ألفان
alfān
The English phrase "two thousand" is translated into Arabic as ألفان (alfān).
The phrase is used as a cardinal number to denote the value of two thousand.
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of ألف (alf), meaning 'thousand' and the dual suffix -ان (-ān), which means 'two'.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on their role in a sentence and the level of formality. ألفان is the standard form, while ألفين is used in certain grammatical contexts and in colloquial speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The number changes based on its grammatical case.
How do you pronounce it?
alfān
Did you know?
- The dual suffix -ان used in ألفان is the same suffix used to turn singular nouns into pairs, such as turning 'two eyes' or 'two hands' into a single word.
- In many Arabic dialects, people rarely use the formal ألفان to count money or objects. Instead, they often use the word for 'two' followed by 'thousand', effectively ignoring the dual suffix used in standard grammar.
- Because Arabic is a highly inflected language, the very sound of 'two thousand' changes from ألفان to ألفين depending entirely on whether the number is the subject or the object of the sentence.
Examples in context
- ملايين الدولارات وألفان ومئتانMillions of dollars and two thousand and two hundred
- المسافة تبعد ألفين كيلومترThe distance is two thousand kilometers away
- في الحقيبة ألفان درهم.fī al-ḥaqība alfān dirham.There are two thousand dirhams in the bag.
Example conversation
Maryam and Ahmed are discussing the cost of a new tablet.
- مريم Maryamكم سعر هذا الجهاز يا أحمد؟kam si'r hadha al-jihaz ya Ahmad?How much is this device, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedسعره ألفان درهم فقط.si'ruhu alfān dirham faqat.It costs only two thousand dirhams.
- مريم Maryamهذا سعر جيد جداً.hadha si'r jayyid jiddan.That is a very good price.
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، إنه عرض ممتاز.na'am, innahu 'ard mumtaz.Yes, it is an excellent offer.
