في المرتبة الرابعة
fi al-martabah al-rabi'ah
In the fourth place
Literally: In the fourth rank
In 15 Seconds
- Used to rank items or people in the fourth position.
- Common in sports, business, and academic contexts.
- Pair with verbs like 'came' or 'occupied' for full sentences.
Meaning
This phrase is used to describe something that holds the fourth position in a ranking, hierarchy, or list. It is the perfect way to talk about standings in sports, business, or even your personal priorities.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a sports race
جاء العداء المغربي في المرتبة الرابعة.
The Moroccan runner came in fourth place.
Ranking personal priorities
المال يأتي في المرتبة الرابعة بالنسبة لي.
Money comes in fourth place for me.
Business market report
تحتل شركتنا المرتبة الرابعة في السوق المحلي.
Our company occupies the fourth rank in the local market.
Cultural Background
In the Arab world, finishing in the 'Top 4' of a major tournament (like the Asian Cup or African Cup) is often referred to as reaching the 'Golden Square' (المربع الذهبي). It is a point of significant national pride. Rankings in schools are highly competitive. Being 'الرابع على الفصل' (4th in the class) is a prestigious title, often celebrated with family gatherings. Classical scholars often categorized knowledge or spiritual states into levels. The 'fourth rank' might refer to a specific stage of spiritual attainment in Sufi or philosophical texts. Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia frequently cite their positions in global indices (innovation, ease of doing business) to show progress. 'في المرتبة الرابعة' is a common phrase in these government reports.
Gender Match
Always check the noun. If you use 'المركز' (masculine), change it to 'الرابع'. If 'المرتبة' (feminine), use 'الرابعة'.
Don't skip 'Al'
In rankings, we almost always use the definite article. 'في مرتبة رابعة' sounds like 'in a fourth rank' (vague), not 'the fourth rank'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to rank items or people in the fourth position.
- Common in sports, business, and academic contexts.
- Pair with verbs like 'came' or 'occupied' for full sentences.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as your go-to for ranking anything. It places an item or person exactly at number four. It is not the podium, but it is still high up. You are talking about a specific order here. It implies there is a list or a competition involved.
How To Use It
You usually pair this with verbs like جاء (came) or حلّ (occupied/landed). For example, if your favorite football team didn't quite make the top three, you would say they finished في المرتبة الرابعة. It functions as an adverbial phrase of place or status. You can use it for people, companies, or abstract ideas.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing results. It is great for academic contexts, like class rankings. It is also very common in news reports about the economy or sports. If you are ranking your favorite foods, this phrase works perfectly too. It sounds polished and clear.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical locations like floors in a building. For the fourth floor, you must use الطابق الرابع. Also, avoid using it for dates. If you want to say 'the fourth of July,' this phrase will sound very strange. It is strictly for hierarchy and rankings.
Cultural Background
In the Arab world, academic and professional rankings are highly valued. Being in the top ten is a point of pride. This phrase is a staple in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) media. It reflects a culture that pays close attention to order and status. While the top three get the glory, the fourth spot is often seen as the 'best of the rest.'
Common Variations
You will often hear في المركز الرابع (in the fourth center/spot). This is almost identical in meaning. In casual Egyptian or Levantine dialects, people might just say الرابع (the fourth) to save time. However, في المرتبة الرابعة remains the most elegant and professional way to say it.
Usage Notes
This is a high-frequency phrase in formal writing and news. It is grammatically stable and rarely changes across regions, making it a safe bet for any professional context.
Gender Match
Always check the noun. If you use 'المركز' (masculine), change it to 'الرابع'. If 'المرتبة' (feminine), use 'الرابعة'.
Don't skip 'Al'
In rankings, we almost always use the definite article. 'في مرتبة رابعة' sounds like 'in a fourth rank' (vague), not 'the fourth rank'.
Verbs to pair
Pair this phrase with 'حلّ' (to land), 'جاء' (to come), or 'احتلّ' (to occupy) for a native-sounding sentence.
Examples
6جاء العداء المغربي في المرتبة الرابعة.
The Moroccan runner came in fourth place.
A standard way to report sports results.
المال يأتي في المرتبة الرابعة بالنسبة لي.
Money comes in fourth place for me.
Shows how the phrase works for abstract priorities.
تحتل شركتنا المرتبة الرابعة في السوق المحلي.
Our company occupies the fourth rank in the local market.
Very common in corporate presentations.
للأسف، فريقي في المرتبة الرابعة الآن.
Unfortunately, my team is in fourth place now.
Casual use in a competitive context.
تنظيف البيت في المرتبة الرابعة من مهامي اليوم، وربما لن أفعل ذلك!
Cleaning the house is fourth on my tasks today, and I probably won't do it!
Using ranking to joke about procrastination.
حصلت ابنتي على المرتبة الرابعة في مسابقة العلوم.
My daughter achieved fourth place in the science competition.
Expressing pride in a high ranking.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the ordinal number.
جاءت دبي في المرتبة _______ كأكثر المدن زيارة.
'المرتبة' is feminine, so it requires the feminine ordinal 'الرابعة'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct and formal?
Select the best option:
This option correctly uses the definite article, the feminine gender, and the ordinal form.
Complete the dialogue between a reporter and an athlete.
المراسل: مبروك على الأداء! ما هو ترتيبك النهائي؟ اللاعب: شكراً لك، لقد حللتُ _______.
'حللتُ في المرتبة الرابعة' is the standard formal way to state one's rank.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate context.
Context: A formal report on global education rankings.
Reports require the formal MSA phrase 'في المرتبة الرابعة'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use 'Martaba'
Sports
- • Leagues
- • Races
- • Tournaments
Economy
- • GDP
- • Sales
- • Exports
Practice Bank
4 exercisesجاءت دبي في المرتبة _______ كأكثر المدن زيارة.
'المرتبة' is feminine, so it requires the feminine ordinal 'الرابعة'.
Select the best option:
This option correctly uses the definite article, the feminine gender, and the ordinal form.
المراسل: مبروك على الأداء! ما هو ترتيبك النهائي؟ اللاعب: شكراً لك، لقد حللتُ _______.
'حللتُ في المرتبة الرابعة' is the standard formal way to state one's rank.
Context: A formal report on global education rankings.
Reports require the formal MSA phrase 'في المرتبة الرابعة'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth are correct. 'المركز الرابع' is more common in sports, while 'المرتبة الرابعة' is more common in general lists and formal reports.
Yes, you can say 'هو في المرتبة الرابعة في عائلته' (He is 4th in his family/rank).
Use 'الطابق الرابع'. We don't use 'مرتبة' for floors.
The plural is 'Maratib' (مراتب).
Yes, but often shortened. In Egyptian, you'd just say 'الرابع'.
Not necessarily. In a global ranking of 200 countries, being 4th is excellent!
No, for time use 'الساعة الرابعة' (4 o'clock) or 'الرابع من مايو' (May 4th).
It can be for beginners. Practice by making a slight constriction in your throat.
You say 'مكرر' (repeated), e.g., 'في المرتبة الرابعة مكرر'.
The root R-T-B is not in the Quran, but the root R-B-A (four) is very common.
Related Phrases
المركز الرابع
synonymThe fourth center/position
في الصدارة
contrastIn the lead / top position
تراجع إلى
builds onTo retreat/fall back to
المربع الذهبي
specialized formThe Golden Square
