Arabic Numbers 0 to 9: Complete Guide with Pronunciation

Arabic numbers 0 to 9 are more complex than you might expect. Not only does Arabic have its own numeral system, but there are two distinct styles—Eastern Arabic and Western Arabic—used in different regions.

Arabic Numbers 0-9

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Note: In the Maghreb region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania), numbers are written as 0-9 instead of ٠-٩. However, the pronunciation remains the same across all Arabic-speaking regions.

Pronunciation Guide

Key Sounds

The 'ayn (ع) sound: The apostrophe in arba'a (4) and sab'a (7) represents the 'ayn—a guttural sound produced deep in the throat. English doesn't have this sound.

The "th" sound: In ithnaan (2) and thalaatha (3), the "th" is pronounced like the "th" in "think," not like in "the."

The emphatic sounds: Arabic has emphatic consonants that are pronounced with more tension in the mouth. The "s" in sab'a (7) is slightly different from the regular "s" in sitta (6).

Long vowels: Arabic distinguishes between short and long vowels. In ithnaan, the "aa" is held longer than a single "a" would be.

Stress Patterns

Arabic typically stresses the syllable containing a long vowel or the syllable before a double consonant:

• waahid: First syllable (long "aa")
• ithnaan: Second syllable (long "aa")
• thalaatha: Second syllable (long "aa")
• khamsa: First syllable
• thamaaniya: Third syllable (long "ee")

Reading Direction

Arabic is written right to left, but numbers are written left to right—the same direction as English.

When you see ١٢٣ (one-two-three), you read it as 123, just like in English. The individual digits maintain their left-to-right order even though the surrounding text flows right to left.

Gender Agreement

Arabic numbers have masculine and feminine forms, which change based on what you're counting.

For 1 and 2:

For 3-10: Numbers 3-10 use the opposite gender from what they're counting. If you're counting masculine objects, you use the feminine form of the number, and vice versa.

This concept is counterintuitive for English speakers, but it's consistent throughout Arabic.

Regional Variations

Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, etc.): Use Eastern Arabic numerals. You'll see ١٢٣ for 123.

Egypt and Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine): Use Eastern Arabic numerals. Written forms match the Gulf, though pronunciation may have slight dialectal differences.

North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania): Use Western Arabic numerals. You'll see 123 written exactly as in English.

Pronunciation: While the written forms differ between regions, the spoken words remain largely the same across the Arab world, with minor dialectal variations.

Common Usage

Phone Numbers: Written digit by digit, using whichever numeral system is standard in that country.

• Gulf: ٠١٢٣٤
• North Africa: 01234

Prices: Numbers appear before or after the currency name depending on the country.

• ١٠٠ riyal (100 riyals)
• The spoken form is always the same

Addresses:

• Building numbers use local numeral style
• Floor numbers (3rd floor = الطابق الثالث)

Time:

• Hours and minutes are stated in Arabic
• Digital displays may use either Eastern or Western numerals depending on the device

Writing Arabic Numerals

Eastern Arabic numerals have specific shapes that must be written correctly:

• ٠ (0): Like an English dot
• ١ (1): A vertical line pointing down
• ٢ (2): Like an English "2" rotated
• ٣ (3): Like a reversed "3"
• ٤ (4): Like a backwards "3" with a tail
• ٥ (5): Like a circle or zero
• ٦ (6): Like an English "6" or "7"
• ٧ (7): Like a "V"
• ٨ (8): Like an English "8" or infinity symbol
• ٩ (9): Like an English "9"

Common Mistakes

Confusing Eastern numerals with each other: ٠ (0) and ٥ (5) look similar—one is a dot, the other is a circle.

Reading direction: Remember that individual numbers read left to right even though Arabic text reads right to left.

Gender agreement: Don't forget that numbers 3-10 take the opposite gender of what they're counting.

Pronunciation: The 'ayn sound in arba'a (4) and sab'a (7) requires practice. It's not a pause or glottal stop—it's a distinct consonant.

Quick Takeaways

• Arabic has two numeral systems: Eastern (used in Middle East) and Western (used in North Africa)
• Western Arabic numerals are identical to English 0-9 and are the origin of our "Arabic numerals"
• Numbers are written left to right, even though Arabic text flows right to left
• Numbers 1 and 2 have masculine and feminine forms
• Numbers 3-10 use the opposite gender from what they're counting
• The 'ayn sound in 4 and 7 is unique to Arabic and requires practice
• These nine numbers plus zero form the foundation for all Arabic counting

Master these basics and you'll have the foundation you need for counting in Arabic across the entire Arab world.

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If you're in an Arabic-speaking country and receive a ticket number at a restaurant or government office, TravelNum helps you hear exactly how your number sounds in Arabic—whether it's written in Eastern or Western numerals.