Question 1

Why is the word for four masculine (أربع) when the word for bottles (زجاجات) is feminine?

Accepted Answer

This is because of the reverse agreement rule for numbers 3 to 10. To figure out the gender of the number, you always look at the singular form of the noun you are counting. The singular word for bottle is زجاجة, which ends in a feminine taa marbuuta. Since the singular noun is feminine, the number must be the masculine form أربع rather than the feminine أربعة.

Question 2

Why does this sentence use the plural word زجاجات? Don't numbers in Arabic sometimes use the singular?

Accepted Answer

For numbers 3 through 10, Arabic strictly requires the counted noun to be plural. Since four falls into this range, we must use the plural form زجاجات. You might be remembering that numbers from 11 onwards use the singular form, which is a rule you will encounter as you learn higher numbers!

Question 3

What case ending goes on زجاجات (bottles) after the number?

Accepted Answer

It takes the genitive case. In Arabic, nouns counted by numbers 3 to 10 are treated grammatically as if they are the second part of a possession phrase (an idafa). You can think of the literal translation as a four of bottles. Because it is indefinite, it takes a double kasra ending underneath the final letter, making it sound like zujaajaatin.

Question 4

Why does the verb وضع (put) come before the subject الرجل (the man)?

Accepted Answer

This is standard Arabic sentence structure. While you can start with the noun, it is much more natural and common in Modern Standard Arabic to start a sentence with the verb. This is called a verbal sentence. Word-for-word, it reads: Put the man four bottles on the table.

وضع الرجل أربع زجاجات على الطاولة.

Breakdown of وضع الرجل أربع زجاجات على الطاولة.

Questions & Answers about وضع الرجل أربع زجاجات على الطاولة.

Learn وضع الرجل أربع زجاجات على الطاولة and more in Arabic