Welcome! If you’re looking to expand your Arabic language skills and learn how to say the year in Arabic, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore both the formal and informal ways of expressing the year in Arabic, while focusing primarily on the standard Arabic dialect. However, we will mention regional variations where necessary. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say the Year
When it comes to formal scenarios, such as official documents, formal settings, or news reports, it is important to adhere to the standard Arabic dialect. Here are some ways to express the year formally:
1. Using Cardinal Numbers
In formal settings, Arabic uses cardinal numbers to denote the year. For instance, to say “2022,” you would say “al-‘ām alf ‘išrīn wa-mi’atain” which translates to “the year two thousand twenty-two.” Here is an example:
Example:
قد بدأ العام الجديد. (Qad bada’a al-‘ām al-jadīd.)
Translation: The new year has begun.
2. Using Ordinal Numbers
Alternatively, formal Arabic sometimes employs ordinal numbers to express the year. For instance, to say “2022,” you would say “sannat alf wa ‘išrīn” meaning “the year twenty-two hundred.” Here’s an example:
Example:
تلك هي السنة الثانية والعشرون من القرن الحادي والعشرين. (Tilka hiya al-sanah al-thāniyah wa-l-‘ishrūna min al-qarn al-hādī wa-l-‘ishrīn.)
Translation: That is the twenty-second year of the twenty-first century.
Informal Ways to Say the Year
Now, let’s explore how to express the year in informal contexts, such as day-to-day conversations with friends and family, where flexibility and regional variations play a significant role.
1. Using Numerals
In informal Arabic, it is common to use numerals when referring to the year. This method allows for a more natural and efficient way of expressing the year, especially in casual conversations. For instance, to say “2022,” you would simply say “imtānī wa-‘išrīn” or “٢٠٢٢.”
Example:
كيف كان عام ٢٠٢٢؟ (Kayfa kān ‘ām 2022?)
Translation: How was the year 2022?
2. Using Descriptive Phrases
Another common informal way of expressing the year in Arabic is by using descriptive phrases. People often make references to significant events or popular culture to associate the year. Take a look at this example:
Example:
هذه السنة كانت سنة كأس العالم لكرة القدم. (Hādhīh al-sanah kānat sana kas al-‘ālam likurat al-qadam.)
Translation: This year was the year of the FIFA World Cup.
Regional Variations
Arabic is a beautifully diverse language, and there are slight variations when it comes to expressing the year in different regions. While this guide focuses on Standard Arabic, here are a couple of regional variations:
1. Levantine Arabic
In the Levantine Arabic dialect, you may come across the colloquial phrase “sannet” followed by the year in numerals to express the year.
2. Egyptian Arabic
Egyptian Arabic often adopts the phrase “seneh” followed by the year in numerals to convey the year in casual conversations.
Final Words
Congratulations! You’ve completed our comprehensive guide on how to say the year in Arabic. We hope this guide has been informative and will help you confidently express the year both formally and informally in Arabic conversations. Remember to adapt your language based on the context and the people you are speaking with. With practice and exposure to the Arabic language, you will continue to enhance your skills. Keep up the great work!
