In English, there are definite nouns which are usually preceded by 'the' (i.e. the student, the tables) as well as indefinite nouns (i.e. a student, tables). Arabic also has definite and indefinite nouns. The Arabic definite article joins with the word that it precedes.

Nouns preceded by the definite article are definite as well as the names of cities, countries, regions, and people. Nouns without an article are usually indefinite.