What are ordinal numbers in Arabic?

In Arabic, ordinal numbers are essentially adjectives. They usually follow the noun they modify and agree with it in gender, though they can sometimes precede the noun. They may also be used as independent substantives.

First in Arabic

The Arabic word for “first” is أوّل (‘awwal) for the masculine, with the plural أوائل (‘awa’il), and أولى (‘uwla) for the feminine. أولى is invariable and does not inflect for case.

Let’s look at some examples:

Second to Tenth in Arabic

Here is how to say second, third, fourth … up to tenth:

These ordinals usually follow the noun they modify, agreeing with it in gender, definiteness, and case. Here are some examples:

Eleventh to nineteenth in Arabic

These compound adjectives are formed from the ordinal numeral for the unit plus the masculine or feminine form of the word for “ten.” Both parts agree in gender with the noun they modify, but only the first part of the compound takes the definite article.

Here are some examples:

Twentieth to ninety-ninth in Arabic

For numbers 20–99, ordinals come in two types:

Straight tens – twentieth, thirtieth, eightieth, etc.
Use the tens number itself (e.g., عشرون = ‘ishrun → العشرون = the twentieth).
Compound tens – twenty-first, forty-fifth, fifty-third, etc
Combine the ordinal of the unit (first, second, third…) with the tens word (عشرون ثلاثون أربعون etc.).

In compound ordinals:

The first part (the unit) takes the ordinal form and agrees in gender with the noun.
The tens part (twenty, thirty, etc.) remains the same as the number.
Special note: “first” in compounds uses حادي (hadi).