Language/Libyan-arabic/Vocabulary/Count-to-10
Hi Libyan Arabic learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to count to 10 in Libyan Arabic. Knowing how to count in a language is essential as numbers are used in our daily lives. Here, we will illustrate each number with some cultural information and interesting facts. 😃
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Say Hello and Greetings in Libyan Arabic, Feelings and Emotions, Colors & Clothes.
The Libyan Arabic Number System[edit | edit source]
The Libyan Arabic number system is based on the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, like in the Western world. However, the pronunciation of the numbers is slightly different from Standard Arabic, and it has some variations from one city to another in Libya, as each region has its own dialect.
Count to 10 in Libyan Arabic[edit | edit source]
Here is how to count to 10 in Libyan Arabic:
| Libyan Arabic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| وَحِدَة | waḥda | One |
| اِثْنَيْن | ithnayn | Two |
| تَلَاتَة | talata | Three |
| أَرْبَعَة | arbaʿa | Four |
| خَمْسَة | khamsa | Five |
| سِتَّة | sitta | Six |
| سَبْعَة | sabʿa | Seven |
| تَمَانْيَة | tamanya | Eight |
| تِسْعَة | tisʿa | Nine |
| عَشْرَة | ʿashra | Ten |
- Person 1: أَنَا عِنْدي وَحِدَة صَدَّقْتْ بَابَا كُلَّ هَلْأَ. (Ana ʿindi waḥda saddaqit baba kulla hal'a.) (I have only one, my father always keeps his promises until now.)
- Person 2: وَأَنَا عِنْدِي تَمَانْيَة! أَنْتَ بِتِحِبِّي الْبِنَاتْ وَلَا الْأَوْلَادْ؟ (Wa'ana ʿindi tamanya! 'Anta bitḥibbi l-banat walla l-awlad?) (I have eight! Do you prefer girls or boys?)
Interesting facts[edit | edit source]
- In Libya, it is common to say "the second" (الثاني al-thani) instead of "two" when we talk about age or other serial positions.
- In Libyan culture, seven is considered a lucky number, and it is believed to symbolize completeness and perfection.
- The word "ashra" for ten is related to the name of the month in which Muslims fast, Ramadan. It comes from "ʿashara saʿa," which means "ten hours," the time during which we should abstain from eating and drinking during the day.
Practice and improve[edit | edit source]
To improve your Libyan Arabic Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