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عشرون
Pronounce 'ishrun as: ISH-roon. Start with a glottal stop ('), then 'ish' (like 'wish' without the 'w'), followed by 'roon' (rhyming with 'moon'). The 'sh' sound is like in 'ship', the 'r' is rolled lightly, and stress falls on the second syllable '-roon'. In accusative/genitive cases, it becomes 'ishrin (ISH-reen), where the ending sounds like 'seen' with a rolled 'r'.
The number 20 in Arabic is written as "عشرون" and transliterated as "ishrun" (or "'ishrun"). It belongs to the category of tens (multiples of ten) and is unique in Arabic grammar because it is one of the sound masculine plural numbers, meaning it takes special plural endings that change based on grammatical case. Unlike the complex numbers 11-19, the number 20 follows simpler rules and always takes the noun in the singular, accusative (mansoob) case.
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The number 20 (عشرون) follows the sound masculine plural pattern and changes its ending based on grammatical case: عشرون (ishrun) in the nominative case, عشرين (ishrin) in the accusative and genitive cases. The noun following 20 must always be singular and in the accusative (mansoob) case with tanween, such as عشرون كتاباً (twenty books). Unlike numbers 3-10, there is no gender agreement with 20—it maintains the same form whether counting masculine or feminine nouns. When used in an idafa (possessive construction) or with the definite article ال, the number becomes العشرون (al-ishrun) in nominative or العشرين (al-ishrin) in accusative/genitive. The number 20 is considered a plural noun grammatically, which is why it takes plural verb agreement if it's the subject of a sentence.
In Islamic tradition, the number 20 appears in various contexts, such as the fact that Ramadan fasting is often observed with special emphasis on the last ten nights (nights 20-30), when Muslims seek Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power). The number also has significance in historical Islamic scholarship, as many classical Arabic texts are organized into twenty chapters or sections. In everyday Arab culture, reaching the age of twenty is often seen as a milestone marking full entry into adulthood and serious responsibilities.
The word عشرون (ishrun) is etymologically derived from the root ع-ش-ر (ayn-sheen-ra), which relates to the number ten, with the ون ending indicating it is two tens (a plural). Interestingly, 20 is one of the simplest numbers to use grammatically in Arabic because it doesn't reverse gender agreement like 3-10 do, making it easier for Arabic learners. In traditional Arab mathematics and architecture, the number 20 was often used as a base unit for measurements and calculations, particularly in dividing land or measuring textiles.
The number 20 in Arabic, written as عشرون and transliterated as ishrun (also 'ishrun), is a fundamental number in the Arabic counting system. As one of the multiples of ten, it serves as a building block for counting from 21 to 29 and appears frequently in daily conversation, business transactions, and written texts. Unlike the grammatically complex numbers 11-19, the number 20 follows more predictable patterns that make it somewhat easier for learners to master.
For English speakers learning Arabic, pronouncing عشرون correctly requires attention to several Arabic sounds. The word begins with the letter ع (ayn), which produces a pharyngeal sound from deep in the throat—this is often represented by an apostrophe (') in transliteration. The pronunciation can be broken down as: ISH-roon.
The first syllable "ish" sounds like the end of the English word "wish." The letter ش (sheen) produces a "sh" sound identical to English. The second syllable features the letter ر (ra), which is lightly rolled, followed by the long vowel "oo" (as in "moon") and the letter ن (noon) making an "n" sound. The stress naturally falls on the second syllable: ish-ROON.
When the number appears in accusative or genitive cases, the ending changes to عشرين (ishrin), pronounced ISH-reen, where the final sound rhymes with "seen" but with a rolled 'r'.
One of the most important grammatical features of عشرون is that it declines according to case, following the sound masculine plural pattern. This means the ending changes based on the number's grammatical function in the sentence:
For example:
When using 20 with a noun, the noun must follow specific rules. The counted noun after عشرون always appears in the singular form and takes the accusative case with tanween (the "-an" ending). This is markedly different from English, where we would use the plural form.
Examples:
Unlike Arabic numbers 3-10, which show reverse gender agreement with their nouns, the number 20 does not change form based on the gender of the noun it's counting. Whether you're counting masculine or feminine nouns, عشرون remains the same:
This consistency makes 20 easier to use than many other Arabic numbers.
The number 20 appears frequently in various daily situations throughout the Arab world.
When stating someone's age at twenty years old, Arabs say: عمري عشرون سنة (umri ishrun sanah) - "My age is twenty years." For telling time, twenty minutes is expressed as عشرون دقيقة (ishrun daqiqah).
In commercial transactions, 20 is commonly used with currency: عشرون ديناراً (ishrun dinaran) for twenty dinars, or عشرون دولاراً (ishrun dularan) for twenty dollars. The currency name takes the singular accusative form following the standard rule.
Whether measuring distance, weight, or quantity, the pattern remains consistent: عشرون كيلومتراً (ishrun kilometran) - twenty kilometers, عشرون كيلوغراماً (ishrun kilughraman) - twenty kilograms.
In Islamic tradition, the number 20 holds special significance in the context of Ramadan. The last ten nights of Ramadan (nights 20-30) are particularly blessed, with Muslims intensifying their worship during this period. Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), which is better than a thousand months, falls within these final nights.
The number 20 also appears in various classical Islamic texts and legal rulings. In traditional Islamic inheritance law and jurisprudence, fractions and divisions often involve multiples of 10, including 20. Historical Arabic mathematical texts frequently used 20 as a base for various calculations and geometric constructions.
While this guide focuses on 20 itself, it's worth noting that عشرون serves as the foundation for constructing numbers 21 through 29. These compound numbers place the unit digit first, followed by و (wa, meaning "and"), then عشرون, such as واحد وعشرون (wahid wa-ishrun) for 21, or خمسة وعشرون (khamsah wa-ishrun) for 25.
Learners often make several errors when using 20 in Arabic:
Mastering the number 20 in Arabic provides a solid foundation for understanding Arabic number grammar. Its consistent form across genders, clear case declension pattern, and straightforward noun agreement rules make it an excellent stepping stone for learners. Whether you're discussing age, prices, time, or quantities, عشرون (ishrun) is an essential number that appears throughout daily Arabic communication. By understanding its grammatical rules and practicing its pronunciation, learners can confidently use this number in both spoken and written Arabic.