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A1 noun #1,000 más común 10 min de lectura

ثانية

thaniya Top 1,000

At the A1 level, learning the word ثانية (thāniya) is primarily about basic vocabulary building related to time and numbers. Beginners are introduced to the fundamental units of time: ساعة (hour), دقيقة (minute), and ثانية (second). The focus is on simple, literal usage. You will learn how to recognize the word in basic sentences, such as 'ستين ثانية في الدقيقة' (sixty seconds in a minute). At this stage, it is crucial to memorize the singular form and its pronunciation. You will also start using it in very simple commands or requests, like 'انتظر ثانية' (wait a second), which is an essential phrase for daily survival in an Arabic-speaking environment. The grammar focus is minimal, mostly ensuring you can identify it as a feminine noun due to the ending 'ة'. You will practice writing it and reading it in short, clear texts. The goal is simply to associate the Arabic word with the English concept of 'second' and be able to use it in the most basic, everyday contexts without worrying too much about complex plural rules or advanced idiomatic expressions.

As you progress to the A2 level, your understanding of ثانية deepens to include basic grammar rules and more varied contexts. You will learn the plural form, ثوانٍ (thawānin), and begin to use it with numbers from 3 to 10. This introduces the concept of reverse gender agreement in Arabic numbers, a key grammatical milestone. You will practice saying phrases like 'خمس ثوانٍ' (five seconds) and 'عشر ثوانٍ' (ten seconds). At this level, you will also start to encounter the word in simple narratives and descriptions, such as talking about a short race or how long a basic task takes. You will learn to differentiate between the noun 'second' (time) and the ordinal number 'second' (order) in simple sentences. The usage becomes slightly more figurative; you will understand that 'ثانية واحدة' often just means 'a short time' rather than exactly 60 seconds. Listening exercises will feature the word spoken at a natural pace in everyday dialogues, helping you to pick it out even when it is blended with other words.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use ثانية with greater grammatical accuracy and in a wider range of situations. You will master the rules for counting seconds from 11 to 99, using the singular accusative form (e.g., عشرون ثانيةً). You will use the word confidently in discussions about daily routines, sports, and simple scientific facts. You will start using prepositions with the word, such as 'في ثانية' (in a second) or 'بعد ثانية' (after a second), to express timeframes and rates. Your vocabulary will expand to include related terms like 'جزء من الثانية' (a fraction of a second). At this stage, you will also begin to understand more nuanced cultural uses of the word, recognizing when a speaker is exaggerating for effect. You will be able to write short paragraphs describing events where precise timing is important, using the correct plural and singular forms depending on the numbers involved. Your listening comprehension will improve, allowing you to catch the word in news broadcasts or sports commentary.

Reaching the B2 level means you can use ثانية fluently and naturally, incorporating it into complex sentences and idiomatic expressions. You will understand and use phrases that emphasize speed or suddenness, such as 'في كسر من الثانية' (in a fraction of a second). You will be comfortable with the defective nature of the plural noun ثوانٍ, knowing exactly when to drop or keep the final 'yaa' depending on its grammatical case and definiteness (e.g., الثواني vs. ثوانٍ). You will use the word in abstract discussions, perhaps talking about the value of time or the fleeting nature of moments. You will be able to read and understand articles or opinion pieces where the word is used metaphorically. In spoken Arabic, you will use it to manage conversations, using phrases like 'ثانية واحدة فقط لأوضح فكرتي' (just one second to clarify my point). Your writing will demonstrate a solid grasp of all associated grammar rules, and you will rarely make mistakes with number agreement when counting seconds.

At the C1 advanced level, your use of ثانية is sophisticated and highly nuanced. You will encounter the word in complex literary texts, academic papers, and formal speeches. You will understand its use in highly technical or scientific contexts, such as discussing physics, astronomy, or computer science (e.g., سرعة المعالجة بالثانية - processing speed per second). You will be familiar with classical or less common synonyms like برهة or هنيهة and know when it is appropriate to use them instead of ثانية for stylistic variation. You will effortlessly navigate the most complex grammatical structures involving the word, including its use in genitive constructs (إضافة) and with advanced rhetorical devices. You will appreciate the poetic use of the word to describe the passage of time, understanding how authors use it to build tension or convey a sense of urgency. Your spoken Arabic will be near-native in its fluidity, and you will use idiomatic expressions involving 'seconds' with complete naturalness.

