ARABIC NUMBERS: TIME TO COUNT IN ARABIC

Arabic numbers are one of the most challenging things for Arabic learners. To learn Arabic numbers in Arabic language could be difficult, but they are very essential when it comes to the aspect of mastering the language.

It is not easy for the student of Arabic Language to internalize the rules for a new number system to the extent where the student will be able to hear and understand the numbers being spoken to him/her. Besides that, if the numbers are relatively complex, it takes even more time to produce numbers when demanded.

Therefore, it is important to never shy away from practicing the numbers, whenever and wherever you can. When you start your journey of learning basic Arabic numbers, lessons such as this are a good place to begin with. The first step you need to take is to develop the understanding of the system as a whole.

Arabic Numbers from 0 to 10

Now, let us start learning the Arabic numbers from 0 to 10. The simplest thing to start with is zero. This is because without zero it would be very hard to get math off the ground at all.

We’re providing the Eastern Arabic numerals here, though on many signs and public notices you will find out the Western Arabic forms (1, 2, 3) that most of the people are already used to. This is particularly true for places such as Pakistan where they use Arabic-derived alphabet but have a large population of English speakers.

Let us continue with counting…

When it comes to Arabic numbers is very important for the student to take into consideration grammar and additional structure rules. The numbers eleven through nineteen are similar in structure to their English counterparts.

Do you find it strange with the order of the digits? There is no mistake here. Normally Arabic digits are written left to write, opposite from the rest of the script. As strange as it may sound, it is actually about to make a little more sense when you see the numbers after twenty.

So you can see, the Arabic speakers read running text right to left, they don’t have to readjust their speech for two digit numbers, as their eyes run into the ones place first, then the tens.

Arabic numbering rules

Now that you’ve had a gist of the most useful numbers, let’s move to the writing rules for the tens, the compound numbers, and why not the hundreds, the thousands and beyond (if possible).

• Digits from zero to nine are specific words, namely sifr (صِفْرٌ) [0], wahid (وَاحِدٌ) [1], ithnan (اِثْنَانِ) [2], thalatha (ثَلَاثَةٌ) [3], arba’a (أَرْبَعٌ) [4], khamsa (خَمْسَةٌ) [5], sitta (سِتَّةٌ) [6], sab’a (سَبْعَةٌ) [7], thamaniya (ثَمَانِيَةٌ) [8], and tis’a (تِسْعَةٌ) [9].
• The tens are based on the root of the digit names, suffixed by un (ون), except for ten: ‘ashra (عَشَرَةٌ) [10], ‘ishrun (عِشْرُونَ) [20], thalathun (ثَلَاثُونَ) [30], arba’un (أَرْبَعُونَ) [40], khamsun (خَمْسُونَ) [50], sittun (سِتُّونَ) [60], sab’un (سَبْعُونَ) [70], thamanun (ثَمَانُونَ) [80], and tis’un (تَسْعَوْنَ) [90].
• From eleven to nineteen, compound numbers are formed by stating the unit, then a form of the word for ten: ahada ‘ashar (إِحْدَى عَشَرٍ) [11], ithna ‘ashar (اِثْنَا عَشَرٌ) [12], thalatha ‘ashar (ثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ) [13], arba’a ‘ashar (أَرْبَعَةَ عَشَرَ) [14], khamsa ‘ashar (خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ) [15], sitta ‘ashar (سِتَّةَ عَشَرَ) [16], sab’a ‘ashar (سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ) [17], thamaniya ‘ashar (ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ) [18], and tis’a ‘ashar (تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ) [19].
• Above twenty-one, compound numbers are formed by stating the unit then the ten, linked with the and word connector (wa-, وَ). Hence we get: thalatha wa-khamsun (ثَلَاثَةُ وَ خَمْسُونَ) [53], sab’a wa-tis’un (سَبْعَةُ وَ تَسْعَوْنَ) [97].
• Hundreds are formed by stating the multiplier digit before the word for hundred, except for one hundred itself: mi’a (مِئَةٌ) [100], ithnan mi’a (مِائَتَانِ) [200], thalatha mi’a (ثَلَاثَةَ مِئَةَ) [300], arba’a mi’a (أَرْبَعَةَ مِئَةَ) [400], khamsa mi’a (خَمْسَةَ مِئَةَ) [500], sitta mi’a (سِتَّةَ مِئَةَ) [600], sab’a mi’a (سَبْعَةَ مِئَةَ) [700], thamaniya mi’a (ثَمَانِيَةَ مِئَةَ) [800], and tis’a mi’a (تِسْعَةَ مِئَةَ) [900].
• The word for thousand is alf (أَلْفٌ). Two thousand is using the dual form of thousand: alfain (أَلْفَيْنِ) [2,000]. Above two thousand, the plural form of thousand is used: thalatha alaaf (ثَلَاثَةُ آلَافٍ) [3,000], arba’a alaaf (أربَعة آلَافٍ) [4,000], khamsa alaaf (خَمْسَةُ أَﻟﺎف) [5,000], sitta alaaf (سِتَّةُ أَﻟﺎف) [6,000], sab’a alaaf (سَبْعَةُ أَﻟﺎف) [7,000], thamaniya alaaf (ثَمَانِيَةُ أَﻟﺎف) [8,000], and tis’a alaaf (ﺗﺴِﻌﺔ أَﻟﺎف ) [9,000].
• The word for million is malioun (مَلِيُوْن) [1 million, 10⁶], and the word for billion is maliâr (مَلِيَار) [1 billion, 10⁹].

Now its time to get to work. Saya Arab is here for you to facilitate you in your journey of learning Arabic language in the simple and easy way, accompany you with highly qualified and experienced tutors.