numbers 11 to 20 in arabic pronunciation & writing

The numbers 11 to 20 in arabic hold a special place in the language, unveiling a unique system that goes beyond simple counting.

Understanding these numbers is crucial for navigating everyday interactions and unlocking the cultural tapestry woven into Arabic communication.

To learn more about the rest of the numbers from 1 to 100, you can visit this link: Arabic numbers 1 to 100

numbers 11 to 20 in arabic: A Departure from the Norm

Unlike English and many other languages, Arabic employs a distinct system for numbers eleven to nineteen.

Instead of a direct translation from ten (“ʿasharah” (عشرة)), these numbers are formed by combining “ʿasharah” with the previous single digits using the word “fuq” (فوق) meaning “above.”

For example, “hadi ‘ashar” (حاد عشر) means eleven (literally “ten and one”), “ithna ‘ashar” (اثنا عشر) means twelve (“two above ten”), and so on.

This system emphasizes the foundation of ten in Arabic (numbers numbers 11 to 20 in arabic) introduces a complexity absent in other languages.

numbers 11 to 20 in arabic: Gateway to Cultural Nuances

Cultural references often involve specific numbers. Recognizing these numbers allows you to grasp their deeper meaning.

For example, the number forty holds significance in Islam, representing the number of days spent by Moses (Musa) on Mount Sinai.

Similarly, the number thirteen might not be considered unlucky in some Arabic cultures, unlike its association in Western cultures.

numbers 11 to 20 in arabic: Mastering Everyday Communication

From shopping in a market (“urid thalatha ‘ashar kiloghrāmat min al-tuffaḥ” – I want thirteen kilograms of apples)

to discussing bus schedules (“al-autobus yaʾati baʿd arbaʿata ‘ashara daqiqah (الأوتوبيس يأتي بعد أربعة عشر دقيقة)” – The bus comes in fourteen minutes),

these numbers are essential for clear and confident communication in Arabic.

numbers 11 to 20 in arabic: Unlocking Historical Texts

Dates on historical buildings and documents are often written in numerals. Knowing the system for eleven to twenty allows you to decipher these inscriptions, offering a window into the past.

For example, an inscription mentioning the construction of a mosque in “sanat ithnatayn wa arbaʿata ‘ashara” (سنة اثنتين وأربعة عشر) refers to the year 114 in the Hijri calendar.

numbers 11 to 20 in arabic: Learning Beyond Counting

Mastering the numbers eleven to twenty in Arabic is more than just memorizing sequences.

It’s about appreciating the logic and structure of the language, connecting with cultural nuances, and navigating everyday interactions with confidence.

Embrace the journey of learning these numbers, and watch your comprehension of Arabic and its cultural richness expand.

numbers 11 to 20 in arabic: write and pronounce

Understanding the system for numbers eleven to twenty equips you to interpret such cultural references accurately.

number 11 in arabic

The number eleven in Arabic is written as حاد عشر (Ḥādī ʿAshar).

Here’s a breakdown:

• حاد (Ḥādī): This means “ten and”
• عشر (ʿAshar): This means “ten”

So, literally translated, “Hadi ‘Ashar” means “ten and one,” which translates to eleven.

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
hadi ‘ashara	حادي عشر	eleven
hunaka hadi ‘ashara la’iban fi al-fariq	هناك حادي عشر لاعبًا في الفريق	There are eleven players on the team.

number 13 in arabic

The number twelve in Arabic is Ithna ‘Ashar (اثنا عشر). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: اثنا عشر (Ithna ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Ithna (اثنا): Pronounced like “ith” (similar to “with”) followed by “na” (like “nah”).
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is similar to “Hadi ‘Ashar” (eleven). Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).
• Meaning: Literally translates to “two and ten” (اثنان وعشرة (ithnān wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
ithna ‘ashara	اثنا عشر	twelve
ishtarat ithna ‘ashara kitaban jadidan	اشتريت اثنا عشر كتابًا جديدًا	I bought twelve new books.

number 13 in arabic

The number thirteen in Arabic is Thalatha ‘Ashar (ثلاثة عشر). Here’s a breakdown:

• Writing: ثلاثة عشر (Thalatha ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Thalatha (ثلاثة): Pronounced like “tha” (voiceless dental fricative, similar to “th” in “think”) followed by “la” (like “lah”).
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is similar to “Hadi ‘Ashar” (eleven) and “Ithna ‘Ashar” (twelve). Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).
• Meaning: Literally translates to “three and ten” (ثلاثة وعشرة (thalāthah wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
thalatha ‘ashara	ثلاثة عشر	thirteen
ḥajazt ghurfah fi al-fundiq li-thalatha ‘ashara yawman	حجزت غرفة في الفندق لثلاثة عشر يوما	I booked a room at the hotel for thirteen days.

number 14 in arabic

The number fourteen in Arabic is Arbaʿah ‘Ashar (أربعة عشر). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: أربعة عشر (Arbaʿah ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Arbaʿah (أربعة): Pronounced like “ar” (like “art”) followed by “ba” (like “ba” in “bat”) and a guttural sound represented by the letter “ʿayn” (ع). This sound is similar to the French “r” in “heure.”
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is similar to “Hadi ‘Ashar” (eleven), “Ithna ‘Ashar” (twelve), and “Thalatha ‘Ashar” (thirteen). Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).