At the C2 mastery level, your comprehension and usage of ثانية are indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. You possess a deep understanding of the word's etymology and its historical usage in Arabic literature. You can engage in philosophical discussions about the nature of time, using ثانية as a conceptual anchor. You are completely comfortable with the most obscure or regional idiomatic uses of the word across different Arabic dialects, even if you primarily speak Modern Standard Arabic. You can write highly persuasive or poetic texts where the pacing and rhythm are controlled by references to seconds and moments. You understand the subtle psychological impact of using the word in negotiations or high-stakes conversations. You can analyze how the concept of the 'second' has evolved in Arab culture from traditional timekeeping to the hyper-fast digital age, using the vocabulary with absolute precision and cultural sensitivity.

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

ثانية en 30 segundos

Unit of time (1/60 minute)
Feminine noun (ends in ة)
Plural is ثوانٍ (defective noun)
Often means 'a short moment'

The Arabic word for 'second' is ثانية (thāniya). It is a fundamental unit of time, representing one sixtieth of a minute. Understanding this word is essential for anyone learning Arabic, as it frequently appears in everyday conversations, scientific contexts, and idiomatic expressions. When people use the word ثانية, they are often referring to a literal second, such as when measuring time in a race or a scientific experiment. However, much like in English, the word is also heavily used in a figurative sense to mean 'a very short amount of time' or 'a brief moment'. For example, if someone asks you to wait, they might say 'انتظر ثانية' (wait a second), even if they actually mean a few minutes. This figurative usage is extremely common in spoken Arabic across all dialects. The root of the word is ث-ن-ي (th-n-y), which carries the core meaning of bending, folding, or doubling. Interestingly, the word for 'second' (the ordinal number) is also ثاني (thānī) for masculine and ثانية (thāniya) for feminine. This connection highlights how the unit of time is conceptually 'the second' division of the hour, following the minute. In daily life, you will hear this word in various contexts, from cooking instructions to sports commentary.

Literal Usage: Used to denote exactly 60000 milliseconds, primarily in science, sports, and precise scheduling.

Sentence ثانية واحدة تكفي.

Furthermore, the concept of a second in Arabic culture, while technically precise, is often stretched in casual conversation. When an Arab speaker says they will be with you in a second, it is a polite way of acknowledging your presence and asking for a brief delay. This cultural nuance is important for learners to grasp, as taking the word literally in social situations can lead to misunderstandings. The word is also used in compound terms, such as 'جزء من الثانية' (a fraction of a second), which emphasizes extreme speed or brevity.

Figurative Usage: Used to mean a very short time, similar to 'moment' or 'instant' in English.

Sentence سأعود بعد ثانية.

In modern contexts, with the rise of technology and digital communication, the word ثانية has maintained its relevance. Internet speeds, download times, and digital clocks all reinforce the daily use of this word.

Technological Context: Commonly seen in metrics like megabytes per second (ميجابايت في الثانية).

Sentence السرعة عشرون متراً في الـثانية.

Learning to use ثانية correctly will greatly enhance your ability to express time and urgency in Arabic. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between strict scientific measurement and fluid social interaction.

Sentence في ثانية واحدة تغير كل شيء.

Sentence لا تضيع ولا ثانية من وقتك.

To master this word, practice using it in both its literal and figurative senses, and pay attention to how native speakers employ it in different situations. It is a small word, but it carries significant weight in everyday communication.

Using the word ثانية (thāniya) in sentences requires an understanding of Arabic grammar, particularly how nouns interact with numbers, prepositions, and adjectives. As a feminine noun ending in a taa marbuta (ة), it dictates the gender of the adjectives that modify it and the form of the numbers that count it. When counting seconds from 3 to 10, the number must be masculine (because the noun is feminine) and the noun must be in the plural genitive form. For example, 'three seconds' is ثلاث ثوانٍ (thalāth thawānin). This is a crucial grammatical rule that often trips up beginners.

Numbers 3-10: Use the masculine form of the number followed by the plural genitive noun: خمس ثوانٍ (five seconds).

Sentence انتظرني خمس ثوانٍ.

When counting from 11 to 99, the number is followed by the singular accusative form of the noun. Therefore, 'twenty seconds' is عشرون ثانيةً (ishrūn thāniyatan). This shift from plural to singular when counting above ten is a standard feature of Arabic grammar.

Numbers 11-99: Use the singular accusative noun: خمسون ثانيةً (fifty seconds).

Sentence استغرق الأمر ثلاثين ثانيةً.

Prepositions also play a significant role in how ثانية is used. The preposition في (fī - in) is commonly used to indicate a rate, such as 'meters per second' (أمتار في الثانية). The preposition بعد (ba'da - after) is used to indicate a future time, as in 'after a second' (بعد ثانية).

Prepositions: Combine with prepositions to express rates or timeframes: في الثانية (per second), خلال ثانية (within a second).

