Just like the word "hum" in Urdu, which technically means "we". However, there are people who speak in the first-person using "hum" (we) instead of "mein" (I). For example: Hum kariein ge. (We will do). vs. Mein karoon ga. (I will do). The first phrase can be being spoken by one who is referring to their own self + others, hence saying "hum" (we); or it can be being spoken by an individual who is alone and referring only to their own self by saying "hum" (we). "Hum" is sometimes spoken out of takabur (pride, arrogance) by those who think they are "something" and using the singular version somehow means they are belittling themselves so they must use the plural version. Then, many times it is used by people of status & power (politicians, wealthy people, etc) 'just because'; they don't always mean pride/arrogance by it but rather just how they are taught to speak. Which brings me to my next point, often it is also spoken just because that is the way the person learned to speak, or that is how it is spoken in the area where they are from, or in their family, etc; and in this case this type of person means no takabur or pride by speaking in this manner... that's just how they speak when they're talking 'normally'. Also, from what I have seen, it is often people from India who say "hum", "humein", etc, instead of the singular versions (mein, mujhe, etc) more than Pakistanis do, though I have heard some Pakistanis speak like this as well. This doesn't mean that I'm launching an insult towards Indians (before the "insult police" comes out), rather just a cultural observation (if I can even call it that) which I have personally made throughout my life. I don't know why I just said all that but I did. This is a completely non-scholarly, 100% layman comment so I could be completely wrong: Also, that's why, for us Urdu speakers, it is easier to understand why Allah refers to Himself as "We" often in the Quran. I have seen others asking questions about why Allah is referring to Himself as "We" in the Quran when He is One, but as an Urdu speaker where one sees even a single "person" referring to themself as "we" because they think they have power, status, wealth, etc (not always, there are other 'harmless' reasons also as I mentioned above), then how about The One who is The Only Owner of ALL Majesty and Honor... undoubtedly He can refer to Himself as "We". Allah knows best. EDIT: I didn't even realize which thread I was posting this in and my apologies for posting something so completely unrelated to the OP!