7 in Arabic = سبعة (sab'a)

The number 7 in Arabic is pronounced "SAB-ah" (with a glottal stop and stress on the first syllable), written in Arabic script as "سبعة", romanized as "sab'a".

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Sab'a (سبعة) has two syllables: sab-'a

Step by step:

1. "Sab" - Say "SAB" (like "sub" but with "a")
2. "'a" - Say "ah" with a glottal stop before it (ع - 'ayn sound)
3. The 'ayn (ع) is the pharyngeal constriction from deep in throat
4. Put stress on the first syllable: SAB-'a

The 'ayn (ع) sound:

• Made by constricting the pharynx
• Like tightening your throat while saying "ah"
• Same sound as in أربعة (arba'a)
• Imagine a controlled gag reflex

Common mistakes:

• Skipping the 'ayn completely—saying "SAB-a" instead of "SAB-'a"
• Using a glottal stop (hamza) instead of 'ayn
• Stressing the second syllable—it should be SAB-'a, not sab-'A
• Pronouncing it like English "seven"

Regional pronunciation differences:

• Modern Standard Arabic (MSA): SAB-'a (clear 'ayn)
• Egyptian: SAB-'a (maintains 'ayn)
• Levantine: SAB-'a or sab-'a
• Gulf Arabic: SAB-'a (clear 'ayn)
• Maghrebi: SEB-'a or SAB-'a

The Word "Sab'a" (سبعة)

Arabic script: سبعة

• Written right to left
• Four letters: س (sīn) + ب (bā') + ع ('ayn) + ة (tā' marbūṭa)
• Ends with ة (ta marbuta)

Origin: From the Arabic root س-ب-ع (s-b-') relating to "seven"

Gender usage: Following the opposite gender rule (3-10):

• With masculine nouns: use سبعة (sab'a) - with ة ending
• With feminine nouns: use سبع (sab') - without ة ending

Eastern Arabic Numeral

In Arabic script, the numeral for 7 is: ٧

Important note: The Eastern Arabic 7 looks like a "V" or upside-down Western 7:

• Eastern Arabic: ٧ (looks like a "V")
• Western/European: 7

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: واحد، اثنان، ثلاثة، أربعة، خمسة، ستة، سبعة...

Phone numbers:

• 7 = سبعة (sab'a)
• Example: 757 = سبعة-خمسة-سبعة (sab'a-khamsa-sab'a)

Prices:

• 7 riyals = سبعة ريالات (sab'at riyālāt)

Times:

• 7:00 = الساعة السابعة (as-sā'a as-sābi'a) - ordinal "seventh"

Dates:

• The 7th = السابع (as-sābi') - ordinal form

Compound Numbers with 7

17:

• 17 = سبعة عشر (sab'ata 'ashar) - masculine

27, 37, 47, etc.:

• 27 = سبعة وعشرون (sab'a wa-'ishrūn)
• 77 = سبعة وسبعون (sab'a wa-sab'ūn)

Regional Dialect Variations

Egyptian: SAB-'a Levantine: SAB-'a Gulf: SAB-'a (clear 'ayn) Maghrebi: SEB-'a

Common Phrases with 7

سبع مرات (sab' marrāt): Seven times سبعة أيام (sab'at ayyām): Seven days (a week) الأحد (al-aḥad): Sunday (literally "the one," but seventh in some counting systems)

Quick Takeaways

• 7 in Arabic is سبعة (sab'a), pronounced "SAB-ah" with 'ayn (ع)
• The Eastern Arabic numeral is ٧
• The 'ayn is a pharyngeal sound from the throat
• Stress on first syllable: SAB-'a
• OPPOSITE gender rule applies
• Comes from root س-ب-ع

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If you're traveling in Arabic-speaking countries, TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in context.