Sentence سيصل القطار خلال ثانية.

Adjectives modifying ثانية must also be feminine. For instance, 'a long second' would be ثانية طويلة (thāniya tawīla). When used as the subject of a sentence, it takes the nominative case (ثانيةٌ), as the object it takes the accusative (ثانيةً), and after a preposition it takes the genitive (ثانيةٍ).

Sentence مرت كل ثانية ببطء شديد.

Sentence أحتاج إلى ثانية إضافية للتفكير.

Mastering these sentence structures will allow you to communicate precisely about time, speed, and duration in Arabic, making your speech sound much more natural and fluent.

The word ثانية (thāniya) is ubiquitous in the Arabic-speaking world, echoing through various environments and contexts. You will hear it in the bustling streets of Cairo, the modern offices of Dubai, and the traditional markets of Marrakech. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is in everyday social interactions, particularly when people are asking for a brief pause or delay. The phrase 'دقيقة أو ثانية' (a minute or a second) is a staple of polite requests to wait.

Customer Service: Shopkeepers and service workers frequently use it to ask customers to wait briefly.

Sentence من فضلك، انتظر ثانية واحدة.

Sports broadcasting is another domain where ثانية is constantly used. Commentators rely on it to describe the remaining time in a football match, the speed of a runner, or the duration of a penalty. The tension of a game often comes down to the final seconds, making the word highly emotive in this context.

Sports Commentary: Used to build excitement during the final moments of a match or race.

Sentence تبقت عشر ثوانٍ على نهاية المباراة.

In scientific and educational settings, ثانية is used with strict precision. Physics teachers discuss velocity in meters per second, and chemistry experiments are timed down to the second. This demonstrates the word's dual nature: casual in the streets, precise in the lab.

Science and Education: Employed in formulas, measurements, and precise timing.

Sentence سرعة الضوء تقاس بالكيلومترات في الثانية.

Furthermore, you will hear it in cooking shows, where chefs instruct viewers to boil something for a specific number of seconds, or in technology reviews discussing the processing speed of a new smartphone.

Sentence اترك الخليط يغلي لمدة ثلاثين ثانية.

Sentence يفتح التطبيق في أقل من ثانية.

The versatility of ثانية ensures that no matter what your interests are or where you travel in the Arab world, this word will be a constant part of your auditory landscape.

When learning the word ثانية (thāniya), English speakers often encounter several common pitfalls, primarily related to Arabic's complex rules for numbers and plurals. The most frequent mistake is using the incorrect plural form. The plural of ثانية is ثوانٍ (thawānin), which is a defective noun (اسم منقوص). This means the final 'yaa' (ي) is dropped when the word is indefinite and in the nominative or genitive case, but it reappears when the word is definite (الثواني - al-thawānī) or in the accusative case (ثوانياً - thawāniyan). Many learners incorrectly say 'ثانيات' (thāniyāt) or always keep the 'yaa', saying 'خمس ثواني' (khams thawānī) instead of the grammatically correct 'خمس ثوانٍ' (khams thawānin).

Plural Formation: Incorrect: ثلاث ثانيات. Correct: ثلاث ثوانٍ.

Sentence انتظرتك لعدة ثوانٍ.

Another major area of confusion is the gender agreement with numbers. Because ثانية is feminine, numbers from 3 to 10 used to count it must be masculine. A common error is saying 'ثلاثة ثوانٍ' (thalāthat thawānin) instead of the correct 'ثلاث ثوانٍ' (thalāth thawānin). This reverse gender agreement rule is notoriously difficult for learners to internalize.

Number Gender Agreement: Incorrect: خمسة ثوانٍ. Correct: خمس ثوانٍ.

Sentence تبقى أربع ثوانٍ فقط.

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse the noun ثانية (second of time) with the feminine ordinal number ثانية (second in order). While they are spelled and pronounced identically, their grammatical function in a sentence differs. For example, 'the second car' is السيارة الثانية (al-sayyāra al-thāniya), where it acts as an adjective, whereas 'one second' is ثانية واحدة (thāniya wāhida), where it acts as a noun.

Noun vs. Adjective: Ensure you understand whether you are referring to time or sequence.

Sentence هذه هي المرة الثانية التي أزور فيها مصر.

Finally, a subtle mistake is overusing the literal translation of English idioms. For instance, translating 'give me a second' literally as 'أعطني ثانية' (a'tinī thāniya) is understandable but less natural than saying 'لحظة من فضلك' (lahza min fadlik - a moment please) or simply 'ثانية واحدة' (thāniya wāhida).

