Numerals and Cardinal Numbers

Lesson objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• count in Moroccan Arabic
• combine numbers with nouns
• express amounts
• prepare to ask and answer questions about time

Two things to learn about numbers

When learning numbers in Darija, there are two important tasks. First, you must learn how to count. Second, you must learn how to use numbers with nouns — for example: five apples, twenty-seven students, one hundred forty-three volunteers.

In English, a number is usually followed by the plural form of a noun. In Darija, the form of the noun can change depending on the number — sometimes you use a plural noun, a singular noun, a connecting letter, or no connecting letter at all.

These rules may feel difficult at first, but they become more natural with practice.

Cardinal numbers

Cardinal numbers are the normal counting numbers: one, two, three, four… They are different from ordinal numbers (first, second, third) and fractions (one-half, one-third, one-fourth).