Numbers One to Ten

Level 1

Arabic numbers 1–10 are split into two groups: 1–2 follow the noun like adjectives, while 3–10 come before the noun and use 'reverse gender' (masculine numbers for feminine nouns and vice versa).

How It Works

Counting in Arabic follows specific rules that change depending on the number group:

1. Numbers 1 and 2:
These function as adjectives. They follow the noun and must match it in gender, case, and definiteness.

  • Number 2: The noun must be in the dual form. The number itself is declinable, changing its ending based on the case.

2. Numbers 3–10:
These follow Gender Polarity, where the number takes the opposite gender of the noun's singular form:

  • If the singular noun is masculine, the number is feminine (ending in ة).
  • If the singular noun is feminine, the number is masculine (no ة).
  • The Number 8: When the masculine form (ثماني) is used with feminine nouns in an Idafa, it behaves like a defective noun. The final vowel is suppressed in the nominative and genitive cases (e.g., ثماني طالباتٍ), but the Fatha appears clearly in the accusative case (e.g., ثمانيَ طالباتٍ).
  • The Number 10: A unique pronunciation rule applies to the letter Shin (ش). In the feminine form (عَشَرَة), used with masculine nouns, the Shin has a Fatha. In the masculine form (عَشْر), used with feminine nouns, the Shin has a Sukun.

Case and Construction:
The noun following 3–10 is always plural and in the genitive case because it is the second part of an Idafa construction. However, the number itself is fully declinable; it changes its final vowel to match its grammatical role in the sentence.

Examples (6)

  1. كِتابٌ واحِدٌ

    One book

    Word by Word: Book one

    For number 1, the number follows the noun and matches its masculine gender and indefinite status.

  2. كِتابانِ اثنانِ

    Two books

    Word by Word: Two-books two

    For number 2, the noun must be in the dual form, and the number matches it in gender.

  3. ثَلاثَةُ كُتُبٍ

    Three books

    Word by Word: Three (fem.) books (masc. pl.)

    Since 'kitab' is masculine, the number 3 takes the feminine form. Note that the number itself is nominative here as the subject.

  4. رَأَيْتُ ثَلاثَةَ كُتُبٍ

    I saw three books.

    Word by Word: I-saw three books

    The number itself is declinable; here it takes the accusative ending (-a) because it is the direct object, while the noun remains genitive.

  5. عَشَرَةُ طُلابٍ

    Ten students (male)

    Word by Word: Ten students

    In the masculine number 10 (عَشَرَة), the letter Shin takes a Fatha. It takes the feminine form because 'talib' is masculine.

  6. عَشْرُ طالِباتٍ

    Ten students (female)

    Word by Word: Ten students

    In the feminine number 10 (عَشْر), the letter Shin takes a Sukun. It takes the masculine form because 'taliba' is feminine.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a singular noun with the number 2.

    اثنان كِتاب
    كِتابانِ اثنانِ

    In Arabic, the number 2 requires the noun to be in the dual form (ending in -ani or -ayni).

  • Matching the gender of numbers 3–10 to the noun.

    ثَلاثَة سَيّارات
    ثَلاث سَيّارات

    For 3–10, you must use the opposite gender. Since 'sayyara' is feminine, the number must be masculine (ثَلاث).

  • Forgetting to match definiteness for numbers 1 and 2.

    Different Meaningالكِتاب واحِد
    الكِتابُ الواحِدُ

    Numbers 1 and 2 are adjectives. For the phrase 'the one book', the number takes 'Al-' too. الكِتاب واحِد is a complete sentence meaning 'The book is one.'

How It Connects

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Numbers One to TenLevel 1

Learn This First

To learn numbers 1-10, a learner must understand grammatical gender and the feminine ending (ة) because numbers 3-10 use the feminine form for masculine nouns and vice versa. Additionally, since numbers 3-10 require the counted noun to be in the plural, familiarity with plural forms is necessary.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

واحداثنانأربعةخمسةستةسبعةثمانيةتسعةعشرة