How to use the numbers eleven and twelve in Arabic?
After learning the rules for numbers 3–10, the next step is the teen numbers (11–19). These numerals work a bit differently: sometimes they agree fully in gender with the noun, sometimes they show polarity in the first part. Let’s break it down step by step.
First, we’ll go over 11 and 12 to see how they change according to case and gender.
Eleven in Arabic (أَحَدَ عَشَرَ / إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ)
- The numeral eleven is invariable in case: it always appears in the accusative.
- Both parts of the number agree with the counted noun in gender.
- Doesn’t show gender polarity.
- Is followed by a noun in the accusative singular.
Twelve in Arabic (اِثْنَا عَشَرَ / اِثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ)
- The numeral twelve is special similar to numeral “two” and the dual
- It changes for nominative vs. genitive/accusative.
- Both parts of the number agree with the counted noun in gender.
- Doesn’t show gender polarity.
- Is followed by a noun in the accusative singular.
This applies to indefinite counted nouns.
For definite counted nouns, the numerals eleven and twelve follow the plural noun, and the definite article is placed only on the first part of the numeral.
The numeral eleven always remains in the accusative case, while the numeral twelve changes its case according to the noun it modifies.
Here are some examples:
