Written by Dania Ghraoui, translator and language teacher with 10 years of experience.
At a Glance: Arabic numbers can mean the number words, such as واحِد (wāḥid, one), or the digit symbols used to write numbers. Arabic text runs right to left, but the digits inside a number run left to right. For numbers from 21 to 99, Arabic normally says the unit first, then وَ (wa, and), then the ten. So 25 is literally “five and twenty.” This guide gives you a complete 0-100 chart, pronunciation, practical grammar, dialect notes, and a quiz.
Arabic numbers appear everywhere: on prices, addresses, dates, phone numbers, receipts, and road signs. You may need them long before you can hold a full conversation, which makes them one of the most practical parts of Arabic to learn.
At first, the system can seem larger than it really is. There are different digit shapes to recognize, number words to pronounce, and a few grammar rules to understand. But the structure is surprisingly manageable. Once you learn the numbers from 0 to 19 and the main tens, you can build almost every number up to 100.
This guide will walk you through both numeral systems, a complete Arabic numbers 1–100 chart, and the basic rules for using numbers with nouns.
Did You Know?
The numbers we use in English (1, 2, 3) are called "Arabic numerals" but were actually invented in India! In the Arab world, they’re known as "Hindi numbers" (أرقام هندية), while the traditional Arabic script numbers (١, ٢, ٣) are called "Arabic numbers" (أرقام عربية).
What Are Arabic Numbers?
Arabic numbers refer to number words such as ثَلاثة (thalātha, three), or to numerals such as 3 and ٣, which are symbols used to write numerical values.
English-language sources usually call 0, 1, 2, 3 and the rest Western Arabic or Hindu-Arabic numerals. The shapes ٠, ١, ٢, ٣ are commonly called Eastern Arabic, Arabic-Indic, or Hindu numerals. Naming varies, so it is more useful for a learner to recognize both sets than to worry about one “perfect” label.
Western digit | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Arabic digit | ٠ | ١ | ٢ | ٣ | ٤ | ٥ | ٦ | ٧ | ٨ | ٩ |
Arabic script is written from right to left, but a sequence of digits runs from left to right. For example, ١٩٨٤ is still read as 1,984 in the usual place-value order.
The numeral system developed in Indian mathematics and was transmitted and expanded by scholars in the Islamic world. You can read a concise history in Encyclopaedia Britannica’s overview of Hindu-Arabic numerals.
Arabic Numbers 1-100 Chart
