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Twenty
#13
عشرون (ishrun) is the masculine plural form of the Arabic number twenty. It is used when counting or referring to twenty masculine nouns or in general numerical contexts. This word is fundamental in Arabic numeracy and appears frequently in everyday communication, prices, measurements, and time-related discussions.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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لدي عشرون كتاباً في المكتبة.
Ladayya ishrun kitaban fi al-maktabah.
I have twenty books in the library.
السعر هو عشرون ريالاً.
As-si'r huwa ishrun riyalan.
The price is twenty riyals.
سافرنا لمدة عشرون يوماً.
Safarna li-muddat ishrun ayyaman.
We traveled for twenty days.
عشرون شخصاً حضروا الحفل.
Ishrun shakhsan hadaru al-hafl.
Twenty people attended the celebration.
اشتريت عشرون برتقالة من السوق.
Ishtarayt ishrun burtuqalah min as-suq.
I bought twenty oranges from the market.
Numbers are essential in Arabic commerce, timekeeping, and daily interactions. The number twenty holds particular significance in Islamic tradition, as the Quran mentions it in various contexts. In Middle Eastern souks and markets, being able to count and negotiate using numbers like twenty is practically important for daily commerce and cultural engagement.
Remember that عشرون is used specifically with masculine nouns or in general counting. When used with feminine nouns, the form عشرون remains unchanged in many dialects, though Modern Standard Arabic may show some grammatical variations. Always pair this number with the correct gender-appropriate noun form, and note that in written numbers it often appears as '20' with the word for currency or measurement following.
عشرون (ishrun) is the masculine plural form of the Arabic numeral twenty. It is one of the most commonly used numbers in everyday Arabic communication, appearing in contexts ranging from prices and ages to measurements and dates. The number twenty is formed from combining ten (عشرة) with itself, and its root is ع-ش-ر, which relates to the concept of tens.
The Arabic number system has distinct forms based on gender and context. عشرون is specifically the masculine form used when:
In Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), the number twenty can also appear as عشرين in the genitive and accusative cases, following the rules of Arabic grammatical inflection. Most colloquial dialects, however, tend to use عشرون more consistently across different grammatical situations.
The number twenty appears frequently in Arabic-speaking environments. In markets and shops, prices are often quoted using twenty or multiples thereof. Ages, especially when discussing young adults, commonly involve this number. Travel distances, duration of events, and quantities of goods are all regularly expressed using عشرون.
For learners, mastering this number is essential for basic functional communication. Unlike English, where numbers remain unchanged, Arabic numbers must agree with the nouns they modify, making this grammatical agreement an important learning point.
Several fixed phrases incorporate عشرون:
Numbers hold cultural and religious significance in Arabic-speaking societies. The number twenty appears in Islamic texts and traditions, contributing to its familiarity and importance. In social contexts, mentioning someone's twentieth year often marks entry into adulthood in many Arab cultures.
Understanding عشرون helps learners grasp the broader Arabic number system. Related numbers include:
English speakers should note that Arabic numbers are not neutral; they actively agree with the gender and number of nouns. This is a concept without direct parallel in English, where "twenty" works the same way regardless of what is being counted. Practicing عشرون with various masculine nouns helps internalize this grammatical pattern.
Additionally, in compound numbers (like 21, 22, etc.), the formation differs significantly from English, so learners should study these patterns separately. Exposure to authentic materials like menus, price lists, and age discussions accelerates practical mastery of this essential number.