Arabic Feminine Cardinal Numbers203

The Arabic language, with its rich history and widespread use, possesses a structured system of numbers. Within this system, feminine cardinal numbers play a significant role in expressing quantities of nouns in their feminine forms. Understanding these feminine cardinal numbers is crucial for accurate communication and proper language usage.

In Arabic, feminine cardinal numbers are used to quantify feminine nouns. These numbers agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify, ensuring grammatical correctness and clarity of expression. The feminine forms of cardinal numbers differ from their masculine counterparts, making it essential to distinguish between them for precise communication.

The following table presents the feminine cardinal numbers from one to ten, along with their transliterations and pronunciations:| Number | Transliteration | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | واحدة | wāḥidah |
| 2 | اثنتان | ithnatān |
| 3 | ثلاث | thalāth |
| 4 | أربع | arbaʻ |
| 5 | خمس | khams |
| 6 | ست | sitt |
| 7 | سبع | sabʻ |
| 8 | ثمان | thamān |
| 9 | تسع | tisʻ |
| 10 | عشر | ʿashr |

When expressing larger numbers, the feminine cardinal numbers follow specific rules. The numbers eleven to nineteen are formed by combining the feminine form of the number ten (عشر) with the appropriate masculine cardinal number. For example, eleven is "إحدى عشرة" (iḥdā ʿashra), and fifteen is "خمس عشرة" (khams ʿashra).

For numbers twenty and above, the feminine cardinal numbers are formed by adding the feminine suffix "-ات" to the masculine cardinal number. For instance, twenty is "عشرون" (ʿishrūn), and thirty is "ثلاثون" (thalāthūn).

The use of feminine cardinal numbers extends beyond simple counting. They are also employed in various grammatical constructions, such as forming ordinal numbers (e.g., الأولى - al-ūlā: first), expressing fractions, and indicating time. Understanding and correctly using these feminine cardinal numbers is essential for effective communication in Arabic.

In summary, feminine cardinal numbers in Arabic are indispensable for quantifying feminine nouns with precision. By adhering to the rules governing their formation and usage, learners and speakers of Arabic can ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in their communication.

2025-02-21

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