The Arabic words below are common MSA counting forms. In a complete sentence, some endings can change because of grammatical case. Spoken dialects also pronounce several numbers differently. Start with recognition and pronunciation first, then use the grammar section when you begin counting objects.
Arabic Numbers 0–20
Number | Eastern Arabic | Pronunciation | Arabic word |
|---|---|---|---|
0 | ٠ | sifr | صِفْر |
1 | ١ | wāḥid | واحِد |
2 | ٢ | ithnān | اِثْنان |
3 | ٣ | thalātha | ثَلاثة |
4 | ٤ | arbaʿa | أَرْبَعة |
5 | ٥ | khamsa | خَمْسة |
6 | ٦ | sitta | سِتَّة |
7 | ٧ | sabʿa | سَبْعة |
8 | ٨ | thamāniya | ثَمانِية |
9 | ٩ | tisʿa | تِسْعة |
10 | ١٠ | ʿashara | عَشَرة |
11 | ١١ | aḥada ʿashar | أَحَدَ عَشَر |
12 | ١٢ | ithnā ʿashar | اِثْنا عَشَر |
13 | ١٣ | thalāthata ʿashar | ثَلاثةَ عَشَر |
14 | ١٤ | arbaʿata ʿashar | أَرْبَعةَ عَشَر |
15 | ١٥ | khamsata ʿashar | خَمْسةَ عَشَر |
16 | ١٦ | sittata ʿashar | سِتَّةَ عَشَر |
17 | ١٧ | sabʿata ʿashar | سَبْعةَ عَشَر |
18 | ١٨ | thamāniyata ʿashar | ثَمانِيةَ عَشَر |
19 | ١٩ | tisʿata ʿashar | تِسْعةَ عَشَر |
20 | ٢٠ | ʿishrūn | عِشْرون |
Arabic Numbers 21–50
Number | Eastern Arabic | Pronunciation | Arabic word |
|---|---|---|---|
21 | ٢١ | wāḥid wa-ʿishrūn | واحِد وَعِشْرون |
22 | ٢٢ | ithnān wa-ʿishrūn | اِثْنان وَعِشْرون |
23 | ٢٣ | thalātha wa-ʿishrūn | ثَلاثة وَعِشْرون |
24 | ٢٤ | arbaʿa wa-ʿishrūn | أَرْبَعة وَعِشْرون |
25 | ٢٥ | khamsa wa-ʿishrūn | خَمْسة وَعِشْرون |
26 | ٢٦ | sitta wa-ʿishrūn | سِتَّة وَعِشْرون |
27 | ٢٧ | sabʿa wa-ʿishrūn | سَبْعة وَعِشْرون |
28 | ٢٨ | thamāniya wa-ʿishrūn | ثَمانِية وَعِشْرون |
29 | ٢٩ | tisʿa wa-ʿishrūn | تِسْعة وَعِشْرون |
30 | ٣٠ | thalāthūn | ثَلاثون |
31 | ٣١ | wāḥid wa-thalāthūn | واحِد وَثَلاثون |
32 | ٣٢ | ithnān wa-thalāthūn | اِثْنان وَثَلاثون |
33 | ٣٣ | thalātha wa-thalāthūn | ثَلاثة وَثَلاثون |
34 | ٣٤ | arbaʿa wa-thalāthūn | أَرْبَعة وَثَلاثون |
35 | ٣٥ | khamsa wa-thalāthūn | خَمْسة وَثَلاثون |
36 | ٣٦ | sitta wa-thalāthūn | سِتَّة وَثَلاثون |
37 | ٣٧ | sabʿa wa-thalāthūn | سَبْعة وَثَلاثون |
38 | ٣٨ | thamāniya wa-thalāthūn | ثَمانِية وَثَلاثون |
39 | ٣٩ | tisʿa wa-thalāthūn | تِسْعة وَثَلاثون |
40 | ٤٠ | arbaʿūn | أَرْبَعون |
41 | ٤١ | wāḥid wa-arbaʿūn | واحِد وَأَرْبَعون |
42 | ٤٢ | ithnān wa-arbaʿūn | اِثْنان وَأَرْبَعون |
43 | ٤٣ | thalātha wa-arbaʿūn | ثَلاثة وَأَرْبَعون |
44 | ٤٤ | arbaʿa wa-arbaʿūn | أَرْبَعة وَأَرْبَعون |
45 | ٤٥ | khamsa wa-arbaʿūn | خَمْسة وَأَرْبَعون |
46 | ٤٦ | sitta wa-arbaʿūn | سِتَّة وَأَرْبَعون |
47 | ٤٧ | sabʿa wa-arbaʿūn | سَبْعة وَأَرْبَعون |
48 | ٤٨ | thamāniya wa-arbaʿūn | ثَمانِية وَأَرْبَعون |
49 | ٤٩ | tisʿa wa-arbaʿūn | تِسْعة وَأَرْبَعون |
50 | ٥٠ | khamsūn | خَمْسون |
Arabic Numbers 51–80
Number | Eastern Arabic | Pronunciation | Arabic word |
