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Dozen
دزينة (dozen) is a feminine noun borrowed from French that refers to the number twelve or a group of twelve items. It is commonly used in everyday Arabic to express quantities, particularly when discussing purchases of eggs, items sold in bulk, or any collection numbering twelve. The word is used identically across most Arabic dialects and is universally understood.
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اشتريت دزينة من البيض من السوق.
Ishtaraytu duzīnah min al-bayḍ min al-sūq.
I bought a dozen eggs from the market.
في الصندوق دزينة من التفاح الأحمر.
Fī al-ṣindūq duzīnah min al-tuffāḥ al-aḥmar.
There are a dozen red apples in the box.
طلبت دزينة من الفطائر لحفلة عيد ميلادي.
Ṭalabtu duzīnah min al-fuṭā'ir li-ḥaflat 'īd mīlādī.
I ordered a dozen pastries for my birthday party.
كل دزينة من هذه الأقلام تكلف عشرة دنانير.
Kull duzīnah min hādhih al-aqlām tukalif 'asharat danānīr.
Every dozen of these pens costs ten dinars.
شراء بالجملة أرخص، والدزينة الواحدة تساوي ثمن الفرد والنص.
Shirā' bil-jumlah arkhaṣ, wa-al-duzīnah al-wāḥidah tusāwī thaman al-fard wa-al-niṣf.
Wholesale buying is cheaper, and one dozen equals the price of one and a half individual items.
The word دزينة is a loanword from French 'douzaine' and is standard across all modern Arabic-speaking countries, making it universally recognized and understood. In Middle Eastern markets and shops, quantities are often expressed in dozens when buying produce, eggs, or bakery items, reflecting the practical commerce culture of the region. This French borrowing demonstrates the historical influence of French on Arabic vocabulary, particularly in commerce and everyday transactions.
Remember that دزينة is feminine, so it takes feminine agreement (دزينة واحدة for 'one dozen'). When expressing quantities, you can say 'دزينتان' (two dozens) or 'ثلاث دزائن' (three dozens). The word is used with the singular form of the counted noun when following the standard Arabic counting rules, so 'دزينة بيض' (a dozen eggs) uses the singular form even though it refers to multiple items.
The word دزينة (pronounced 'duzīnah') is a fundamental vocabulary term in Arabic that refers to the quantity of twelve. It is a feminine noun that has become an integral part of modern Arabic, particularly in commerce, shopping, and everyday conversations about quantities.
دزينة is a loanword derived from the French word 'douzaine,' which itself comes from the French 'douze' (twelve). This borrowing reflects the historical influence of French on Arabic vocabulary, particularly in North Africa and the Levant regions where French colonial presence was significant. Over time, this word has become naturalized and is now considered a standard part of modern Arabic across all dialects and regions.
As a feminine noun, دزينة follows standard feminine grammar rules in Arabic. When used in sentences, it takes the feminine definite article ال and agrees with other feminine adjectives. For example:
When counting objects with دزينة, the counted noun typically appears in the singular form, following classical Arabic counting conventions. Thus, we say 'دزينة بيض' (a dozen eggs) rather than 'دزينة بيضات.'
In Arabic-speaking markets and shops, دزينة is an essential word for both buyers and sellers. It is commonly used when purchasing:
The term reflects practical commerce culture where bulk purchases are standard, and quantities are often expressed in dozens. This is particularly common in traditional souks (markets) and modern supermarkets alike throughout the Arab world.
Understanding دزينة helps learners grasp other quantity expressions in Arabic. While the direct numeric equivalent is 'اثنا عشر' (twelve), the word دزينة is preferred in commercial and everyday contexts because it emphasizes the grouped nature of the quantity rather than just the number itself.
The use of dozens in Arab commerce reflects both traditional and modern shopping practices. Wholesale buying (الشراء بالجملة) often involves dozens as the basic unit, making this term economically important. In many Arab households, purchasing eggs, produce, and bakery items by the dozen is the norm, making this vocabulary essential for anyone living in or regularly shopping in Arabic-speaking communities.
Learners should familiarize themselves with the most common expressions using دزينة:
When learning to use دزينة, remember that it is always feminine in form and agreement. Additionally, this is one of the few instances where English speakers can directly transfer their understanding of 'dozen' to Arabic without significant modification. The word functions identically across all Arabic dialects, making it one of the more universally consistent vocabulary items.
Practice using دزينة in different contexts: asking for quantities in a market, expressing amounts in recipes or instructions, or discussing bulk purchases. This practical application will help solidify the word in your active vocabulary.