The Dual

For exactly two people or things Arabic uses the dual. Add ـان (-ān) to the singular; a final ة turns into ت before the ending, giving ـتان (-atān):

• طالب → طالبان (two students)
• غرفة → غرفتان (two rooms)

When the noun is the object of a verb, follows a preposition, or says how long something lasts (ساعتين, for two hours), the ending changes to ـين (-ayn) / ـتين (-atayn):

• اشتريت كتابين (I bought two books)
• تكلمت مع طالبتين (I talked with two students)

Adjectives and verbs that go with the noun are dual as well (كبيرتان, جديدين, يلعبان, تلعبان), and so is the demonstrative in front of it: هذان / هاتان (these two). The article stays in front: الولدان (the two boys).