|---|---|---|---|
51 | ٥١ | wāḥid wa-khamsūn | واحِد وَخَمْسون |
52 | ٥٢ | ithnān wa-khamsūn | اِثْنان وَخَمْسون |
53 | ٥٣ | thalātha wa-khamsūn | ثَلاثة وَخَمْسون |
54 | ٥٤ | arbaʿa wa-khamsūn | أَرْبَعة وَخَمْسون |
55 | ٥٥ | khamsa wa-khamsūn | خَمْسة وَخَمْسون |
56 | ٥٦ | sitta wa-khamsūn | سِتَّة وَخَمْسون |
57 | ٥٧ | sabʿa wa-khamsūn | سَبْعة وَخَمْسون |
58 | ٥٨ | thamāniya wa-khamsūn | ثَمانِية وَخَمْسون |
59 | ٥٩ | tisʿa wa-khamsūn | تِسْعة وَخَمْسون |
60 | ٦٠ | sittūn | سِتّون |
61 | ٦١ | wāḥid wa-sittūn | واحِد وَسِتّون |
62 | ٦٢ | ithnān wa-sittūn | اِثْنان وَسِتّون |
63 | ٦٣ | thalātha wa-sittūn | ثَلاثة وَسِتّون |
64 | ٦٤ | arbaʿa wa-sittūn | أَرْبَعة وَسِتّون |
65 | ٦٥ | khamsa wa-sittūn | خَمْسة وَسِتّون |
66 | ٦٦ | sitta wa-sittūn | سِتَّة وَسِتّون |
67 | ٦٧ | sabʿa wa-sittūn | سَبْعة وَسِتّون |
68 | ٦٨ | thamāniya wa-sittūn | ثَمانِية وَسِتّون |
69 | ٦٩ | tisʿa wa-sittūn | تِسْعة وَسِتّون |
70 | ٧٠ | sabʿūn | سَبْعون |
71 | ٧١ | wāḥid wa-sabʿūn | واحِد وَسَبْعون |
72 | ٧٢ | ithnān wa-sabʿūn | اِثْنان وَسَبْعون |
73 | ٧٣ | thalātha wa-sabʿūn | ثَلاثة وَسَبْعون |
74 | ٧٤ | arbaʿa wa-sabʿūn | أَرْبَعة وَسَبْعون |
75 | ٧٥ | khamsa wa-sabʿūn | خَمْسة وَسَبْعون |
76 | ٧٦ | sitta wa-sabʿūn | سِتَّة وَسَبْعون |
77 | ٧٧ | sabʿa wa-sabʿūn | سَبْعة وَسَبْعون |
78 | ٧٨ | thamāniya wa-sabʿūn | ثَمانِية وَسَبْعون |
79 | ٧٩ | tisʿa wa-sabʿūn | تِسْعة وَسَبْعون |
80 | ٨٠ | thamānūn | ثَمانون |
Arabic Numbers 81-100
Number | Eastern Arabic | Pronunciation | Arabic word |
|---|---|---|---|
81 | ٨١ | wāḥid wa-thamānūn | واحِد وَثَمانون |
82 | ٨٢ | ithnān wa-thamānūn | اِثْنان وَثَمانون |
83 | ٨٣ | thalātha wa-thamānūn | ثَلاثة وَثَمانون |
84 | ٨٤ | arbaʿa wa-thamānūn | أَرْبَعة وَثَمانون |
85 | ٨٥ | khamsa wa-thamānūn | خَمْسة وَثَمانون |
86 | ٨٦ | sitta wa-thamānūn | سِتَّة وَثَمانون |
87 | ٨٧ | sabʿa wa-thamānūn | سَبْعة وَثَمانون |
88 | ٨٨ | thamāniya wa-thamānūn | ثَمانِية وَثَمانون |
89 | ٨٩ | tisʿa wa-thamānūn | تِسْعة وَثَمانون |
90 | ٩٠ | tisʿūn | تِسْعون |
91 | ٩١ | wāḥid wa-tisʿūn | واحِد وَتِسْعون |
92 | ٩٢ | ithnān wa-tisʿūn | اِثْنان وَتِسْعون |
93 | ٩٣ | thalātha wa-tisʿūn | ثَلاثة وَتِسْعون |
94 | ٩٤ | arbaʿa wa-tisʿūn | أَرْبَعة وَتِسْعون |
95 | ٩٥ | khamsa wa-tisʿūn | خَمْسة وَتِسْعون |
96 | ٩٦ | sitta wa-tisʿūn | سِتَّة وَتِسْعون |
97 | ٩٧ | sabʿa wa-tisʿūn | سَبْعة وَتِسْعون |
98 | ٩٨ | thamāniya wa-tisʿūn | ثَمانِية وَتِسْعون |
99 | ٩٩ | tisʿa wa-tisʿūn | تِسْعة وَتِسْعون |
100 | ١٠٠ | miʾa | مِئة |
How to Use Arabic Numbers in Daily Life
Arabic numbers are used in daily life, from telling time to shopping. Learning them will help you navigate Arabic-speaking countries with ease.
