Keeping track of time is essential in our everyday lives; it helps us stay organized, plan events, and remember important dates.
But can you imagine having to keep up with two calendars at once?
In Arabic, people use two separate calendars: the Gregorian calendar (used worldwide) and the Hijri calendar (also known as the Islamic Calendar).
Learning the Gregorian and Hijri month names helps Arabic learners understand dates in daily life, official documents, and news. It also builds cultural and religious awareness, especially for important occasions like Ramadan, Hajj, and the two Eids.
Understanding Calendars in Arabic
It’s important to understand that there isn’t just one calendar used in Arabic, and that both calendars are equally important in everyday life, but the key difference is when to use each one.
1. Gregorian Calendar
This is the calendar most of the world uses, and it’s used daily for work, birthdays, events, and schedules.
2. Hijri or Islamic Calendar
This calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and it’s mainly used for religious purposes, such as determining Islamic holidays and events like Ramadan and Eids.
So, by understanding both calendars, you’ll know when and why to use each one, which will help you navigate dates, events, holidays, and daily life in Arabic-speaking cultures.
List of Arabic Months in the Gregorian Calendar
Standard Arabic Names of Gregorian months
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
January
yanāyir
يناير
February
fubrāyir
فبراير
March
māris
مارس
April
abrīl
أبريل
May
māyū
مايو
June
yūnyū
يونيو
July
yūlyū
يوليو
August
aghusṭus
أغسطس
September
sibtambir
سبتمبر
October
ʾUktūbar
أُكتوبر
November
Nūfambar
نوفمبر
December
Dīsambar
ديسمبر
These Arabic month names are commonly used in newspapers, official documents, and media.
And while the pronunciation might slightly change from one region to another, it’s important to note that these are MSA names.
However, in other Arab countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, different names are used for the months in Arabic. These Levantine month names are quite distinct from their English translations. (Check our article on Blogs in Arabic for pronunciation audio of these names)
Regional Variations in Arabic Month Names
Although these Arabic month names are part of Modern Standard Arabic and are recognized throughout the Arab world, some countries use different names for Arabic months in everyday speech.
In Levantine countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, people use Levantine-based month names, while in Gulf countries, people stick to the Modern Standard Arabic names we listed above.
It’s also important to note that these differences are more evident in everyday speech than in formal writing.
However, the goal here for learners isn’t to memorize every regional variant but simply to recognize these different names.
Months in the Hijri or Lunar Calendar
What is the Hijri Calendar?
The Hijri calendar, also known as the Islamic calendar, is lunar, meaning it is based on the moon’s cycle.
Each month begins with the sighting of the Moon, and this is why lunar months are shorter than solar months.
Because the Hijri year is 11 days shorter than a solar year, the Hijri months shift earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. For example, a Hijri month like Ramadan could fall in summer one year and then gradually move back until it falls in winter.
Why are the Hijri months important? Most learners will encounter these month names in a religious context, especially during important times like Ramadan, Hajj, Eid al-Adha, or Eid al-Fitr. People use the Hijri calendar to know when to fast and when to perform Hajj.
List of Hijri Months in Arabic
Month Number
Transliteration
Arabic Name
1
Muḥarram
مُحَرَّم
2
Ṣafar
صَفَر
3
Rabīʿ al-awwal
رَبِيع ٱلأوّل
4
Rabīʿ ath-thānī
رَبِيع ٱلثّانِي
5
Jumādā al-awwal
جُمَادَى ٱلأوّل
6
Jumādā ath-thānī
جُمَادَى ٱلثّانِي
7
Rajab
رَجَب
8
Shaʿbān
شَعْبَان
9
Ramaḍān
رَمَضَان
10
Shawwāl
شَوَّال
11
Dhū al-Qaʿdah
ذُو ٱلْقَعْدَة
12
Dhū al-Ḥijjah
ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة
These Arabic month names are commonly used in newspapers, official documents, and media.
And while the pronunciation might slightly change from one region to another, it’s important to note that these are MSA names.
