Meaning
Indicating that an action happened three times.
Cultural Background
The number three is a 'Sunnah' number. Many ritual acts, like washing during Wudu or saying certain prayers (Tasbih), are traditionally done three times. Traditional Bedouin law states that a guest can stay for three days (Haqq al-Difa) before the host is no longer obligated to provide free food and shelter. Similar to Western fairy tales, Arabic stories often involve three brothers, three wishes, or three trials to complete a quest. The phrase 'الثالثة ثابتة' is used to encourage someone that their third attempt at something will finally be successful.
The Finger Rule
If you can count it on three fingers, use 'ثلاث مرات'. It's for discrete, countable events.
Gender Trap
Don't add the 'ة' to 'ثلاث'. It's the most common mistake for intermediate learners.
Meaning
Indicating that an action happened three times.
The Finger Rule
If you can count it on three fingers, use 'ثلاث مرات'. It's for discrete, countable events.
Gender Trap
Don't add the 'ة' to 'ثلاث'. It's the most common mistake for intermediate learners.
Dialect Shortcut
In almost all dialects, you can say 'tlat marrat'. It's universally understood and easier to pronounce.
The Magic 3
If you want to sound more native when you're frustrated, say 'قلت لك ثلاث مرات!' (I told you three times!) even if you only said it twice.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'three times'.
أشرب الماء _______ في اليوم.
We use 'ثلاث' (masculine) because 'مرة' is feminine, and we use the plural 'مرات'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in Modern Standard Arabic?
Choose the correct sentence:
This follows the reverse gender agreement and plural noun rule.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
الطبيب: كم مرة تأخذ الدواء؟ المريض: آخذه _______، في الصباح والظهر والمساء.
The context mentions morning, noon, and evening, which equals three times.
Match the frequency to the situation.
If you are talking about a habit you do every 8 hours, you do it...
24 hours divided by 8 hours equals 3 times.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement Rule
Practice Bank
4 exercisesأشرب الماء _______ في اليوم.
We use 'ثلاث' (masculine) because 'مرة' is feminine, and we use the plural 'مرات'.
Choose the correct sentence:
This follows the reverse gender agreement and plural noun rule.
الطبيب: كم مرة تأخذ الدواء؟ المريض: آخذه _______، في الصباح والظهر والمساء.
The context mentions morning, noon, and evening, which equals three times.
If you are talking about a habit you do every 8 hours, you do it...
24 hours divided by 8 hours equals 3 times.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIn Arabic, numbers 3-10 have reverse gender agreement. Since 'marra' (time) is feminine, the number 'three' must be masculine (thalāth).
No. For 'three o'clock', use 'الساعة الثالثة' (al-sā'a al-thālitha).
It is neutral and used in all registers, from medical textbooks to casual texting.
The plural is 'marrāt' (مرات).
You say 'ثلاث مرات في الأسبوع' (thalāth marrāt fī al-usbū').
In classical Arabic, you can use 'ثلاثاً' (thalāthan), but 'ثلاث مرات' is much more common today.
No, the meaning is identical across the Arab world, though pronunciation varies.
It's better to use 'ثلاثة أضعاف' (thalāthata ad'āf) for comparisons of size.
This is the dialect version. In many dialects, the 'th' sound (θ) becomes a 't' sound.
Yes, the concept of doing things three times or the number three appears frequently in religious texts.
You say 'لقد قلتُ لك ذلك ثلاث مرات بالفعل'.
Yes, 'كرات' (karrāt) is a more formal/literary synonym for 'marrāt', but it is rare in daily speech.
Related Phrases
مرة واحدة
similarOnce
مرتين
similarTwice
عدة مرات
similarSeveral times
مراراً وتكراراً
builds onRepeatedly
ثلاثة أضعاف
specialized formThreefold / Triple