1. Dates and Calendars
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, uses Arabic numbers. Understanding these numbers is essential for reading dates, especially during religious events like Ramadan, Al-Hajj, or Eid Al-Fitr.
| Meaning | Pronunciation | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
|
Today’s date is 15 Ramadan 1445. |
Al-yawm huwa khamsata ashar Ramadan arba’a wa arba’een wa mi’a |
اليوم هو 15 رمضان 1445 |
2. Prices and Bargaining
When shopping in local markets, prices are often written in Arabic script. Recognizing these numbers can help you negotiate better and avoid misunderstandings.
| Meaning | Pronunciation | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
|
This costs 50 dirhams. |
Hatha bi-khamseen dirhaman |
هذا بخمسين درهماً |
|
Can you lower the price to 40 dirhams? |
Hal yumkinuk takhfeed al-si’r ila arba’een dirhaman? |
هل يمكنك تخفيض السعرإلى أربعين درهماً؟”
|
3. Phone Numbers
Arabic numerals are used for phone numbers, so memorizing them is crucial for communication.
| Meaning | Pronunciation | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
|
My phone number is 0555-123-456. |
Raqm hatefi huwa sifr khamsa khamsa khamsa – wahid ithnayn thalatha – arba’a khamsa sitta |
رقم هاتفي هو ٠٥٥٥-١٢٣-٤٥٦ |
4. Telling Time
Knowing how to say the time in Arabic is essential for scheduling and daily activities.
| Meaning | Pronunciation | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
|
It’s 3:30. |
Al-sa’a al-thalaatha wa al-nusf |
الساعة الثالثة والنصف |
|
Let’s meet at 7:45. |
Li Naltaqi ‘ind al-sa’a al-sabi’a wa khams wa arba’een daqiqa |
لنلتقي عند الساعة السابعة وخمس وأربعين دقيقة. |
5. Shopping and Transactions
Whether you’re buying groceries or paying for services, numbers are everywhere. Practicing how to say prices will make your transactions smoother.
| Meaning | Pronunciation | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
|
This shirt costs 75 riyals. |
Hatha al-qamees bi-khamsa wa sab’een riyalan |
هذا القميص بخمسة وسبعين ريالاً. |
|
I’d like to buy 3 kilos of apples. |
Ureed shira’a thalatha kilo ghramat min al-tuffah |
أريد شراء ثلاثة كيلوغرامات من التفاح. |
How to Form Arabic Numbers
Learning the numbers from one to ten is essential to learning the Arabic numbers and how to count in Arabic. They are the foundation that helps us form bigger numbers.
Number
Pronunciation
Writing
1
Wahid
واحد
2
Ithnan
اثنان
3
Thalatha
ثلاثة
4
Arba’a
أربعة
5
Khamsa
خمسة
6
Sitta
ستة
7
Sab’a
سبعة
8
Thamaniya
ثمانية
9
Tis’a
تسعة
10
Ashra
عشرة
11
Ahada ‘ashar
أحد عشر
12
Ithna ‘ashar
اثنا عشر
13
Thalatha-ta ‘ashar
ثلاثة عشر
14
Arba’a-ta ‘ashar
أربعة عشر
15
Khamsa-ta ‘ashar
خمسة عشر
16
Sitta-ta ‘ashar
ستة عشر
17
Sab’a-ta ‘ashar
سبعة عشر
18
Thamaniya-ta ‘ashar
ثمانية عشر
19
Tisʻata ʻashar
تِسعةَ عَشَر
One and Two in Arabic
Numbers one (واحِد) and two (اِثنان) are unique in Arabic because they follow the noun they describe, instead of preceding it like other numbers in Arabic.
One book
Kitābun wāḥid
كِتابٌ واحِد
One apple
Tufāḥatun wāḥidh
تُفاحةٌ واحِدة
They also match the noun in gender, meaning the number is masculine when the noun is masculine and feminine when the noun is feminine.
Two books
Kitābāni ithnān
كِتابانِ اثنان
Two apples
Tufāḥatāni ithnatān
تُفاحَتانِ اثنَتان
Additionally, in some cases, the dual form of a noun inherently expresses the number two, making the explicit use of “اِثنان” unnecessary.
I have a book.
Ladayya kitābun
لَدَيَّ كِتابٌ
I bought two books.
Ishtaraytu kitābayn
اِشتَرَيتُ كِتابَين
Numbers from 3 to 9 in Arabic
Numbers from three (ثِلاثة) to nine (تِسعة) precede the noun and are opposite in gender to it.