Sentence ثانية من وقتك لو سمحت.

Sentence لقد أنهى السباق في الثانية الأخيرة.

By being aware of these common mistakes, particularly the pluralization and number agreement rules, you can significantly improve your accuracy and sound more like a native speaker.

While ثانية (thāniya) is the precise word for 'second', Arabic offers a rich vocabulary for expressing short durations of time, each with its own subtle nuances. Understanding these alternatives allows for more expressive and context-appropriate communication. A very common alternative is لحظة (lahza), which translates to 'moment' or 'instant'. While a second is a fixed measurement, a moment is subjective. You will often hear 'لحظة من فضلك' (lahza min fadlik - one moment please) used interchangeably with 'ثانية واحدة' (thāniya wāhida) in polite requests.

لحظة (Lahza): Meaning 'moment', it is slightly less precise than a second and very common in polite conversation.

Sentence انتظر لحظة، سأكون معك.

Another related word is دقيقة (daqīqa), meaning 'minute'. In casual speech, people often exaggerate and ask for a 'minute' when they mean a 'second', or vice versa. For example, someone might say 'أعطني دقيقة' (give me a minute) even if the task will only take a few seconds.

دقيقة (Daqīqa): Meaning 'minute', often used figuratively to mean a short while, similar to 'second'.

Sentence سأنهي العمل في دقيقة.

For literary or more poetic contexts, the word برهة (burha) is used. It means a short period of time, an instant, or a while. It is less common in everyday street Arabic but frequently appears in novels, poetry, and formal writing.

برهة (Burha): A literary term for a short while or instant, adding an elegant tone to the sentence.

Sentence صمت لبرهة قبل أن يجيب.

Finally, the word هنيهة (hunayha) is a diminutive form used in classical Arabic to mean a very tiny amount of time, even shorter than a moment. While rarely used in modern spoken dialects, recognizing it is beneficial for reading classical texts.

Sentence غاب عن الوعي لهنيهة.

Sentence في لمح البصر اختفى كل شيء.

(The last example uses 'لمح البصر' - the blink of an eye, another excellent alternative for expressing extreme brevity). Choosing the right alternative depends on the desired level of formality and the exact nuance of time you wish to convey.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"استغرق التفاعل الكيميائي ثلاثين ثانية."

Neutral

"انتظرني ثانية من فضلك."

Informal

"ثانية وجاي."

Child friendly

"عد إلى عشر ثوانٍ ثم افتح عينيك."

Jerga

"سنجة واحدة (Egyptian slang variation of sanya wahda)."

Dato curioso

In medieval Islamic astronomy, time was divided into degrees, minutes, and seconds, directly translating from Greek concepts, but the Arabic terms solidified the modern mathematical usage.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈθaː.ni.ja/

US /ˈθɑː.ni.jə/

First syllable: THAA-ni-ya

Rima con

غانية فانية دانية حانية عانية بانية جانية قانية

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'th' (ث) as an 's' (س), saying 'sanya'. This is common in Egyptian dialect but incorrect in Standard Arabic.
Pronouncing the 'th' (ث) as a 't' (ت), saying 'tanya'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable: thaa-NI-ya.
Failing to pronounce the final 'a' (taa marbuta), saying 'thaaniy'.
Mispronouncing the plural 'thawānin' by keeping the final 'yaa' when it should be dropped.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Easy to read in singular, but the defective plural 'ثوانٍ' without the final yaa can confuse beginners.

Escritura 4/5

Writing the plural correctly with kasratayn (ثوانٍ) and applying number rules is challenging.

Expresión oral 2/5

Easy to pronounce, though dialectal variations (sanya) are common.

Escucha 2/5

Easily recognizable in speech.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

وقت (time) دقيقة (minute) ساعة (hour) واحد (one) انتظر (wait)

Aprende después

لحظة (moment) فترة (period) مدة (duration) سريع (fast) بطيء (slow)

Avanzado

برهة (instant) هنيهة (tiny moment) تزامن (synchronization) مؤقت (timer) عقرب (clock hand)

Gramática que debes saber

Numbers 3-10 with feminine nouns

خمس ثوانٍ (The number is masculine, the noun is plural genitive).

Numbers 11-99 with nouns

عشرون ثانيةً (The noun is singular accusative).

Defective Nouns (الاسم المنقوص)

ثوانٍ (indefinite) vs الثواني (definite). The final yaa drops when indefinite nominative/genitive.

Adjective Agreement

ثانية طويلة (Adjective matches the feminine singular noun).

Prepositions of Time

في ثانية (Using 'fi' to indicate duration or rate).