Key Differences between Gregorian and Hijri months
If you’re still a bit confused between the two calendars, here are the key differences:
Solar vs. Lunar
The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar based on Earth’s movement around the sun.
The Hijri calendar is lunar, meaning it’s based on the moon’s cycles.
Fixed vs. Shifting Dates
The Gregorian months are fixed, so they stay in the same seasons every year.
Hijri months move about 11 days earlier each year; therefore, they shift. For example, a Hijri month like Ramadan will fall in different seasons over the years.
Usage Context
The Arabic Gregorian calendar is used for daily life and everyday activities, such as schedules, dates, birthdays, and more.
The Hijri calendar is used for religious occasions such as Ramadan, Hajj, and Eids.
Why Arabic Speakers Use Both Calendars
The Arabic Gregorian calendar is used to keep up with the rest of the world, for practical and official matters in everyday life.
The Hijri calendar is used to determine important Islamic occasions.
And because both are part of daily life, people often switch between them .
How to Pronounce Months in Arabic Correctly
Long vowels and stress
Why Long Vowels Matter?
Because in Arabic, the length of vowels can change how words sound, and sometimes it might change the whole meaning of the word.
In this case, many Arabic months include long vowels, and shortening them will make the pronunciation sound a bit off and unnatural. That’s a common mistake new learners make a lot.
Another common mistake English speakers make is shortening vowels, saying them too quickly, or adding English-style stress to one syllable, whereas Arabic sounds smoother.
Simple Pronunciation Notes
- Whenever you see a long vowel such as ā, ī, or ū, hold the sound a little longer than you do for shorter ones.
- Try to keep the rhythm balanced by avoiding stress on one syllable.
- Listen to native speakers and repeat after them; this type of practice will help you sound more natural.
Difficult Arabic Sounds in Month Names
Some Arabic month names include sounds that may sound unfamiliar to new learners. These sounds are usually pronounced with the tongue slightly pulled back, giving them a deeper quality than their English equivalents.
The good news is you don’t need technical phonetics to handle these emphatic sounds. Instead, try to make them sound stronger and fuller rather than sharper and louder.
With regular listening and enough practice, your ear will naturally start to adapt to them. The key is awareness, not perfection.
Common Mistakes Learners Make with Arabic Months
Mixing Calendars
New learners often assume that Arabic month names automatically refer to the Hijri calendar. However, this is not the case, as Arabic speakers use the Gregorian calendar daily, and the Hijri months are used only for Islamic occasions.
Ignoring Long Vowels
Shortening long vowels will make the pronunciation of the month names sound unnatural and unclear.
Over-English Pronunciation
Applying English stress patterns often makes the pronunciation sound off, as Arabic month names have a smoother rhythm.
Trying to Memorize Everything at Once
A common mistake new learners make is trying to memorize everything at once, which can lead to more confusion.
Using months in Arabic in Real Life
Talking about dates and birthdays
Here are some simple examples:
My birthday is in January.
ʿĪd mīlādī fī Yanāyir.
عيد ميلادي في يناير.
My brother was born in August.
Wulida akhī fī Aghusṭus.
ولد أخي في أغسطس.
Talking about religious events
Hajj takes place in Dhū al-Ḥijjah.
Al-Ḥajj yakūn fī Dhū al-Ḥijjah.
الحج يكون في ذي الحجة.
Eid al-Fitr comes after Ramadan.
ʿĪd al-Fiṭr baʿd Ramaḍān.
عيد الفطر بعد رمضان.
Review Months in Arabic
FAQs About Months in Arabic
No, while modern standard Arabic month names are understood everywhere, some countries use regional variants.
Gregorian months are solar, fixed in the calendar, and used for daily life purposes.
Hijri months are lunar and shift about 11 days earlier each year; they are used for religious purposes.
It depends on context:
Start with Gregorian months for everyday life, and gradually learn the Hijri months for religious and cultural understanding.
The Hijri calendar is based on the lunar cycle, which is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, so each Hijri month moves earlier in the Gregorian calendar.
