One of the first things that we want to learn when starting to study Arabic is the numbers in Arabic. Especially since they’re essential for counting, paying, asking for the time, or writing down a phone number. We’ll help you get started on your first step to learning Arabic. 1, 2, 3… And we’re off!
Before we get started, you have to remember that Arabic is read from right to left, the opposite of English. With that being said, the numbers are approached entirely differently. Or at least for some numbers, not for all. Let’s see what that means. For Arabic numbers between 11 and 99, or the numbers that are written with two digits (in the 10s and 1s), you’ll read the numbers from right to left. For example, 23 is “three and twenty” (thalaata wa ‘ishruuna) ثَلاثَة و عِشْرُن. But remember, this rule only applies to numbers from 11 to 99. For numbers larger than 100, you start with the 100s and then apply the previous rule (1s followed by 10s). For example, 123 starts with one “hundred,” and then you apply the same rule of reading right to left “three and twenty” (mi’a wa thalaatha wa ‘ishruuna مئة و ثَلاثَة و عِشْرُن). The same applies each time you tack on more numbers. So 1123 would be read as “one thousand, one hundred, three and twenty.” The additional numbers are read left to right but the 10s and 1s will almost always be read “2 and 20” like its own unit. To get started, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the shape and pronunciation of the first numbers here. Let’s start with 1 to 19. Practicing pronunciation is essential, so go ahead and repeat these numbers out loud as you get used to the sounds in Arabic. Use the table below to help you out with the pronunciation of Arabic numbers from 1 to 10 as you start your learning. Now, let’s move on to the numbers 11 to 19. In English, the numbers 11 and 12 are irregular because they don’t follow the typical formula of 1s + teen, like with 17 (seven + teen). Here’s some good news! In Arabic, the only irregular number you need to memorize is 11. From 12 onward, you follow the same rule as in English (1s + teen), or in this case (1s + ashar). Make sure to remember that the 1s place is said first in Arabic. The key to mastering Arabic numbers from 1 to 19 is constant practice. Write them down, say them out loud, and use them in simple sentences. With some patience and perseverance you’ll quickly build competence in using these base numbers. After you master the numbers from 1 to 19, you can take on the rest of the 10s. The Arabic 10s are relatively simple to learn because they follow a recurring pattern that makes them easy to learn. Here are the 10s and their transcription: To make a multiple of 10, you have to add the suffix “oon” to the base number. You’ll be replacing the last syllable of the 1s with the suffix “oon.” This is true for the numbers 30 to 90, while 10 and 20 are irregular. Once you’ve mastered the 10s, you can easily form complex numbers. To do that, you can just start with the 1s, add the conjunction “و” (wa), which means “and,” to connect the numbers, and finish it with the 10s. For example, 33 is “ثلاثون وثلاثة” (thalaatheen wa thalaatha). This formula applies to all numbers from 21 to 99. This allows you to construct a wider variety of numbers than just the 10s and 1s. Reading out a phone number is an exception in Arabic, since each number is read out one by one, from left to right, just like in English. Phone numbers are at least a little easier this way! After you have a good grasp of the Arabic numbers from 1 to 99, it’s time to dive into the 100s. To form the 100s in Arabic, the formula is relatively simple with few exceptions. You start by using the base numbers from 1 to 9, and then add the word “مئة” (mi’a), which means “hundred.” The only two exceptions being 100 and 200. Compare and practice the 10s, 100s, and 1,000 in Arabic with the audio tracks below: In addition to the basic concepts of Arabic numbers from 0 to 1000, there are a couple more points to make note of. If you’re just starting, you don’t need to worry about these rules for now. When starting out, just practice the numbers without context in the form of a list. Just like with many other languages, Arabic adjectives are subject to small changes related to gender and number based on the noun they apply to. When you use a number to describe an object or quantity of something, you have to make sure that it is in agreement with the noun’s gender and number. If you want to say “two books” (كتابان – kitaabaan), then the number “two” (اثنان – ithnaan) has to match the noun in its dual form (used for 2 objects) so that it agrees properly. If you liked this article, you may also like:Which Way Do We Read Arabic Numbers?
From 1 to 19
Numbers Arabic Pronunciation
1 waahid / واحد
2 ithnaan / اثنان
3 thalaathah / ثلاثة
4 arba'ah / أربعة
5 khamsah / خمسة
6 sittah / ستة
7 sab'ah / سبعة
8 thamaaniyah / ثمانية
9 tis'ah / تسعة
10 'asharah / عشرة
The 10s
How do you read phone numbers?
The 100s
Arabic Pronunciation
10 'asharah / عشرة
100 mi'a / مئة
1000 'alf / ألف
Agreement of Arabic adjectives and numbers
Agreement with Number and Gender
For More Information
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