Ejemplos por nivel

الدقيقة ستون ثانية.

The minute is sixty seconds.

Simple nominal sentence. ثانية is singular feminine.

انتظر ثانية من فضلك.

Wait a second, please.

Imperative verb followed by singular noun.

ثانية واحدة فقط.

Just one second.

Adjective واحدة agrees in gender with feminine noun ثانية.

كم ثانية في الدقيقة؟

How many seconds in a minute?

كم (how many) is followed by singular accusative noun.

هذه ثانية طويلة.

This is a long second.

Demonstrative pronoun هذه for feminine singular.

أنا أحتاج ثانية.

I need a second.

Basic Subject-Verb-Object structure.

الآن، ثانية بثانية.

Now, second by second.

Repetition for emphasis with preposition ب.

مرت ثانية.

A second passed.

Feminine verb مرت agrees with feminine subject ثانية.

انتظرني خمس ثوانٍ.

Wait for me for five seconds.

Number 5 (masculine) with plural genitive noun ثوانٍ.

السباق انتهى في عشر ثوانٍ.

The race finished in ten seconds.

Number 10 (masculine) with plural genitive.

بقي ثلاث ثوانٍ.

Three seconds remain.

Verb بقي with subject ثلاث (masculine).

سأعود بعد ثانية.

I will return after a second.

Preposition بعد followed by genitive singular.

هذه الثواني مهمة.

These seconds are important.

Definite plural الثواني keeps the final yaa.

عد إلى عشر ثوانٍ.

Count to ten seconds.

Preposition إلى followed by genitive phrase.

كل ثانية لها قيمة.

Every second has value.

كل followed by singular genitive noun.

لا تتأخر ولا ثانية.

Do not be late, not even a second.

Negative imperative with emphasis.

استغرق الأمر عشرين ثانيةً فقط.

The matter took only twenty seconds.

Number 20 followed by singular accusative ثانيةً.

سرعة الرياح خمسون متراً في الثانية.

Wind speed is fifty meters per second.

Using في الثانية to express rate.

في جزء من الثانية، تغير كل شيء.

In a fraction of a second, everything changed.

Common phrase جزء من الثانية.

الثواني الأخيرة من المباراة كانت حاسمة.

The last seconds of the match were decisive.

Adjective الأخيرة agrees with non-human plural الثواني (treated as feminine singular).

يحتاج الكمبيوتر إلى ثلاثين ثانيةً ليبدأ.

The computer needs thirty seconds to start.

Number 30 with singular accusative.

لا أستطيع الانتظار ثانية أخرى.

I cannot wait another second.

Adjective أخرى (feminine of آخر) modifying ثانية.

تم تحميل الملف في بضع ثوانٍ.

The file was downloaded in a few seconds.

بضع (a few) acts like numbers 3-10, taking plural genitive.

كل ثانية تمر تقربنا من الهدف.

Every passing second brings us closer to the goal.

Relative clause تمر modifying indefinite noun ثانية.

اتخذ القرار في كسر من الثانية.

He made the decision in a split second.

Idiomatic expression كسر من الثانية.

الزمن يقاس بالساعات والدقائق والثواني.

Time is measured in hours, minutes, and seconds.

Passive voice يقاس with coordinated definite plurals.

خمس وأربعون ثانيةً تفصلنا عن الإطلاق.

Forty-five seconds separate us from the launch.

Complex number 45: خمس (masc) وأربعون with singular accusative.

لقد حسبت الوقت بالثانية.

I calculated the time to the second.

Preposition ب indicating precision.

الثواني تمر كأنها ساعات عندما تنتظر.

Seconds pass as if they were hours when you wait.

Simile using كأنها.

سرعة الصوت تبلغ حوالي 343 متراً في الثانية.

The speed of sound is about 343 meters per second.

Scientific context using rate.

لم يتردد لثانية واحدة قبل المساعدة.

He did not hesitate for a single second before helping.

Negative past tense لم يتردد with preposition ل.

تتطلب هذه العملية دقة تصل إلى أجزاء من الثانية.

This operation requires precision down to fractions of a second.

Plural أجزاء used for extreme precision.

في عالم التداول المالي، كل ثانية تعني ثروة.

In the world of financial trading, every second means a fortune.

Abstract concept linking time to value.

انقضت الثواني ثقيلة ومحملة بالتوتر.

The seconds passed heavily and laden with tension.

Use of hal (adverbial condition) ثقيلة.

تُعرّف الثانية علمياً بناءً على إشعاع ذرة السيزيوم.

The second is defined scientifically based on the radiation of a cesium atom.

Passive verb تُعرّف with scientific terminology.

