Independent Pronouns

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn the independent pronouns and use them to make simple sentences.

What are independent pronouns?

Independent pronouns are pronouns that are used alone. They are not attached to nouns, verbs, or prepositions.

Independent pronouns in Darija

English	Darija
I	ana
You — one man	nta
You — one woman	nti
He	huwa
She	hiya
We	нna
You — plural	ntuma
They	huma

Making simple sentences

When an independent pronoun is followed by a noun or an adjective, Darija does not need the verb to be. The meaning of am, is, or are is already understood.

Example 1

ana ustad. — Meaning: I am a teacher. (ana = I, ustad = teacher — there is no separate word for “am”)

Example 2

hiya 3iyana. — Meaning: She is tired. (hiya = she, 3iyana = tired — there is no separate word for “is”)

Transcription reminder

• h — the normal English h sound, as in hello
• н — a deeper sound pronounced in the throat like a loud, rough whisper