1. Definition

When, in Arabic, we want to talk about two things, we use a special form of the plural called the “dual”.

2. Forming dual of a noun

To form the dual of a noun, the suffix “aan” is added to it.

One

Listen

Dual

Listen

Cup

koo b

كُوبْ

Two Cups

koo b + aan= koo baa n

كُوبْ + ان= كُوبَانْ

Whale

Hoo t

حُوتْ

Two whales

Hoo t + aan= Hoo taa n

حُوتْ+ ان= حُوتَانْ

Happy

sa 9ii da h

سَعِيْدَةْ

Two happy girls

sa 9ii da h + aan=
sa 9ii da taa n

سَعِيْدَةْ + ان =سَعِيْدَتَانْ

Exercise

Form dual of the following nouns:

wife
za w j

worker (f.)
9aa mi la h

watch
saa 9a h

زَوْج

عَامِلَةْ

سَاعَةْ