لا يستهان بأي ثانية في سباقات الفورمولا وان.

No second is to be underestimated in Formula One races.

Passive voice لا يستهان with preposition ب.

كانت تفصل بين الحياة والموت ثوانٍ معدودات.

A few numbered seconds separated life and death.

Adjective معدودات modifying plural indefinite ثوانٍ.

التقطت الكاميرا الحدث بمعدل ألف إطار في الثانية.

The camera captured the event at a rate of a thousand frames per second.

Complex technical phrasing.

تتلاشى الذكريات كما تتلاشى الثواني في نهر الزمن.

Memories fade just as seconds fade in the river of time.

Poetic metaphor.

استغل كل ثانية من شبابك قبل المشيب.

Exploit every second of your youth before old age.

Imperative with philosophical advice.

إن اختزال الوجود في ثوانٍ عابرة هو جوهر المأساة الإنسانية.

Reducing existence to fleeting seconds is the essence of human tragedy.

Complex nominal sentence with philosophical vocabulary.

تتراقص الثواني على وتر الانتظار، تعزف لحن القلق.

Seconds dance on the string of waiting, playing the melody of anxiety.

Highly poetic personification.

لم تكن مجرد ثانية، بل كانت دهراً اختُزل في ومضة.

It was not just a second, but an eon condensed into a flash.

Contrast between ثانية and دهر (eon).

في فيزياء الكم، مفهوم الثانية يتخذ أبعاداً تتجاوز الإدراك الكلاسيكي.

In quantum physics, the concept of the second takes on dimensions beyond classical perception.

Advanced scientific discourse.

تنساب الثواني من بين أصابعنا كالرمل الناعم.

Seconds slip through our fingers like fine sand.

Classic literary simile.

كانت تلك الثانية الفاصلة هي نقطة اللاعودة في تاريخ الأمة.

That decisive second was the point of no return in the nation's history.

Historical narrative style.

يتجلى عبث الوجود حين ندرك أننا مجرد ثوانٍ في عمر الكون.

The absurdity of existence manifests when we realize we are mere seconds in the age of the universe.

Existential philosophical statement.

دقة التزامن المطلوبة تصل إلى الفيمتو ثانية، وهو ما يعجز عنه الخيال.

The required synchronization precision reaches the femtosecond, which defies imagination.

Use of ultra-precise scientific term الفيمتو ثانية.

Colocaciones comunes

في ثانية

ثانية واحدة

جزء من الثانية

ثانية بثانية

كسر من الثانية

كل ثانية

الثواني الأخيرة

متر في الثانية

لثوانٍ معدودة

ثوانٍ قليلة

Frases Comunes

ثانية من فضلك

ولا ثانية

في أقل من ثانية

عد الثواني

ثانية إضافية

تمر الثواني

في نفس الثانية

ثانية حاسمة

لثانية واحدة

ثوانٍ من الرعب

Se confunde a menudo con

ثانية vs دقيقة (Minute)

Learners sometimes mix up the words for minute and second. Remember 'daqīqa' is minute, 'thāniya' is second.

ثانية vs ثاني (Second - Ordinal Masculine)

The ordinal number 'second' for masculine nouns is 'thānī'. The unit of time is 'thāniya'.

ثانية vs ساعة (Hour)

The largest of the three basic time units. Don't confuse it with second.

Modismos y expresiones

"في كسر من الثانية"

In a split second. Used to describe a very sudden action or decision.

تغير كل شيء في كسر من الثانية.

Neutral

"يعد الثواني"

Counting the seconds. Waiting very impatiently for something to happen.

هو يعد الثواني لانتهاء العمل.

Informal

"ثانية بثانية"

Second by second. Following something very closely and continuously.

نتابع التطورات ثانية بثانية.

Neutral

"سباق مع الثواني"

A race against the seconds. A situation requiring extreme urgency.

نحن في سباق مع الثواني لإنقاذ المريض.

Formal

"لا يضيع ثانية"

Does not waste a second. Describes someone very efficient or focused.

إنه يعمل بجد ولا يضيع ثانية.

Neutral

"سرق ثانية"

Stole a second. To find a brief moment of time in a busy schedule.

سرقت ثانية لأتصل بك.

Informal

"الثانية تساوي ذهباً"

A second equals gold. Emphasizes the extreme value of time.

في هذه المرحلة، الثانية تساوي ذهباً.

Formal

"توقف الزمن لثانية"

Time stopped for a second. Used to describe a moment of shock or awe.

عندما رأيتها، توقف الزمن لثانية.

Literary

"في الثواني القاتلة"

In the killer seconds. The very last, most critical moments of a game or event.

