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Year
السّنة (al-sanna) is the Arabic word for "year," referring to a period of twelve months or 365 days. It is one of the most commonly used time-related nouns in Arabic and appears in both formal and casual contexts. The word can also refer to an annual cycle or a recurring period of time.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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هذه السّنة جميلة جداً.
Hadhihi al-sanna jameela jiddan.
This year is very beautiful.
سأسافر إلى مصر السّنة القادمة.
Sa-asafir ila Misr al-sanna al-qadima.
I will travel to Egypt next year.
عملت في هذه الشركة لمدة ثلاث سنوات.
Amilt fi hadhihi al-sharika li-muddat thalath sanawat.
I worked at this company for three years.
كم سنة عمرك؟
Kam sana omruk?
How many years old are you?
السّنة الميلادية تبدأ في الأول من يناير.
Al-sanna al-miladiyya tabda fi al-awwal min yanayir.
The calendar year begins on the first of January.
In Arab culture, discussing age and years is very common, especially in formal settings. The Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) and the Gregorian calendar both play important roles in Arab societies, and Arabs frequently reference both when discussing years and dates. Understanding how to use السّنة correctly is essential for discussing personal milestones, work experience, and planning for the future in Arabic-speaking communities.
Remember that السّنة is feminine in Arabic grammar, so adjectives and verbs associated with it must agree in gender. The plural form is سنوات (sanawat). When stating age, Arabs say 'عمري X سنة' (literally 'my age is X years') rather than 'I am X years old.' Pay attention to whether you need the singular سنة or plural سنوات depending on the number you're using.
The word السّنة (al-sanna) is one of the most fundamental time-related nouns in the Arabic language. It literally means "year" and refers to the complete cycle of twelve months or approximately 365 days. Whether you're discussing age, work experience, or planning future events, knowing how to use this word correctly is essential for any Arabic learner.
The word is pronounced "al-sanna" with the emphasis on the first syllable. You'll often see it written with a doubled 'n' (السّنة) in formal Arabic, though the pronunciation remains the same. The doubled letter, called a shadda in Arabic grammar, indicates that the 'n' sound is held slightly longer, but this is subtle and shouldn't confuse English speakers.
One crucial point for English speakers is that السّنة is grammatically feminine in Arabic. This means any adjectives or verbs used with it must agree in gender. For example:
The plural form is سنوات (sanawat), which is used when referring to multiple years. You'll frequently encounter this plural form when discussing periods of time: "I worked there for three years" = عملت هناك لمدة ثلاث سنوات (amilt hunaka li-muddat thalath sanawat).
In daily Arabic conversation, you'll encounter several standard phrases using السّنة:
An important cultural and linguistic point: Arabs express age differently than English speakers. Rather than saying "I am 25 years old," Arabs say "My age is 25 years" or "I have 25 years." The phrase structure is: عمري _____ سنة (omri ___ sana), where omri means "my age." For example: عمري ثلاثون سنة (omri thalathun sana) = "My age is thirty years" or more naturally in English, "I am thirty years old."
In Arab countries, there are actually two important calendar systems in use:
السّنة الميلادية (al-sanna al-miladiyya) - The Gregorian or Christian calendar, used in most official and business contexts. This year is numbered from the birth of Christ.
السّنة الهجرية (al-sanna al-hijriyya) - The Islamic lunar calendar, used for Islamic religious purposes and in some official contexts in predominantly Muslim countries. This calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar year.
Understanding these two systems is important when dealing with dates and official documents in Arabic-speaking countries.
To deepen your understanding of time in Arabic, it's helpful to learn related words:
When using السّنة in conversation:
With consistent practice using السّنة in sentences and conversations, you'll develop a natural feel for this essential vocabulary word.