Numbers 1-10 in Arabic
الأرقام ١-١٠
Overview
Arabic numbers 1-10 have one of the most famously complex agreement systems in any language. While numbers 1 and 2 agree in gender with the noun they describe, numbers 3-10 exhibit "reverse gender agreement" -- they take the opposite gender of the counted noun. This feature surprises most learners, but it follows consistent rules once you understand the system.
At the A1 level, you need these numbers for basic counting, shopping, telling time, and describing quantities. The counted noun after numbers 3-10 appears in the genitive plural form, adding another layer of complexity. Despite these challenges, the system is entirely rule-based and becomes natural with practice.
Arabic also uses two numeral systems in writing: the Western Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) familiar worldwide, and the Eastern Arabic numerals (١, ٢, ٣) used in many Arabic-speaking countries.
How It Works
Cardinal Numbers 1-10
| Number | Masculine | Feminine | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | واحد (waahid) | واحدة (waahida) | Follows noun, agrees in gender |
| 2 | اثنان (ithnaan) | اثنتان (ithnataan) | Follows noun, agrees in gender |
| 3 | ثلاثة (thalaatha) | ثلاث (thalaath) | Reverse gender: ة with masc. nouns |
| 4 | أربعة (arba'a) | أربع (arba') | Reverse gender |
| 5 | خمسة (khamsa) | خمس (khams) | Reverse gender |
| 6 | ستة (sitta) | ستّ (sitt) | Reverse gender |
| 7 | سبعة (sab'a) | سبع (sab') | Reverse gender |
| 8 | ثمانية (thamaaniya) | ثماني (thamaani) | Reverse gender |
| 9 | تسعة (tis'a) | تسع (tis') | Reverse gender |
| 10 | عشرة ('ashara) | عشر ('ashr) | Reverse gender |
The Reverse Gender Rule (3-10)
| Counted Noun Gender | Number Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine noun (كتب) | Feminine number (with ة) | ثلاثة كتب (three books) |
| Feminine noun (طالبات) | Masculine number (without ة) | ثلاث طالبات (three female students) |
Examples in Context
| Arabic | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كتاب واحد | one book | Number follows noun, agrees |
| كتابان | two books | Dual form, no separate number needed |
| ثلاثة كتب | three books | Reverse gender: ة because كتاب is masc. |
| ثلاث طالبات | three female students | No ة because طالبة is fem. |
| خمسة رجال | five men | Reverse gender |
| سبع بنات | seven girls | No ة for feminine counted noun |
| عشرة أيام | ten days | يوم is masculine |
| أربع ساعات | four hours | ساعة is feminine |
| ستة أشهر | six months | شهر is masculine |
| تسع سنوات | nine years | سنة is feminine |
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ثلاث كتب (no ة for masc. noun) | ثلاثة كتب | Reverse gender: masculine nouns get the feminine number |
| ثلاثة بنات (ة for fem. noun) | ثلاث بنات | Reverse gender: feminine nouns get the masculine number |
| خمسة كتاب (singular after number) | خمسة كتب (plural after 3-10) | Numbers 3-10 require the genitive plural |
| ثلاثة الكتب (number with ال) | ثلاثة كتب or الكتب الثلاثة | Either no ال, or reverse the order with ال on both |
Practice Tips
- Practice the reverse gender rule with common noun pairs until it becomes automatic. Say aloud: ثلاثة كتب, أربعة أقلام (masculine nouns) then ثلاث مدارس, أربع سيارات (feminine nouns).
- Learn the Eastern Arabic numerals (١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩٠) alongside the words, as you will see them on signs, prices, and phone numbers in Arabic-speaking countries.
- Start with numbers in context (prices, ages, times) rather than memorizing them in isolation.
Related Concepts
선행 개념
Noun GenderA1이 개념을 기반으로 한 개념들
다른 A1 개념들
Numbers 1-10 in Arabic와 더 많은 아랍어 문법을 연습하고 싶으신가요? 간격 반복으로 공부할 수 있는 무료 계정을 만들어요.
무료로 시작하기