Understanding the Arabic Counting System

Arabic numbers are integral to everyday communication, commerce, and education in Arabic-speaking countries. Unlike English, Arabic uses distinct words for numbers and a different script for numerals, making it important to familiarize yourself with both.

Arabic Numerals vs. Hindu-Arabic Numerals

It’s essential to distinguish between Arabic numerals (the digits 0-9 used globally) and the Eastern Arabic numerals used in the Arabic script, which appear as:

• ٠ (0)
• ١ (1)
• ٢ (2)
• ٣ (3)
• ٤ (4)
• ٥ (5)
• ٦ (6)
• ٧ (7)
• ٨ (8)
• ٩ (9)

While most Arabic speakers understand both sets, Eastern Arabic numerals are common in printed texts, signage, and official documents in the Arab world.

Counting Basics: Numbers 1 to 10 in Arabic

Learning to count in Arabic starts with the first ten numbers, which form the foundation for constructing larger numbers.

• 1 – واحد (wahid)
• 2 – اثنان (ithnan)
• 3 – ثلاثة (thalatha)
• 4 – أربعة (arba’a)
• 5 – خمسة (khamsa)
• 6 – ستة (sitta)
• 7 – سبعة (sab’a)
• 8 – ثمانية (thamaniya)
• 9 – تسعة (tis’a)
• 10 – عشرة (‘ashara)

Mastering these basic numbers is crucial because they serve as building blocks for more complex numbers.

How to Count Beyond Ten in Arabic

Counting beyond ten in Arabic follows specific grammatical and linguistic patterns that differ from English, involving gender agreements and unique word formations.

Numbers 11 to 19

Numbers from 11 to 19 have unique forms combining the unit number with the word for ten:

• 11 – أحد عشر (ahada ‘ashar)
• 12 – اثنا عشر (ithna ‘ashar)
• 13 – ثلاثة عشر (thalathata ‘ashar)
• 14 – أربعة عشر (arba’ata ‘ashar)
• 15 – خمسة عشر (khamsata ‘ashar)
• 16 – ستة عشر (sittata ‘ashar)
• 17 – سبعة عشر (sab’ata ‘ashar)
• 18 – ثمانية عشر (thamaniyata ‘ashar)
• 19 – تسعة عشر (tis’ata ‘ashar)

Note that the numbers 11 and 12 have masculine and feminine forms, and gender agreement is an important aspect when counting in Arabic.

Multiples of Ten: 20, 30, 40, and Beyond

Multiples of ten are distinct words and frequently used in everyday life:

• 20 – عشرون (ishroon) or عشرين (‘ishreen)
• 30 – ثلاثون (thalathoon)
• 40 – أربعون (arba’oon)
• 50 – خمسون (khamsun)
• 60 – ستون (sittoon)
• 70 – سبعون (sab’oon)
• 80 – ثمانون (thamanoon)
• 90 – تسعون (tis’oon)
• 100 – مائة (mi’a)

These numbers can be combined with units to form complex numbers. For example, 21 is واحد وعشرون (wahid wa ‘ishroon), meaning “one and twenty.”

Gender and Counting in Arabic

One of the most challenging aspects of counting in Arabic is the gender agreement between numbers and the nouns they describe.

Masculine and Feminine Forms of Numbers

Arabic numbers from 3 to 10 have gender-specific forms, and the number’s gender often opposes the noun’s gender it modifies:

• Example: Three boys – ثلاثة أولاد (thalatha awlad) [masculine number]
• Example: Three girls – ثلاث بنات (thalath banat) [feminine number]

For numbers 1 and 2, the number agrees in gender with the noun:

• One boy – ولد واحد (walad wahid)
• One girl – بنت واحدة (bint wahida)

Numbers 11-99 Gender Rules

For numbers 11 to 99, the gender rules vary, but generally, the units digit has the opposite gender to the counted noun, while the tens digit matches the noun’s gender.

Practical Tips for Learning to Count in Arabic

Mastering counting in Arabic requires practice, patience, and the right resources. Here are some effective strategies:

• Use Talkpal: This app provides interactive exercises and native speaker audio to help practice counting in Arabic naturally and effectively.
• Practice with real-life scenarios: Count objects around you, such as fruits, books, or coins, using Arabic numbers.
• Flashcards: Create flashcards with Arabic numbers and their pronunciations to reinforce memory.
• Watch Arabic videos: Educational videos focusing on numbers can enhance listening and comprehension skills.
• Engage with native speakers: Conversing with Arabic speakers helps internalize number usage in everyday contexts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Counting in Arabic

Learning to count in Arabic can be tricky, especially due to gender agreements and unique number forms. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Confusing masculine and feminine forms of numbers.
• Misplacing the order of units and tens when constructing numbers above 20.
• Ignoring the gender rules for numbers 11-99.
• Overlooking pronunciation differences in dialects vs. Modern Standard Arabic.

Conclusion

Counting in Arabic is a rewarding skill that opens doors to deeper cultural understanding and communication. The Arabic counting system, with its unique numerical words, gender rules, and script, presents an interesting challenge for learners. Using resources like Talkpal can significantly enhance your learning experience, making the process engaging and effective. By mastering the basics from 1 to 10, understanding the formation of larger numbers, and practicing gender agreements, you will be well on your way to confidently counting in Arabic in various real-life situations.