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5th
الخامس (al-khāmis) means 'the fifth' in Arabic and is an ordinal number used to indicate position or order in a sequence. It is derived from the cardinal number خمسة (khamsah - five) and follows the pattern of Arabic ordinal numbers. This word agrees in gender with the noun it modifies and is commonly used with days, months, grades, floors, and rankings.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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أسكن في الطابق الخامس من البناية
askunu fī aṭ-ṭābiq al-khāmis min al-bināyah
I live on the fifth floor of the building
ابني في الصف الخامس الابتدائي
ibnī fī aṣ-ṣaff al-khāmis al-ibtidā'ī
My son is in the fifth grade of elementary school
هذا هو الكتاب الخامس الذي أقرأه هذا الشهر
hādhā huwa al-kitāb al-khāmis alladhī aqra'uhu hādhā ash-shahr
This is the fifth book I'm reading this month
حصل الفريق على المركز الخامس في البطولة
ḥaṣala al-farīq 'alā al-markaz al-khāmis fī al-buṭūlah
The team got fifth place in the championship
القرن الخامس الهجري كان عصراً ذهبياً للعلوم
al-qarn al-khāmis al-hijrī kāna 'aṣran dhahabīyan lil-'ulūm
The fifth century Hijri was a golden age for sciences
In Arabic culture, الخامس is particularly significant when referring to الخميس (Thursday), which is etymologically related and means 'the fifth day' of the week in the Islamic calendar where Saturday is the first day. The number five itself holds cultural importance in Islam with the five pillars (الأركان الخمسة) and five daily prayers. When discussing historical periods, Arabs often use الخامس to refer to the fifth century of the Hijri calendar, which corresponds roughly to the 11th-12th centuries CE.
Remember that الخامس must agree in gender with the noun it modifies: use الخامس (masculine) with masculine nouns like الطابق (floor) and الخامسة (feminine) with feminine nouns like الساعة (hour/o'clock). The definite article ال (al-) is always attached to ordinal numbers in Arabic. When listing items, you can use خامساً (fifthly) as an adverb without needing a noun. Always place الخامس after the noun it modifies, following standard Arabic adjective-noun agreement rules.
The Arabic word الخامس (al-khāmis) is an ordinal number that means 'the fifth' and represents one of the most commonly used position indicators in the Arabic language. Whether you're discussing floors in a building, rankings in a competition, or ordering items in a sequence, understanding how to use الخامس correctly is essential for Arabic learners.
The word الخامس is derived from the cardinal number خمسة (khamsah), which means 'five.' Arabic ordinal numbers follow specific patterns, and الخامس follows the فاعل (fā'il) pattern, which is commonly used for ordinal numbers from third through tenth. The definite article ال (al-) is always attached to ordinal numbers in Arabic, distinguishing them from their indefinite forms.
Interestingly, الخامس shares its root with الخميس (al-khamīs), meaning Thursday, which literally translates to 'the fifth day' in the traditional Arabic week where Saturday is considered the first day.
One of the most important aspects of using الخامس correctly is understanding gender agreement. Arabic ordinal numbers must match the gender of the noun they modify:
Masculine form: الخامس (al-khāmis) - used with masculine nouns
Feminine form: الخامسة (al-khāmisah) - used with feminine nouns
الخامس is frequently used when telling time and discussing dates. When saying 'five o'clock,' Arabs say الساعة الخامسة (as-sā'ah al-khāmisah), literally 'the fifth hour.' For dates, you might hear اليوم الخامس من الشهر (the fifth day of the month).
In educational contexts, الخامس appears in grade levels: الصف الخامس (fifth grade) or السنة الخامسة (fifth year). For competitions and rankings, you'll encounter phrases like المركز الخامس (fifth place) or المرتبة الخامسة (fifth rank).
When describing locations in multi-story buildings, الخامس is essential: الطابق الخامس (the fifth floor) or الغرفة الخامسة (the fifth room).
The number five holds special significance in Islamic culture, which extends to the use of الخامس. The five pillars of Islam (الأركان الخمسة) form the foundation of Muslim practice, and Muslims perform five daily prayers. When discussing Islamic history, القرن الخامس الهجري (the fifth Hijri century) refers to an important period in Islamic civilization, roughly corresponding to the 11th-12th centuries CE.
When learning to use الخامس, remember these key points:
To fully grasp الخامس, it's helpful to know related terms: الرابع (ar-rābi') means 'the fourth,' السادس (as-sādis) means 'the sixth,' and خُمس (khums) means 'one-fifth' as a fraction. Understanding these related words helps you navigate Arabic numbers more fluently.
Mastering الخامس opens doors to expressing sequential order, discussing time, and describing positions in Arabic, making it an indispensable word for intermediate and advanced learners.