Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Counting to 10 in Modern Standard Arabic
• Part 2 of 3: Learn more numbers
• Part 3 of 3: Practice the numbers

Different standard forms of Arabic exist in the different parts of the world where Arabic is spoken. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the standardized version that most people learn. It is the official language in more than 20 countries and one of the 6 official languages ​​of the United Nations. If you want to learn how to count to 10 in Arabic, the words are the same regardless of the form. However, if you want to learn bigger numbers, differences will occur.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Counting to 10 in Modern Standard Arabic

1. Start with the words for the numbers 1 through 5. To count to 10 in Arabic, start with the first five digits. Repeat the words until you have memorized them. You can use flashcards to test your memory of the words.
   • One is wahid (waah-hot) (واحد).
   • Two is itnan (ihth-naan) (إثنان).
   • Three is talata (theh-lah-theh) (ثلاثة).
   • Four is arba'a (ahr-uh-bah-ah) (أربع).
   • Five is hamsa (hahm-sah) (خمسة). Note that the h has a throat pronunciation. Imagine exhaling your throat from the back part of your throat as you say it.
2. Continue with the words for the numbers 6 through 10. Once you've mastered the first 5 numbers, you'll be ready for the next 5. Practice them the same way you practiced the first 5, then put all 10 together to count to 10 in Arabic.
   • Six is sitta (siht-tah) (ستة).
   • Seven is sab'a (sehb-uh-ah) (سبعة). Note that this is somewhat like the English word "seven".
   • Eight is tamaniya (theh-mah-nee-yuh) (ثمانية).
   • Nine is tis'a (tihs-anh) (تسعة). Say the last syllable from the back of your throat.
   • Ten is ashra (ahsh-ahr-rah) (عشرة). The r is spoken very briefly.
3. Say sifr (say-fur) (صفر) for "zero."The English word" zero "actually came from the Arabic word" sifr. "The concept of zero originated in India and the Arab world and was transferred to Europe during the Crusades.
   • As in Dutch, the word "zero" is usually not used when reading numbers, unless you read a list of numbers, such as a phone number or credit card number.
4. Learn to recognize Arabic numerals. Numbers used in Western countries are often referred to as "Arabic" numbers. However, the numerals traditionally used in Arabic are actually called Hindu Arabic numerals because they come from India.
   • The Hindu Arabic numerals are 10 symbols or numbers, representing the numbers 0 and 1 through 9: ٩ ٨ ٧ ٦ ٥ ٤ ٣ ٢ ١ ٠. Just like in English, these 10 digits are combined to form other numbers. So 10 would be a 1 and a 0, just like in English: ١٠ (10).
   • Arabic is written and read from right to left. However, Arabic numerals are written and read from left to right, just like you read Dutch and other European languages.

   Tip: In Mashreq countries (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine), Arabic numerals are often used in conjunction with the Western numerals you already know.

   
   

Part 2 of 3: Learn more numbers

1. Add the suffix un to the base digit name to create the tens words. Except for the number 10 (which you already know), all words for tens are made by replacing the last syllable of the word before the first digit with the suffix un. This is very similar to the way most of these words are formed in Dutch, by taking the beginning of the first digit and the suffix FIG to add.
   • Twenty (20) is ishrun. Note that you take the word for two, itnan, removes the last syllable and replaces it with un. The consonants ending the first syllable change when writing the word with the Western alphabet.
   • Thirty (30) is thalathun.
   • Forty (40) is arba'un.
   • Fifty (50) is khamsun.
   • Sixty (60) is sittun.
   • Seventy (70) is sab'un.
   • Eighty (80) is thamanun.
   • Ninety (90) is tis'un.
2. Combine the number with a word shape for ten for 11 through 19. To form the words for digits 11 through 19, start with the word for the second digit in the number, then add the word ashar to.
   • For example, 13 is thalatha ’ashar. A literal translation would be "three and ten". All other numbers from 11 to 19 follow the same formula.
3. Use the tens word with the single digit for 21 through 99. If you want to create compound words for larger numbers, use the word before the last digit, followed by the word before and and wa-. Then add the correct word for the tens place.
   • For example, fifty-three (53) is thalatha wa-khamsun. The literal translation is the same as for numbers 11 to 19. Thalatha wa-khamsun could be literally translated as "fifty-three".
4. Use the word mi'a for numbers in the hundreds. Following a similar formula to the numbers, words for hundreds are formed by the word for 100, mi'a, to be added after the multiplication digit.
   • For instance, thalatha mi'a is 300.

   Tip: Use the same formula you used to form the words for the numbers 21 through 99 to form the words for the numbers in the hundreds.

   
   

Part 3 of 3: Practice the numbers

1. Listen to counting songs to familiarize yourself with the words. There are many free videos, often made for children, that teach you how to count in Arabic. Sometimes a catchy melody is all you need to keep the words right.
   • Watch one of the free videos at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ioZ1fWFK58. The playlist contains several other Arabic count songs, so you can watch different songs until you find one you like.

   Tip: Count songs and videos can also help you practice pronunciation. Sing along or just say the words until you sound like the voice in the video.

2. Download a mobile app to practice counting. Go to the app store on your phone and search for Arabic counting apps or multilingual counting apps (if you want to expand your knowledge beyond Arabic). Many of these apps are available for free.
   • For example, the Polynumial app translates numbers and teaches you how to count. Although the main app contains 50 different languages, there is also a specific version for Arabic. However, this app is only available for iPhones.
3. Repeat all the songs you encounter throughout the day in Arabic. You probably see and use numbers throughout your day without really thinking about it. Stop at any number you see and try to translate it into Arabic. With a little practice, your brain will automatically start thinking about how to say it in Arabic for every number you see.
   • For example, when checking your bank balance, say the number in Arabic. You can also do this with steps, shopping in your basket, the number of minutes until the lunch break or the number of points in a sports match.
4. Try counting flashcards to expand your Arabic vocabulary as you practice numbers. Standard counting flashcards, usually made for small children, have a number of objects on one side and the number on the other. You can also use these types of flashcards to practice Arabic counting.
   • You can buy flashcards online or at an educational store. There are websites where you can download free flashcards to print yourself. Just look for "free telflashcards".
   • Look up the word for the object online and practice the word for the object along with the word for the number.