Understanding Arabic Numerals: A Brief Overview

Have you recently embarked on the journey of learning Arabic? Kudos to you for selecting such a fascinating and unique language! One of the highlights of Arabic is its logical structure and phonetic nature, making it accessible for learners. Additionally, Arabic numbers follow a clear and consistent pattern, further simplifying your learning experience.

The Arab world is home to a rich tapestry of dialects, yet all countries utilize the same numeral system, which is consistently written across the region. Although pronunciation may vary, we’ll explore those differences later in the article. For now, let’s focus on the essential task of recognizing and understanding the numbers.

Learning Arabic numbers 1-100s

Arabic numbers 1-10 

Here is how to write numbers in Arabic 1-10.

What about zero?

Zero in Arabic is ٠) صفر) and is pronounced (Sef•fer)

Did you know that the concept of “zero” was pioneered by an Arab scholar from present-day Iraq? While the Babylonians initially had a symbol for “nothing,” it was Al-Khwarizmi—often called the father of Algebra—who first assigned a mathematical value to zero. His groundbreaking work not only transformed mathematics but also gave rise to the term “algorithm,” derived from his name. This key innovation marked a significant leap forward in the field of mathematics!

You might have observed that while Arabic is written from right to left, the number 10 appears in the same left-to-right orientation as in English. Interestingly, even within Arabic text, numbers are consistently written from left to right, creating a fascinating contrast with the direction of the script.

Arabic numbers 20-90

In English, we transform single-digit numbers into their tens by adding the suffix “ty” (for example, six becomes sixty). Arabic has a similar system for forming tens: simply attach the suffixes “oon” or “een” to the end of the single-digit numbers. This rule makes learning Arabic numbers more straightforward!

The existence of two possible endings for each number in Arabic stems from the language’s grammatical rules. A word’s ending changes based on its role in the sentence, a principle that applies to nearly all plural forms, though there are a few exceptions. If you’re unsure which ending to use, opt for the “een” suffix, as it’s commonly used in spoken Arabic and is grammatically accurate. The “oon” ending is primarily found in written texts.

For example,

In contrast to English, when counting beyond the tens, we mention the single digit before the ten. For instance, to express numbers beyond twenty, we would say:

واحد وعشرين wahed wa eshreen (21), اثنين وعشرين ethnein wa eshreen (22), etc.

In many languages, including some European ones, the number 21 is expressed as “one and twenty,” contrasting with English, which starts with “twenty” followed by “one.” This unique structure applies to all numbers in the tens range, showcasing a different approach to counting.

Remember to include “and” between the digits, just like in the example provided. In spoken language, it’s pronounced as “wa” and is represented by the symbol “و” in writing.

Arabic numbers: the 100s

In Modern Standard Arabic, the number 100 is expressed as مائة (Me•’aa). Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) serves as the foundation for all dialects and is primarily used in writing, rather than in everyday conversation. When speaking Arabic, however, 100 is commonly said as “مية” (meyya). Be careful not to confuse this with “mayya,” which means “water” in spoken Arabic!

When writing or counting in the 100s, the pattern you’d follow is: “hundreds (and) singles (and) tens.”

For instance, the number 124 is expressed in Arabic as مائة وأربعة وعشرين (Meyya wa arba’aa wa eishreen). A direct translation might render it as “hundred and four and twenty.” While some might omit the “and” between the hundreds and the rest of the number, it’s best to include it for clarity and grammatical correctness.

To multiply hundreds, like 300 or 400, simply merge the word for the single digit with the Arabic word for hundred, مائة (Me•’aa). Here’s how to do it:

You’ve likely observed that “two hundred” stands out from the typical number patterns. While it isn’t an irregular number, it adheres to a distinct pluralization rule that sets it apart from others.

Arabic features three forms of numbers: singular, dual, and plural. Unlike English, where the dual form is simply treated as a regular plural, Arabic has a distinct structure for referring to two items. The dual form can end in either the suffixes “an” or “ein,” but we’ll concentrate on “ein” for now, as it is commonly used in spoken Arabic across various dialects.

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Wow, that was quite a bit of information! Let’s take a moment for a quick check-in. Can you figure out how to say 73 and 451 in Arabic? Stay tuned, and I’ll share the answers with you at the end!

Final notes to keep in mind

Arabic numbers Vs. Arabic numerals

During the Middle Ages, Arabs had a deep fascination with numbers, particularly in the realm of geometry. This enthusiasm led them to develop a numeral system that visually represents the angles in various shapes, as illustrated in the image above. Additionally, Arab scholars played a crucial role in elevating the concept of “zero.” They recognized it not only as a symbol for nothingness but also as an embodiment of geometric perfection, representing a shape without angles, like a perfect sphere.

Pronouncing the “TH” sound in Arabic numbers

In the Arabic alphabet, there are two letters represented by the “TH” sound in English: ث and ذ. One of these letters produces a buzzing sound, known as the voiced “TH,” while the other emits just a puff of air, referred to as the unvoiced “TH.” The letter ث, which appears in the Arabic words for three (ثلاثة) and eight (ثمانية), corresponds to the unvoiced “TH” sound, similar to the “TH” in “thumb” or “through.” In contrast, the letter ذ has the buzzing sound akin to that in “there” or “although.” For a clearer understanding of these differences, check out this informative video.

Choosing a dialect to learn

As noted earlier, the Arab world boasts a rich tapestry of dialects. The exciting aspect is that, despite these variations in pronunciation and accent across different countries, all dialects share a common writing system and linguistic foundation.

In Egypt, the number 3, pronounced “thalatha” (ثلاثة), can be easily altered by replacing the “TH” sound with a “T” sound, transforming it to “talata.” This simple adjustment applies to all Arabic numbers containing the letter ث. At LingualNeeds, we can connect you with a native Arabic tutor to help you master the dialect of your choice. Book your first online Arabic lesson today!

To conclude:

Arabic is a language rooted in logic! Once you grasp its structure, you’ll find it much easier to memorize. Here’s a straightforward guide to understanding Arabic numbers from 1 to 100.

Now, remember that little quiz you solved earlier on? Here are the answers:

73 Seventy-three = ٧٣ ثلاثة وسبعين (Thalatha wa sab’een)

451 Four hundred and fifty one = ٤٥١ أربعمائة وواحد وخمسين (Arba’ame’aa wa wahed wa khamseen)

Curious about your performance? If you’re seeking additional support in your Arabic learning journey, explore our comprehensive Learn Arabic Online resources for a variety of practice exercises. Prefer to learn on the move? We’ve also curated a list of the top Arabic learning apps for 2024, perfect for your busy lifestyle. Enjoy your learning adventure!