سجل الهدف في الثواني القاتلة.

Sports/Journalistic

"بين ثانية وأخرى"

Between one second and another. Meaning 'at any moment' or 'very soon'.

قد يصل القطار بين ثانية وأخرى.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

ثانية vs ثانية (Ordinal Feminine)

Spelled and pronounced exactly the same as the unit of time.

Context determines the meaning. If it modifies a noun (المرة الثانية - the second time), it's an ordinal number. If it stands alone as a time unit (انتظر ثانية - wait a second), it's a noun.

هذه هي المرة الثانية التي أنتظر فيها لثانية.

ثانية vs ثواني (Definite Plural / Dialect Plural)

Learners see 'ثواني' and 'ثوانٍ' and don't know which to use.

In Standard Arabic, use 'ثوانٍ' when indefinite (خمس ثوانٍ) and 'الثواني' when definite. In dialects, 'ثواني' is used for everything.

مرت خمس ثوانٍ. الثواني تمر ببطء.

ثانية vs لحظة (Moment)

Used interchangeably in conversation.

ثانية is exactly 60 seconds. لحظة is an undefined short period. Both are used figuratively to mean 'wait'.

انتظر لحظة. انتظر ثانية.

ثانية vs اثنان (Two)

Shares the same root (ث-ن-ي).

اثنان is the number 2. ثانية is the unit of time.

عندي كتابان اثنان. انتظر ثانية.

ثانية vs سنة (Year)

Both start with a similar sound and end in taa marbuta.

سنة is a year (365 days). ثانية is a second.

انتظرتك سنة كاملة، ولم تأتِ في ثانية.

Patrones de oraciones

انتظر + ثانية

انتظر ثانية.

رقم (3-10) + ثوانٍ

مرت خمس ثوانٍ.

استغرق + الأمر + رقم + ثانيةً

استغرق الأمر عشرين ثانيةً.

في + جزء + من + الثانية

حدث ذلك في جزء من الثانية.

كل + ثانية + فعل مضارع

كل ثانية تمر تقربنا.

لم + فعل + لثانية + واحدة

لم أتردد لثانية واحدة.

بمعدل + رقم + في + الثانية

بمعدل ألف متر في الثانية.

اختزال + اسم + في + ثوانٍ

اختزال العمر في ثوانٍ.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very High

Errores comunes

Saying ثلاثة ثوانٍ → ثلاث ثوانٍ
Because ثانية is feminine, the number 3 must be in its masculine form (ثلاث) without the taa marbuta.
Writing خمس ثواني → خمس ثوانٍ
The word ثوانٍ is a defective noun. When it is indefinite and genitive (as it is after numbers 3-10), the final yaa must be dropped.
Saying عشرون ثوانٍ → عشرون ثانيةً
Numbers from 11 to 99 require the singular accusative form of the noun, not the plural.
Translating 'the second time' as الوقت الثانية → المرة الثانية
When 'second' means the order of occurrence, use the ordinal number modifying the noun 'مرة' (time/occurrence), not the time unit.
Saying ثانية واحد → ثانية واحدة
The adjective for 'one' must agree in gender with the feminine noun ثانية.

Consejos

Reverse Agreement

Always check the gender of the singular noun. Since ثانية is feminine, numbers 3-10 must be masculine (ثلاث، أربع، خمس).

The Missing Yaa

Memorize the spelling of the plural: ثوانٍ. The two lines under the nuun (kasratayn) replace the missing yaa.

Dialect Differences

Don't be surprised if you hear 'sanya' in Egypt or the Levant. It's the same word, just a dialectal pronunciation.

Figurative vs Literal

Understand that 'ثانية' rarely means exactly 60 seconds in social contexts. It just means 'soon'.

Learn the Trio

Learn ثانية (second), دقيقة (minute), and ساعة (hour) together as a set.

Ordinal vs Noun

Context is key. 'الدرس الثاني' (the second lesson) vs 'ثانية واحدة' (one second).

Sports Commentary

Watch Arabic sports channels to hear the word used dynamically and frequently.

Fraction of a Second

Use 'جزء من الثانية' to sound more advanced when describing fast events.

Better Alternatives

Use 'لحظة' instead of 'ثانية' when speaking to someone you want to show respect to.

Root Connection

Remember the root ث-ن-ي connects the number two (اثنان) with the second (ثانية).

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'THANYA' as a girl's name. Thanya only takes a SECOND to get ready.

Asociación visual

Imagine a giant number TWO (since the root means two/second) ticking like a clock hand, representing a SECOND.