Meaning: Literally translates to “four and ten” (أربعة وعشرة (arbaʿah wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
Arbaʿah ‘Ashar	أربعة عشر	fourteen
yughliq al-mutijarr abwabho fi al-saaʿah al-raabiʿah ‘ashara	يغلق المتجر أبوابه في الساعة الرابعة عشرة	The store closes its doors at fourteen o’clock _ 2:00 PM.

number 15 in arabic

The number fifteen in Arabic is Khamsat ‘Ashar (خمسة عشر). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: خمسة عشر (Khamsat ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Khamsat (خمسة): Pronounced like “kha” (voiceless uvular fricative, a deep guttural sound) followed by “msa” (like “mus” in “museum”).
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is similar to other numbers eleven through fourteen. Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).

Meaning: Literally translates to “five and ten” (خمسة وعشرة (khamsah wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
khamsat ‘ashara	خمسة عشر	fifteen
hunaka khamsat ‘ashara raakiban ‘ala matn al-hafilah	هناك خمسة عشر راكبا على متن الحافلة	There are fifteen passengers on the bus.

number 16 in arabic

The number sixteen in Arabic is Sittah ‘Ashar (ستة عشر). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: ستة عشر (Sittah ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Sittah (ستة): Pronounced like “sit” (like “sit”) followed by “ta” (like “tuh”).
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is similar to other numbers eleven through fifteen. Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).

Meaning: Literally translates to “six and ten” (ستة وعشرة (sittah wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
sittah ‘ashara	ستة عشر	sixteen
lidi sittah ‘ashara qamiṣan abyad	لدي ستة عشر قميصا أبيض	I have sixteen white shirts.

number 17 in arabic

The number seventeen in Arabic is Sabʿah ‘Ashar (سبعة عشر). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: سبعة عشر (Sabʿah ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Sabʿah (سبعة): Pronounced like “sab” (similar to “sup” without the “p”) followed by “aa” (like “ah” in “father”).
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is similar to other numbers eleven through sixteen. Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).

Meaning: Literally translates to “seven and ten” (سبعة وعشرة (sabʿah wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
sabʿah ‘ashara	سبعة عشر	seventeen
yaḥtāj ṭiflī ilā qirāʾat sabʿah ‘ashara ṣafaḥah hadha al-usbo’oa	يحتاج طفلي إلى قراءة سبعة عشر صفحة هذا الأسبوع	My child needs to read seventeen pages this week.

number 18 in arabic

The number eighteen in Arabic is Thamāniya ‘Ashar (ثمانية عشر). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: ثمانية عشر (Thamāniya ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Thamāniya (ثمانية): Pronounced like “tha” (voiceless dental fricative, similar to “th” in “think”) followed by “ma” (like “ma” in “man”) and “nya” (like “nia” in “canyon”).
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is similar to other numbers eleven through seventeen. Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).

Meaning: Literally translates to “eight and ten” (ثمانية وعشرة (thamāniya wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
thamāniya ‘ashara	ثمانية عشر	eighteen minutes
sa-asol ila al-manzil baʿd thamāniya ‘ashara daqiqah	سأصل إلى المنزل بعد ثمانية عشر دقيقة	I will arrive home in eighteen minutes.

number 19 in arabic

The number nineteen in Arabic is Tisʿah ‘Ashar (تسعة عشر). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: تسعة عشر (Tisʿah ‘Ashar)

Pronunciation

• Tisʿah (تسعة): Pronounced like “tis” (similar to “tiss” in “tissue”) followed by “aa” (like “ah” in “father”). The ending “ʿah” (ع) creates a guttural sound not present in English.
• ‘Ashar (عشر): This part is familiar by now, similar to other numbers eleven through eighteen. Refer to the explanation above for the pronunciation of “ʿAshar” (عشر).

Meaning: Literally translates to “nine and ten” (تسعة وعشرة (tisʿah wa-ʿashara)).

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
tisʿah ‘ashara	تسعة عشر	nineteen
hunaka tisʿah ‘ashara ṭāliban fi al-fasl	هناك تسعة عشر طالبا في الفصل	There are nineteen students in the class.

number 20 in arabic

The number twenty in Arabic is ‘Ishrun (عشرون). Here’s a breakdown for you:

• Writing: عشرون (ʿIshrun)

Pronunciation

• ‘Ishrun (عشرون): Pronounced like “‘ish” (similar to “ish” in “wish”) followed by “run” with a guttural sound represented by the letter “ʿayn” (ع).

Important Note: Unlike numbers eleven to nineteen, twenty (“ʿIshrun”) doesn’t follow the “ten and one” pattern used for those numbers. It has its own unique form.

Pronunciation	Arabic	English
ʿIshrun	عشرون	twenty
yughliq al-mutijarr abwabho fi al-saaʿah al-‘ishrun	يغلق المتجر أبوابه في الساعة العشرون	The store closes its doors at twenty o’clock – 8:00 PM.