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ثمانون
thamanun — pronounced with the 'th' sound as in 'the' (voiced dental fricative), followed by 'ah' as in 'father,' then 'mah,' then 'noon' (with a long 'oo' sound). Emphasis falls on the first syllable: THA-mah-noon. The final 'n' (noon) is characteristic of the masculine nominative case ending.
ثمانون (thamanun) is the Arabic word for the number 80, written as an even tens number. It is a masculine plural form that follows specific grammatical rules when used with nouns, and is commonly written in Arabic numerals as 80 or in full Arabic script as ثمانون.
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ثمانون (thamanun) is a masculine plural noun in Arabic that requires specific noun agreement patterns. When used with a counted noun, the number 80 requires that the noun appear in the accusative singular or plural form, not the nominative. Unlike numbers 3-9 which require the plural nominative, and unlike numbers 21-99 ending in 1 or 2, the tens numbers (20, 30, 40, etc.) demand the singular accusative feminine noun form or plural accusative form depending on the noun's gender. The number ثمانون itself does not change for gender agreement with the counted noun, remaining in its masculine form regardless of whether counting masculine or feminine objects. When combined with other numbers (like 81, 82, etc.), the pattern changes: 81 becomes واحد وثمانون (wahid wa-thamanun, literally one and eighty) and requires specific grammatical treatment. In modern written Arabic and formal speech, ثمانون maintains the standard case ending (-un) in nominative position, but changes to ثمانين (thamanin) in genitive or accusative cases.
While 80 holds no specific religious significance in Islamic tradition compared to numbers like 7, 40, or 99, it is encountered frequently in daily Arabic-speaking contexts, particularly in commerce, age references, and administrative matters. The number appears in historical and literary contexts, such as references to the 80 Companions of the Prophet or various historical events counted in groups of eighty. Understanding how to use and conjugate numbers like 80 correctly is essential for conducting business, discussing ages, and engaging in everyday conversation in Arabic-speaking communities.
In Arabic numerology and linguistic tradition, the number 80 is derived from the root ث-م-ن (th-m-n) meaning 'eight,' with the suffix -oon indicating the plural masculine form, making it literally 'the eights' in conceptual terms. The number 80 holds interesting mathematical properties in Arabic classical texts; it was studied by medieval Arabic mathematicians who developed sophisticated counting systems and algorithms still reflected in modern mathematics. Interestingly, in some Arabic dialects and historical texts, counting from 80 onwards can vary regionally, with some Gulf dialects using slightly different numerical expressions, though the formal Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) form ثمانون remains standard across all Arabic-speaking regions.
The Arabic number 80 is written as ثمانون (transliterated as thamanun or thamaneen). In Arabic numerals, it is represented as 80. This number belongs to the tens category and has specific grammatical rules that learners of Arabic must understand to use it correctly in sentences and everyday conversation.
Pronouncing ثمانون correctly is essential for effective communication. The pronunciation breaks down as follows:
Put together: THA-mah-noon, with stress on the first syllable. The word maintains this pronunciation across all Arabic-speaking regions, though some regional variations exist in rapid speech.
Understanding the grammar of ثمانون is crucial because Arabic numbers follow complex agreement patterns that differ significantly from English. Here are the key rules:
Case Endings
When ثمانون appears as the subject of a sentence (nominative case), it takes the ending -ون (oon). In genitive or accusative cases, it changes to ثمانين (thamanin) with the ending -ين (een). For example:
Noun Agreement
Unlike English, where "eighty" remains the same regardless of what is being counted, Arabic requires specific noun forms after the number 80:
Gender Neutrality of the Number
Importantly, ثمانون does not change for gender. Whether counting masculine or feminine nouns, the number itself remains ثمانون. This is different from numbers 1-9, which do change for gender agreement.
The number 80 appears frequently in everyday Arabic contexts:
Age and Time
Quantity and Measurement
Monetary Values
Composite Numbers with 80
When forming numbers like 81, 82, etc., the structure changes:
In these composite numbers, the smaller number comes first, followed by "و" (wa, meaning "and"), then ثمانون.
While ثمانون is the standard form in Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), regional dialects may have slight variations in pronunciation or usage. However, understanding the formal standard ensures comprehension across all Arabic-speaking regions.
Mastering the use of ثمانون (eighty) is essential for any Arabic learner because it demonstrates understanding of how tens numbers function grammatically in Arabic. The key is remembering that the number itself does not change for gender, but the noun that follows must be in the appropriate case form, typically accusative. With practice and attention to the grammatical patterns outlined above, you will develop confidence in using 80 and other tens numbers naturally in Arabic conversation and writing.