Word Web

وقت (time) دقيقة (minute) ساعة (hour) انتظر (wait) سريع (fast) رقم (number) ساعة يد (watch) لحظة (moment)

Desafío

Try to count from 1 to 5 seconds in Arabic out loud: ثانية واحدة، ثانيتان، ثلاث ثوانٍ، أربع ثوانٍ، خمس ثوانٍ.

Origen de la palabra

The word comes from the Arabic root ث-ن-ي (th-n-y), which means to bend, fold, or double. It is related to the number two (اثنان). The concept is that the minute is the first division of the hour, and the 'second' is the second division.

Significado original: The second division or the second part.

Semitic

Contexto cultural

No specific cultural sensitivities, but be aware that demanding someone to act 'في ثانية' (in a second) can sound very rude and impatient.

English speakers use 'just a second' in the exact same figurative way Arabs use 'ثانية واحدة'. The cultural translation is perfectly aligned here.

The famous Egyptian song 'ثانية واحدة' (One Second). Sports commentary by famous Arab announcers like Issam Chawali shouting 'في الثواني الأخيرة!' (In the final seconds!). Poetry by Nizar Qabbani referencing the fleeting nature of moments and seconds.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Asking someone to wait

ثانية من فضلك
انتظر ثانية
أعطني ثانية
ثانية واحدة فقط

Sports and Racing

في الثواني الأخيرة
بفارق ثانية
سباق مع الثواني
عشر ثوان متبقية

Science and Speed

متر في الثانية
جزء من الثانية
سرعة الضوء بالثانية
في كسر من الثانية

Expressing urgency

لا تضيع ثانية
كل ثانية مهمة
ليس لدينا ثانية
في نفس الثانية

Cooking and Instructions

لمدة ثلاثين ثانية
اغله لثوانٍ
حركه كل ثانية
دقيقة وثلاثون ثانية

Inicios de conversación

"هل تعتقد أن كل ثانية في حياتنا محسوبة؟"

"كم ثانية يمكنك أن تحبس أنفاسك تحت الماء؟"

"ما هو أسرع شيء يمكنك القيام به في ثانية واحدة؟"

"هل شعرت يوماً أن ثانية واحدة غيرت مجرى حياتك؟"

"لماذا تبدو الثواني طويلة جداً عندما ننتظر شيئاً؟"

Temas para diario

اكتب عن موقف شعرت فيه أن الثواني تمر كالساعات.

صف حدثاً مهماً في حياتك وقع في كسر من الثانية.

لو كان بإمكانك إيقاف الزمن لثانية واحدة، ماذا ستفعل؟

كيف تدير وقتك؟ هل تهتم بالثواني أم بالدقائق فقط؟

اكتب قصة قصيرة تبدأ بجملة: 'تبقت عشر ثوانٍ فقط'.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Because it is a 'defective noun' (اسم منقوص). In Arabic grammar, nouns ending in a 'yaa' preceded by a kasra drop the 'yaa' when they are indefinite and in the nominative or genitive case. Since numbers 3-10 take a genitive plural, we write خمس ثوانٍ.

No, 'ثانيات' is grammatically incorrect for the unit of time. The only correct plural is ثوانٍ. 'ثانيات' might be used rarely as the plural of the feminine ordinal number, but never for time.

You can simply say 'ثانية' (thāniya). To emphasize 'one', you say 'ثانية واحدة' (thāniya wāhida). The adjective واحدة must be feminine to match the noun.

It is acceptable in casual situations with friends or equals. However, in formal situations or with elders, it is more polite to say 'لحظة من فضلك' (one moment please).

Arabic has a rule called 'reverse gender agreement' for numbers 3-10. Because the singular noun ثانية is feminine, the number used to count it must be masculine. Hence, ثلاث (masculine) ثوانٍ.

It literally translates to 'in a fraction of a second'. It is an idiom used to describe something that happens extremely quickly or suddenly, like a lightning strike or a sudden realization.

In Modern Standard Arabic, it is pronounced like the 'th' in the English word 'think'. Place your tongue between your teeth. In many local dialects, it is pronounced as an 's' or a 't'.

ثانية is a second (1/60 of a minute). دقيقة is a minute (60 seconds). However, in slang, people might use either word to simply mean 'a short wait'.

For numbers 11 to 99, you use the singular accusative form 'ثانيةً'. For example, 20 seconds is 'عشرون ثانيةً'.

Yes, absolutely. It is the standard scientific unit for time in Arabic, just as in English. You will see it in physics formulas, like 'متر في الثانية' (meters per second).

Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas

writing

Write 'one second' in Arabic.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Noun + feminine adjective.