they refers to someone we are talking about. We includes the speaker. Learn the words first, then use them in short examples.
02 · Look & say
Arabic · Latin spelling · EnglishMeet the pronouns.
Arabic shows the word. The rose Latin spelling helps you say it. English gives the meaning.
Audio coming soonFor now, read the Latin spelling and practise aloud.
Singular · one person
I · you · he · sheإنتي
enti
You · one person
The person you are speaking to.
هو
houwa
He
A man or boy you are talking about.
هي
hiyya
She
A woman or girl you are talking about.
Plural · more than one person
we · you · theyأحنا
a7na
We
A group that includes you.
إنتوما
intouma
You · more than one
The people you are speaking to.
هوما
houma
They
A group you are talking about.
Pronunciation tip: in a7na, 7 represents the Arabic sound ح. Latin spellings can vary; the recordings will be your pronunciation guide.
03 · Build a sentence
Small words. Real sentences.
Use the pronouns with three forms of one useful word: Tunisian.
A simpler way to say “is”.
In present-tense sentences like these, put the pronoun directly before the nationality word. You don’t add a separate word for am, is or are.
She is Tunisian.
هي تونسية.
Hiyya tounsiya.
تونسي
tounsi
Tunisian · masculine
تونسية
tounsiya
Tunisian · feminine
توانسة
twansa
Tunisian · plural
Talk about yourself
A man speaking
أنا تونسي.
Ena tounsi.
I am Tunisian.
A woman speaking
أنا تونسية.
Ena tounsiya.
I am Tunisian.
Talk about someone
About a man
هو تونسي.
Houwa tounsi.
He is Tunisian.
About a woman
هي تونسية.
Hiyya tounsiya.
She is Tunisian.
Speak to one person
Asking a man
إنتي تونسي؟
Enti tounsi?
Are you Tunisian?
Asking a woman
إنتي تونسية؟
Enti tounsiya?
Are you Tunisian?
Talk with or about a group
Including yourself
أحنا توانسة.
A7na twansa.
We are Tunisian.
Speaking to a group
إنتوما توانسة.
Intouma twansa.
You are Tunisian.
About a group
هوما توانسة.
Houma twansa.
They are Tunisian.
Ask a question: keep the same word order and let your voice rise at the end. Notice that enti stays the same; tounsi or tounsiya matches the person.
04 · Say it together
A little conversation.
Ahmed and Sara are both Tunisian. They ask each other a simple question. Notice how they move from enti to ena.
Your turn: take Ahmed’s or Sara’s part. Read the question, then answer as that character.
- Ahmedto Sara
إنتي تونسية؟
Enti tounsiya?
Are you Tunisian?
- Sarareplying
أنا تونسية.
Ena tounsiya.
I am Tunisian.
- Sarato Ahmed
إنتي تونسي؟
Enti tounsi?
Are you Tunisian?
- Ahmedreplying
أنا تونسي.
Ena tounsi.
I am Tunisian.
05 · A little practice
Who is who?
Choose a pronoun, then try one complete sentence. There’s no timer, and you can try again.
Eight short questions.
Look back at the cards whenever you need a reminder.
Look back at the cards whenever you need a reminder.
06 · Take it with you
Your little lesson review.
Cover the English column. Can you remember who each pronoun refers to?
| Arabic | Latin spelling | English |
|---|---|---|
| أنا | ena | I |
| إنتي | enti | You · one person |
| هو | houwa | He |
| هي | hiyya | She |
| أحنا | a7na | We |
| إنتوما | intouma | You · more than one |
| هوما | houma | They |
A small step forward.
You know seven pronouns and how to use them in a simple sentence. Check what you can do:
Explore more free lessonsOne last try: talk about Ahmed, Sara, then both together. Say the sentence for “he”, “she”, then “they”.