Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “sixteen” in Arabic! Whether you’re traveling to an Arabic-speaking country, learning the language for personal or professional reasons, or simply curious about different languages and numbers, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to express the number “sixteen” in Arabic.
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Formal Way to Say Sixteen in Arabic
When it comes to formal language, Arabic has two primary variations: Classical Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Here’s how you can express “sixteen” in these formal contexts:
Classical Arabic
In Classical Arabic, the term for “sixteen” is “sittata ‘ashara”. Let’s break it down:
- Sitta – which means “six”.
- ‘Ashara – which means “ten”.
By combining these two words, you get “sittata ‘ashara” meaning “sixteen” in Classical Arabic.
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
In Modern Standard Arabic, “sixteen” is expressed slightly differently. The term for “sixteen” in MSA is “sitta ‘ashr“. Here’s an explanation of the components:
- Sitta – which still means “six”.
- ‘Ashr – which is a shortened form of “‘ashara” and means “ten”.
Combining these words, you’ll have “sitta ‘ashr” meaning “sixteen” in Modern Standard Arabic.
Informal Ways of Saying Sixteen in Arabic
Arabic is a diverse language with various dialects across different regions. Therefore, the informal ways of saying “sixteen” can vary. Here are a few popular informal expressions:
Egyptian Arabic
In Egyptian Arabic, the informal way to say “sixteen” is “teshreena“.
Levantine Arabic
Levantine Arabic, which is spoken in countries like Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, uses the term “” as the informal way to say “sixteen”. The pronunciation might slightly differ, but the words remain the same.
Gulf Arabic
In Gulf Arabic, used predominantly in the Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, you would say “tashtayn ‘ashar” in a casual setting.
Tips for Pronunciation
Arabic pronunciation may be challenging for beginners, but with practice, you can improve your proficiency. Here are a few tips to help you pronounce “sixteen” correctly:
- Focus on pronouncing the “kh” sound correctly. It is a guttural sound similar to the “ch” sound in “loch” or the “j” sound in “jalapeno”.
- Practice the rolled “r” sound if your dialect requires it. It adds a unique touch to the pronunciation of Arabic numbers.
- Pay attention to stress patterns. In Arabic, the stress usually falls on the penultimate syllable, so emphasize it for clear pronunciation.
Examples in Context
During my Arabic class, our teacher taught us how to count in Arabic. When we reached the number “sixteen”, she said, “In Modern Standard Arabic, it’s ‘sitta ‘ashr'”.
Using the informal way, you can say:
- “In Egyptian Arabic, ‘sixteen’ is ‘teshreena’.”
- “In Levantine Arabic, we commonly use ‘sitta ‘ashar’ to express ‘sixteen’.”
- “If you’re in the Gulf region, the informal term for ‘sixteen’ is ‘tashtayn ‘ashar’.”
Now that you have an understanding of how to say “sixteen” in Arabic, both formally and informally, you can confidently use these terms in the appropriate contexts. Enjoy practicing the pronunciation and exploring the beauty of the Arabic language!
