Language/Standard-arabic/Vocabulary/Ordinal-numbers

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Standard Arabic → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and counting in Arabic → Ordinal numbers

In the previous lesson, we learned about cardinal numbers in Arabic, which are used to indicate quantity or the order of things. Now, let's take our understanding of numbers in Arabic to the next level by exploring ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers are used to represent the position or order of objects, people, or events. They are an essential part of everyday communication, so let's dive in and learn how to form and use them in Arabic!

What are ordinal numbers?[edit | edit source]

Ordinal numbers are words or numerals that indicate the position or order of something in a series. For example, "first," "second," "third," and so on. In English, we usually form ordinal numbers by adding the suffix "-th" to cardinal numbers, such as "fourth" or "fifth." Similarly, in Arabic, we have specific rules and patterns to form ordinal numbers.

Forming ordinal numbers in Arabic[edit | edit source]

To form ordinal numbers in Arabic, we use a combination of cardinal numbers and specific patterns. The patterns for forming ordinal numbers in Arabic depend on the gender of the noun being counted and the formality of the context. Let's explore the different patterns for forming ordinal numbers in Arabic.

Pattern 1: Masculine nouns[edit | edit source]

When forming ordinal numbers for masculine nouns, we generally add the suffix "-أَوُّل" ("-awwal") to the cardinal number. Here are a few examples:

  • وَاحِد (waahid) - one
 * الْأَوَّل (al-awwal) - first
  • اثْنَان (ithnaan) - two
 * الثَّانِي (ath-thaani) - second
  • ثَلَاثَة (thalatha) - three
 * الثَّالِث (ath-thaalis) - third
  • أَرْبَعَة (arbaata) - four
 * الرَّابِع (ar-raabi) - fourth
  • خَمْسَة (khamsa) - five
 * الْخَامِس (al-khaamis) - fifth

In some cases, you may need to make slight changes to the cardinal number before adding the suffix. For example:

  • سَتَّة (sittah) - six
 * السَّادِس (as-saadis) - sixth
  • سَبْعَة (sabaa) - seven
 * السَّابِع (as-saabi) - seventh
  • تِسْعَة (tisaa) - nine
 * التَّاسِع (at-taasi) - ninth

Pattern 2: Feminine nouns[edit | edit source]

When forming ordinal numbers for feminine nouns, we generally add the suffix "-أَوْلَى" ("-awla") to the cardinal number. Here are a few examples:

  • وَاحِدَة (waahida) - one
 * الْأُولَى (al-oola) - first
  • اثْنَتَانِ (ithnataan) - two
 * الثَّانِيَة (ath-thaaniyah) - second
  • ثَلَاثَة (thalatha) - three
 * الثَّالِثَة (ath-thaalisah) - third
  • أَرْبَعَة (arbaata) - four
 * الرَّابِعَة (ar-raabiah) - fourth
  • خَمْسَة (khamsa) - five
 * الْخَامِسَة (al-khaamisah) - fifth

Similarly to the masculine pattern, you may need to make slight changes to the cardinal number before adding the suffix for some numbers.

Pattern 3: Dual nouns[edit | edit source]

In Arabic, we have a separate pattern for forming ordinal numbers with dual nouns. The dual form refers to two objects or people. To form ordinal numbers for dual nouns, we add the suffix "-أَوَّيْن" ("-awwayn") to the cardinal number. Here are a few examples:

  • وَاحِدَيْنِ (waahidayn) - two
 * الْأَوَّلَيْنِ (al-awwalayn) - first
  • ثَنْتَيْنِ (thnatain) - two
 * الثَّانِيَيْنِ (ath-thaaniyayn) - second
  • أَرْبَعَتَيْنِ (arbaatayn) - four
 * الرَّابِعَيْنِ (ar-raabiayn) - fourth

Pattern 4: Informal usage[edit | edit source]

In informal contexts, especially in spoken Arabic, we often use the cardinal number itself as an ordinal number. This means that we don't add any specific suffixes or patterns. For example:

  • وَاحِد (waahid) - one
  • اثْنَان (ithnaan) - two
  • ثَلَاثَة (thalatha) - three
  • أَرْبَعَة (arbaata) - four
  • خَمْسَة (khamsa) - five

It's important to note that this informal usage is more common in certain dialects and may vary from region to region.

Using ordinal numbers in Arabic[edit | edit source]

Now that we know how to form ordinal numbers in Arabic, let's explore some common ways to use them in sentences.

Indicating order[edit | edit source]

Ordinal numbers are often used to indicate the order of things or events. For example:

  • أَنَا الثَّانِي فِي الصَّفِ. (Ana ath-thaani fi as-saffi.) - I am the second in line.
  • الْيَوْمُ هُوَ الْعَاشِرُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ. (Al-yawmu huwa al-aashiru min shahri Ramadan.) - Today is the tenth day of Ramadan.

Describing dates[edit | edit source]

Ordinal numbers are commonly used to describe dates in Arabic. For example:

  • الثَّانِي عَشَرُ مِنْ مَايُو (Ath-thaani 'ashar min Mayu) - The twelfth of May
  • الْعَاشِرَةُ صَبَاحًا (Al-'aashiratu sabahan) - Ten o'clock in the morning

Expressing fractions[edit | edit source]

Ordinal numbers can also be used to express fractions in Arabic. For example:

  • ثُلُثُ الْكِتَابِ (Thuluthu al-kitabi) - One-third of the book
  • نِصْفُ الْكَوْبِ (Nisfu al-kaubi) - Half of the cup

Addressing royalty[edit | edit source]

In Arabic, ordinal numbers are used when addressing royalty or high-ranking individuals. For example:

  • صَاحِبُ السَّمَوَاتِ الثَّالِثِ (Saahibu as-samaati ath-thaaliithi) - His Majesty the Third

Practice makes perfect[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to practice forming and using ordinal numbers in Arabic. Here are a few exercises to help you reinforce your learning:

1. Write the ordinal numbers for the following cardinal numbers:

  • وَاحِد (waahid) - ____________
  • ثَلَاثَة (thalatha) - ____________
  • خَمْسَة (khamsa) - ____________
  • سَبْعَة (sabaa) - ____________

2. Use ordinal numbers to complete the following sentences:

  • أَنَا الْـ____________ في العائلة. (Ana al-__________ fi al-'aailah) - I am the ______ in the family.
  • الْـ__________ عَشَرُ مِنْ شَهْرِ يَنَايِر. (Al-__________ 'ashar min shahri Yanayir) - The _______ of January.

3. Describe the following fractions using ordinal numbers:

  • وَاحِدُ ____________ (waahidu ____________) - One ___________
  • ثُلُثُ ____________ (thuluthu ____________) - One ___________

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have now learned how to form and use ordinal numbers in Arabic. You can use ordinal numbers to indicate order, describe dates, express fractions, and even address royalty. Keep practicing and using ordinal numbers in your Arabic conversations to become more fluent and confident in your language skills.

In the next lesson, we will continue our exploration of numbers and counting in Arabic by learning about ordinal numbers. See you there!

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


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


Sources[edit | edit source]



Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



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