Three books
كتاب (M)
Thalāthatu kutubin
ثَلاثَةُ كُتُبٍ
Six apples
تفاحة (F)
Sittu tuffāḥātin
سِتُّ تُفّاحاتٍ
Eight pens
قلم (M)
Thamāniyatu aqlāmin
ثَمانِيةُ أقلامٍ
Five hours
ساعة (F)
Khamsu sāʻātin
خَمسُ ساعاتٍ
Nine cities
مدينة (F)
Tisʻu mudunin
تِسعُ مُدُنٍ
Number 10 in Arabic
Number ten (عشرة) follows the noun and is opposite to it in gender. A masculine noun takes عشرة, while a feminine noun takes عشر. By adding the letter ة to عشر masculine number becomes feminine.
Ten books
كتاب (M)
ʿashratu kutubin
عَشرةُ كُتُب
Ten cars
سيّارة (F)
ʿashru sayyārātin
عَشرُ سَيّارات
Numbers 11 and 12 in Arabic
Numbers eleven (أحد عشر) and twelve (اثنا عشر) follow a two-part construction, and the two parts agree with the noun in gender. The noun remains singular and takes the accusative case.
Eleven books
كتاب (M)
ʾaḥada ʿashar kitāban
أحَدَ عشَر كتابًا
Eleven bags
حقيبة (F)
ʾiḥdā ʿashr ḥaqībatan
إحدى عشرةَ حقيبةً
Twelve chairs
كرسي (M)
ithnā ʿashar kursīyan
اثنا عشَر كُرسيًّا
Twelve cars
سيارة (F)
ithnatā ʿashr sayyāratan
اثنتا عشرةَ سيّارةً
Numbers 13 to 19 in Arabic
Numbers from thirteen (ثلاثة عشر) to nineteen (تسعة عشر) also follow a two-part construction. The first part (3–9) is opposite in gender to the noun, while the second part (عشر) agrees with it in gender. The noun remains singular and in the accusative case.
Fifteen students
طالب (M)
khamsa ʿashar ṭāliban
خَمسةَ عَشر طالِبًا
Fifteen (female) students
طالبة (F)
khams ʿashrata ṭālibatan
خَمس عَشرةَ طالِبةً
How to Form Tens in Arabic
Numbers like twenty (عُشرون) and its multiples (ثلاثون, أربعون, etc.) precede the noun and do not change based on the gender of the noun. The noun remains singular and in the accusative case.
They also have two endings—-oon and -een—to reflect grammatical case. The -oon ending is used in the nominative case (e.g., when the number is the subject of a sentence), while the -een ending is used in the accusative or genitive case (e.g., when the number is the object or follows a preposition).
For example, “Twenty students are in the class” is عُشرونَ طالِبًا, while “I saw twenty students” is رأيتُ عِشرينَ طالِبًا. These variations ensure grammatical precision in Arabic’s case-based system.
Number in English
Arabic Numerals
Pronunciation
Writing
Twenty
٢٠
Ishrun
عشرون
Thirty
٣٠
Thalathun
ثلاثون
Forty
٤٠
Arba’un
أربعون
Fifty
٥٠
Khamsun
خمسون
Sixty
٦٠
Sittun
ستون
Seventy
٧٠
Sab’un
سبعون
Eighty
٨٠
Thamanun
ثمانون
Ninety
٩٠
Tis’un
تسعون
Numbers beyond the tens, like 23, 45, and 66, follow a structured system that combines units (1–9) with tens (20, 30, etc.). This system has clear grammatical rules, which are consistent and easy to apply once understood.
For example, to say 23 in Arabic, the unit (three) ثلاثة comes first, followed by the word “and” (و), and then the ten (twenty). The result is ثلاثةٌ وعِشرون (thalātha wa-ʿishrūn) or “Three and twenty”. If you’re describing objects, the unit must follow the opposite gender rule: a masculine noun takes a feminine unit, and a feminine noun takes a masculine unit.
Twenty-three books
كتاب (M)
thalātha wa-ʿishrūn kitāban
ثَلاثةٌ وعِشرونَ كِتابًا
Twenty-three cars
سيّارة (F)
thalāthun wa-ʿishrūn sayyāratan
ثَلاثٌ وعِشرونَ سيّارةً
How to Form Hundreds in Arabic
Numbers like one hundred (مِئة) and its multiples are consistent regardless of gender. The noun remains singular and in the genitive case when connected with “hundreds” in the construct state.
The problem that many students have is that they have difficulties learning numbers in Arabic. This is basically because they are dealing with each number by itself. This can only make things harder for them.
