Numbers in Arabic can feel intimidating at first. They run right to left, have masculine and feminine forms, and the rules flip between 1-10 and 11-99. But once the pattern clicks, it becomes logical. This guide gets you counting, pricing, and telling time in Saudi Arabic.
Numbers 1 to 10
واحد / وحدة
Wahid / Wahda
1 (masculine / feminine)
Use 'wahda' for feminine nouns (e.g. wahda riyal = one riyal)
اثنين
Ithnain
2
Gulf dialect: 'ithnayn'
ثلاثة
Thalatha
3
أربعة
Arba'a
4
خمسة
Khamsa
5
ستة
Sitta
6
سبعة
Sab'a
7
ثمانية
Thamaniya
8
تسعة
Tis'a
9
عشرة
Ashara
10
Tens: 20, 30, 40...
عشرين
Ishreen
20
ثلاثين
Thalatheen
30
أربعين
Arba'een
40
خمسين
Khamseen
50
مية
Miya
100
Spoken Saudi: 'miya' (formal: mi'a)
ألف
Alf
1,000
مليون
Milyoon
1,000,000
Numbers in Everyday Saudi Life
Knowing numbers unlocks practical situations: shopping, taxi fares, phone numbers, and telling time. Here are phrases that combine numbers with real contexts:
بكم هذا؟ بخمسة وعشرين ريال
Bikam hatha? Bikhamsa w ishreen riyal
How much? 25 riyals
The 'wa' (و) between tens and units means 'and'
الساعة كم؟ الساعة ثلاثة
As-sa'a kam? As-sa'a thalatha
What time is it? It's 3 o'clock
رقم تلفوني...
Raqam tilifoni...
My phone number is...
Saudis often read numbers digit by digit: 'sifr, khamsa, sitta...'
Key rule: In Arabic, numbers 3-10 take the opposite gender to the noun they count. So 'three books' (3 + masculine noun) uses the feminine form of three: ثلاثة كتب. This flipping rule trips up many learners, but in everyday Saudi conversation, people are often relaxed about strict gender agreement in numbers. Don't let it stop you from speaking.
Quick Practice: Prices You Will See
- 5 riyals (قهوة): خمسة ريال, khamsa riyal
- 25 riyals (شاورما): خمسة وعشرين ريال, khamsa w ishreen riyal
- 150 riyals (قميص): مية وخمسين ريال, miya w khamseen riyal
- 1,000 riyals (budget): ألف ريال, alf riyal
Numbers make the most sense in context. The Shopping & Bargaining topic puts them straight into a real souk setting, and our Travel Phrases post shows how numbers work alongside airports, hotels, and restaurant bills. Check both, they build on each other nicely.
Lock in these numbers with interactive flashcards, real Saudi conversations, and a full worksheet. The Numbers & Money topic is designed around exactly these real-life situations.