Numbers Eleven to Nineteen

Level 2

Numbers 11–19 consist of two parts: the units (1–9) and the ten (10). They are followed by a singular noun with the -an ending (tamyīz). While 11 and 12 show full gender agreement, 13–19 use 'reverse agreement' for the first part.

How It Works

The numbers 11–19 (al-a‘dād al-murakkabah) follow specific rules for gender and case:

1. The Counted Noun (Tamyīz):
Unlike numbers 3–10 which take a plural genitive noun, numbers 11–99 must be followed by a singular, indefinite noun in the accusative case (ending in -an).

2. Gender Agreement:

  • 11 and 12: Both parts of the number agree with the noun's gender. For example, 'eleven stars' uses masculine forms for both 'one' and 'ten'.
  • 13–19: These follow 'reverse agreement' (polarity). The first part (the unit) has the opposite gender of the noun, while the second part (the ten) matches the noun.

3. Case and Vowels (I‘rāb):

  • Numbers 11 and 13–19 are indeclinable (mabnī). Both parts are fixed on a fatḥah (a), regardless of whether the number is the subject or object. Note that for the feminine 'eleven' (إحدى عشرةَ), the fatḥah on the first part (إحدى) is estimated due to the alif maqṣūrah.
  • Number 12 is the exception: the first part (ithnā/ithnatā) declines like the dual, changing to ithnay/ithnatay in the accusative or genitive. Crucially, the 'nūn' (ن) from the original dual endings (ithnāni/ithnatāni) is always dropped when forming the compound number. The second part (عشرَ/عشرةَ) always remains fixed on a fatḥah.
  • Pronunciation: In the masculine 'ten' (‘ashara), the letter shīn has a fatḥah. In the feminine 'ten' (‘ashrata), the shīn has a sukūn.

Examples (5)

  1. رأيتُ أحدَ عشرَ كوكباً.

    I saw eleven stars.

    Word by Word: I-saw one ten star.

    For 11, both parts (aḥada and ‘ashara) match the masculine gender of 'kawkaban'.

  2. في الصفِ إحدى عشرةَ طالبةً.

    In the class are eleven female students.

    Word by Word: In the class one ten student (fem).

    For 11 with a feminine noun, both parts take the feminine form (iḥdā and ‘ashrata).

  3. قرأتُ اثني عشرَ كتاباً.

    I read twelve books.

    Word by Word: I-read two ten book.

    In number 12, the first part 'ithnay' changes to the accusative because it is the object, while '‘ashara' remains fixed.

  4. عندي خمسةَ عشرَ ريالاً.

    I have fifteen Riyals.

    Word by Word: At-me five ten Riyal.

    For 15, the unit (khamsata) is feminine because the noun (riyālan) is masculine. This is reverse agreement.

  5. اشتريتُ سبعَ عشرةَ مجلةً.

    I bought seventeen magazines.

    Word by Word: I-bought seven ten magazine.

    The unit (sab‘a) is masculine because the noun (majallatan) is feminine. The 'ten' part matches the noun.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a plural noun after the number.

    أحدَ عشرَ كتباً
    أحدَ عشرَ كتاباً

    Numbers 11–99 always take a singular noun in the accusative case (tamyīz), not a plural.

  • Applying reverse agreement to 11 and 12.

    إحدى عشرَ ولداً
    أحدَ عشرَ ولداً

    Unlike 13–19, the numbers 11 and 12 must match the gender of the noun in both parts.

  • Changing the ending of 13–19 for case.

    جاءَ خمسةُ عشرُ رجلاً
    جاءَ خمسةَ عشرَ رجلاً

    Compound numbers (except 12) are fixed with fatḥah on both parts, even when they are the subject (nominative).

How It Connects

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Numbers Eleven to NineteenLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn numbers 11-19, you first need a solid grasp of the basic digits 1-10. You must also understand grammatical gender, as these numbers change form based on whether the noun is masculine or feminine. Finally, knowledge of the accusative case (Mansub) is required because the noun following these numbers always takes a specific indefinite accusative ending.

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