Number
Pronunciation
Writing
100
Me’a
مئة
200
Me’atan
مئتان
300
Thathme’a
ثلاثمئة
400
Arba’mea
أربعمئة
500
Khamsme’a
خمسمئة
600
Sitme’a
ستمئة
700
Sab’me’a
سبعمئة
800
Thanme’a
ثمانمئة
900
Tis’me’a
تسعمئة
Numbers like one hundred (مِئة) and its multiples are consistent regardless of gender. The noun remains singular and in the genitive case when connected with “hundreds” in the construct state.
One hundred books
كتاب (M)
miʾat kitāb
مِئةُ كِتاب
One hundred cars
سيّارة (F)
miʾat sayyāra
مِئةُ سيّارة
For numbers beyond one hundred, combine the relevant “hundred” with smaller numbers following their respective rules.
Two hundred and three books
كتاب (M)
miʾatān wa-thalātha kutub
مِئتانِ وثَلاثةُ كُتُبٍ
Easy Way to Count in Arabic After 20
From 21 to 99, Arabic places the unit before the ten. Join them with وَ (wa), which means “and.” It may feel reversed at first because English says “twenty-five,” while Arabic says “five and twenty.”
Number | Build it as | Pronunciation | Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|
24 | four + and + twenty | arbaʿa wa-ʿishrūn | أَرْبَعة وَعِشْرون |
58 | eight + and + fifty | thamāniya wa-khamsūn | ثَمانِية وَخَمْسون |
73 | three + and + seventy | thalātha wa-sabʿūn | ثَلاثة وَسَبْعون |
99 | nine + and + ninety | tisʿa wa-tisʿūn | تِسْعة وَتِسْعون |
A simple practice trick is to cover the Arabic column and build random numbers from two pieces. If you know سَبْعة (seven) and أَرْبَعون (forty), you can build 47 as سَبْعة وَأَرْبَعون (sabʿa wa-arbaʿūn).
How Arabic Numbers Work with Nouns
Counting aloud is the easy layer. Counting things adds gender and noun-form rules. You do not need to learn every case ending on day one, but you do need to know that the number can change according to the noun it describes.
What is the counted noun?
The noun that follows or accompanies a number is often called the counted noun or tamyīz. Its singular or plural form and grammatical case depend on the number group.
Number group | Main rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
1 and 2 | Usually follow the noun and agree with its gender. The dual noun often makes “two” unnecessary. | كِتابٌ واحِدٌ | kitābun wāḥidun | one book |
3–10 | Come before the noun, show opposite gender, and take a plural noun. | ثَلاثةُ كُتُبٍ | thalāthatu kutubin | three books |
11 and 12 | Both parts agree with the noun’s gender. The noun is singular. | أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كِتابًا | aḥada ʿashara kitāban | eleven books |
13–19 | The unit shows opposite gender, while the “ten” part agrees. The noun is singular. | خَمْسةَ عَشَرَ كِتابًا | khamsata ʿashara kitāban | fifteen books |
20–90 | The tens do not change for gender. The counted noun is singular. | عِشْرونَ طالِبًا | ʿishrūna ṭāliban | twenty students |
21–99 | The unit follows its own gender rule. The tens stay gender-neutral. The noun is singular. | ثَلاثةٌ وَعِشْرونَ كِتابًا | thalāthatun wa-ʿishrūna kitāban | twenty-three books |
100 | The noun normally follows in the singular genitive. | مِئةُ كِتابٍ | miʾatu kitābin | one hundred books |
The 3–10 pattern is often taught as “gender polarity”: a masculine noun takes the form with ـة, while a feminine noun takes the form without it. The UC Davis Arabic Without Walls grammar note gives a useful beginner explanation of this rule.
Why Do Tens End in -ūn or -īn?
The multiples of ten from 20 to 90 belong to a form that changes with grammatical case. The -ūn ending is used in the nominative, while -īn is used in the accusative and genitive.
This is why you may see both عِشْرون (ʿishrūn) and عِشْرين (ʿishrīn). They are not two different numbers.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Use | Meaning | Pronunciation | Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | Twenty students are in the class. | ʿishrūna ṭāliban fī aṣ-ṣaff. | عِشْرونَ طالِبًا في الصَّفِّ |
Accusative | I saw twenty students. | raʾaytu ʿishrīna ṭāliban. | رَأَيْتُ عِشْرينَ طالِبًا |
After a preposition | I spoke with twenty students. | taḥaddathtu maʿa ʿishrīna ṭāliban. | تَحَدَّثْتُ مَعَ عِشْرينَ طالِبًا |
Do Arabic Numbers Sound Different in Dialects?
