Language/Standard-arabic/Vocabulary/Months-of-the-year

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Standard Arabic → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Months of the year

In the previous lesson, we learned about the days of the week in Arabic. Now, let's continue expanding our vocabulary by learning the names of the months of the year in Arabic. This will be particularly useful when talking about dates, scheduling events, or simply discussing the passage of time. So, let's dive in and discover the fascinating world of Arabic months!

Basic Vocabulary[edit | edit source]

Let's start by learning the names of the months of the year in Standard Arabic:

Standard Arabic	Pronunciation	English Translation
يَنَايِر	Yanāyir	January
فِبرَايِر	Fibrair	February
مَارِس	Māris	March
أَبْرِيل	Abrīl	April
مَايُو	Māyū	May
يُونِيُو	Yūniyū	June
يُولِيُو	Yūliyū	July
أَغُسْتُ	Aghustu	August
سِبْتَمْبِر	Septambir	September
أُكْتُوبَر	Uktūbar	October
نُوفَمْبِر	Nūvambir	November
دِيسَمْبِر	Disambir	December

Take your time to practice pronouncing the names of the months. Pay attention to the unique sounds and accents that make Arabic a rich and diverse language. Don't worry if it feels challenging at first; with practice, you'll get the hang of it!

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

Arabic months have both historical and cultural significance. The names of the months have evolved over time and are influenced by various factors, including the Arab lunar calendar, Roman and Greek influences, and the Arabization of foreign words.

1. Arab Lunar Calendar: The Arab lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon (hilal). This calendar was widely used in pre-Islamic Arabia and continues to be used for Islamic religious purposes, such as determining the dates of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

2. Roman and Greek Influences: During the Hellenistic period, the Arab world came into contact with Greek and Roman culture. As a result, some of the Arabic month names were influenced by the Latin and Greek names used in those cultures. For example, "يَنَايِر" (Yanāyir) is derived from the Latin word "ianuarius," meaning January.

3. Arabization of Foreign Words: As Arabic-speaking communities interacted with other cultures and adopted foreign terms, some of these words found their way into the Arabic language. For instance, "أَبْرِيل" (Abrīl) is derived from the French word "avril," meaning April.

Understanding the cultural background behind the names of the months can deepen your appreciation for the language and its connections to history and diverse civilizations.

Interesting Facts[edit | edit source]

1. Lunar vs. Solar Calendar: While the Gregorian calendar, used in most parts of the world, is a solar calendar, the Arab lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. This means that the months in the Arab calendar are shorter than in the Gregorian calendar, resulting in a shifting of the months throughout the year.

2. Different Beginnings: In the Gregorian calendar, the year begins on January 1st. However, in the Arab lunar calendar, the year starts with the month of Muharram, which varies each year as it is based on the sighting of the new moon.

3. The Islamic New Year: The Islamic New Year, also known as Ras as-Sanah al-Hijriyah, marks the beginning of the new year in the Arab lunar calendar. It commemorates the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. The Islamic New Year is celebrated on the first day of the month of Muharram.

4. Historical Significance: Some of the months have historical significance in Arab culture. For example, the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Arab lunar calendar, is a holy month of fasting for Muslims worldwide. It is a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion, and worship.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have successfully learned the names of the months of the year in Arabic. This knowledge will greatly enhance your ability to communicate and understand Arabic-speaking cultures. Remember to practice pronouncing the names of the months regularly to improve your language skills.

In the next lesson, we will explore another fascinating aspect of the Arabic language. Stay tuned and keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Standard Arabic Course - 0 to A1[edit source]

Course Presentation

Introduction to Arabic script

Nouns and gender in Arabic

Verbs and conjugation in Arabic

Numbers and counting in Arabic

Everyday Arabic vocabulary

Food and drink vocabulary

Arabic customs and traditions

Arabic music and entertainment

Adjectives in Arabic

Pronouns in Arabic

Prepositions in Arabic

Interrogatives in Arabic

Adverbs in Arabic

Transportation vocabulary

Shopping and money vocabulary

Arabic literature and poetry

Arabic calligraphy and art

Weather vocabulary

Conditional sentences in Arabic

Passive voice in Arabic

Relative clauses in Arabic

Arabic adjectives and nouns

Arabic cinema and TV

Arabic fashion and beauty

Sports and leisure vocabulary

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