Yes. The digit symbols stay the same, but spoken pronunciation changes across regions. MSA gives you a stable form for reading, writing, formal speech, and study. In everyday conversation, you may hear shorter local forms.
Number | Egyptian Arabic | Levantine Arabic | MSA |
|---|---|---|---|
2 | itnēn | اِتنين | tnēn | تْنين | ithnān | اِثْنان |
3 | talāta | تَلاتة | tlāte | تْلاتة | thalātha | ثَلاثة |
8 | tamānya | تَمانْية | tmāne | تْمانة | thamāniya | ثَمانِية |
20 | ʿishrīn | عِشرين | ʿishrīn | عِشرين | ʿishrūn | عِشْرون |
This guide keeps the main chart in MSA so the forms stay consistent. When you listen to real conversations, focus on recognizing the pattern rather than expecting every speaker to pronounce each word exactly like the table.
Where You Will Use Numbers in Arabic
Numbers become easier when you connect them to a real task. Try them in the situations where they naturally appear:
- Time: practice hours and minutes with the AlifBee guide to telling the time in Arabic.
- Dates: read day, month, and year formats in Dates in Arabic.
- Days and order: notice how several weekday names connect with numbers in Days of the Week in Arabic.
- Prices: use amounts and currencies with these phrases for talking about money in Arabic.
- Pronunciation: review difficult sounds such as ʿayn and ḥāʾ in the Arabic Pronunciation Guide.
- Vocabulary practice: build small topic groups rather than memorizing isolated lists with Arabic Vocabulary for Beginners.
A Simple Way to Learn Arabic Numbers 1-100
Do not start by reading the full table again and again. Learn the system in short stages:
- Memorize 0–10 and recognize both digit sets.
- Add 11–19 as a separate group.
- Learn the tens: 20, 30, 40, and so on.
- Build random numbers from a unit + wa + a ten.
- Say your phone number one digit at a time.
- Read prices, dates, room numbers, and times aloud.
- Return to the noun grammar only after the counting pattern feels familiar.
Final word
Arabic numbers aren’t just about counting—they’re a window into the language’s structure and elegance. Whether you’re counting objects, describing quantities, or using numbers in conversation, you now have the tools to do it with confidence and accuracy.
Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find that Arabic numbers feel as natural as your own native numerals.
Great job, and happy learning!
Turn numbers into real conversations. Learn Arabic step by step with AlifBee’s 14-day free trial.
Quick Quiz
Let’s continue reinforcing your knowledge of Arabic numbers with a short quiz.
Make sure to note down your answers and check the results below.
Good luck!
What is the Arabic word for zero?
A. واحد
B. صفر
C. عشرة
D. اثنان
How do you say "four books" in Arabic?
A. أربَعةُ كِتابًا
B. أربَعةُ كُتُبٍ
C. أربَعُ كِتابًا
D. أربَعُ كُتُبٍ
What is the correct translation of "eleven pens"?
A. أحَدَ عَشَرة قَلمًا
B. إحدى عَشرةَ قلمًا
C. أحَدَ عَشَرَ قلمًا
D. إحدى عَشَر قلمًا
How do you say "twenty students" in Arabic?
A. عِشرون طالِبًا
B. عِشرين طالِبًا
C. عِشرون طُلّاب
D. عِشرين طُلّابٍ
Which number is written as ٤٧?
A. ٣٧
B. ٤٧
C. ٧٤
D. ٨٧
How do you build 25 in MSA?
A. ʿishrūn wa-khamsa
B. khamsa wa-ʿishrūn
C. khamsata ʿashar
D. khamsūn wa-ithnān
Which number is written as ٤٧?
A. A different word for twelve
B. The accusative or genitive form of twenty
C. A dialect word for ten
D. The feminine form of twenty
Which number is written as ٤٧?
A. Arabic digit sequences are read right to left
B. Arabic uses only ٠١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩
C. Digit sequences run left to right inside Arabic text
D. Arabic numbers never change with grammar
1. B
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. C
