الأول
الأول 30秒了解
- The primary Arabic word for 'first', used for masculine nouns and ranking.
- Requires gender agreement, becoming 'al-ūlā' for feminine nouns like 'marra' (time).
- Can be used as an adjective following a noun or preceding it in an Idafa.
- Essential for dates, grades, sports rankings, and sequencing thoughts with 'awwalan'.
The Arabic word الأول (al-awwal) is a fundamental ordinal adjective that translates primarily to 'first' in English. It is derived from the root (أ-و-ل), which carries the core meaning of returning to a beginning or being at the forefront. In Arabic grammar, this word functions as an adjective and must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and definiteness. For masculine nouns, we use الأول, and for feminine nouns, we use الأولى (al-ūlā). This word is ubiquitous in daily life, appearing in contexts ranging from simple counting and dates to philosophical discussions about origins and primacy.
- Chronological Order
- Used to denote the start of a sequence, such as the first day of the month or the first time something happens. Example: 'اليوم الأول' (The first day).
- Rank and Competition
- In sports or academics, it signifies the top position. To be 'al-awwal' in class means to be the top-ranked student.
- Theological Significance
- In Islamic theology, 'Al-Awwal' is one of the 99 Names of Allah, meaning 'The First' who has no beginning, emphasizing eternal existence.
كان هذا هو اللقاء الأول بينهما في القاهرة.
Understanding the nuances of 'الأول' requires recognizing its role in the 'Idafa' construction and its adjectival placement. Unlike English where 'first' usually precedes the noun (e.g., 'first book'), in Arabic, the adjective follows the noun: 'الكتاب الأول' (The book the first). However, in certain poetic or emphatic structures, it can precede, though this is less common in modern standard Arabic. For learners, mastering the feminine form 'الأولى' is equally important, as it follows a different morphological pattern (the 'fu'lā' pattern), which is common for superlative and ordinal adjectives in the feminine gender.
حصلت على المركز الأول في المسابقة.
Furthermore, the word is used in various temporal expressions. 'للمرة الأولى' (for the first time) is a fixed phrase every learner should memorize. It also appears in 'أولاً' (awwalan), which means 'firstly' or 'first of all,' used frequently in presentations and structured speech to list points. The plural form 'الأوائل' (al-awā'il) refers to 'the first ones' or 'the pioneers,' often used to describe early scholars or the top achievers in an examination. This versatility makes 'الأول' one of the most high-frequency words in the Arabic language, essential for navigating both basic conversations and complex texts.
في الصف الأول، نتعلم الحروف.
هذا هو انطباعي الأول.
Using الأول correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as a 'Sifa' (adjective). In Arabic, the adjective follows the noun it describes and mimics its properties. If the noun is definite (has 'Al-'), the adjective must also have 'Al-'. If the noun is masculine, the adjective is masculine. Let's explore various sentence structures where this word is pivotal.
- Noun-Adjective Agreement
- The most common use. 'الولد الأول' (The first boy). Here, 'الأول' follows 'الولد' and matches its definiteness and gender.
- In the Idafa Construction
- Sometimes 'أول' (without Al-) is used as the first part of an Idafa to mean 'the first of...'. Example: 'أول يوم' (The first day/First of days). Note that 'يوم' is indefinite here.
كان أول من وصل إلى الحفل.
When describing time, 'الأول' is essential. For example, 'الشهر الأول' (the first month) or 'العام الأول' (the first year). In the context of the Islamic calendar, we see it in the names of months like 'ربيع الأول' (Rabi' al-Awwal) and 'جمادى الأولى' (Jumada al-Ula). Notice how the gender changes based on the month's name. 'Rabi' is masculine, while 'Jumada' is feminine. This subtle shift is a hallmark of advanced proficiency.
هذه هي الخطوة الأولى نحو النجاح.
In comparative contexts, 'الأول' can also imply 'the best' or 'the primary'. For instance, 'الهدف الأول' can mean 'the first goal' (scored in a match) or 'the primary goal' (the main objective of a project). Context is key to distinguishing between chronological order and order of importance. In news headlines, you might see 'المقام الأول' (the first place/priority), as in 'مصلحة المواطن في المقام الأول' (The citizen's interest is the top priority).
من هو اللاعب الأول في العالم؟
Finally, consider the adverbial form 'أولاً' (awwalan). It is used to sequence thoughts. 'أولاً، يجب أن ندرس' (Firstly, we must study). It is often followed by 'ثانياً' (secondly) and 'ثالثاً' (thirdly). This is a vital tool for academic writing and formal speaking. Even in casual speech, someone might say 'أولاً وأخيراً' (first and last / ultimately) to emphasize a point that overrides all others.
سأذهب إلى البنك أولاً ثم إلى السوق.
You will encounter الأول in almost every facet of Arab life. From the moment a child starts school to the highest levels of political discourse, the concept of 'the first' is central. In the educational system, students strive to be 'الأول على الفصل' (the first in the class), a title of great prestige in many Arab cultures where academic excellence is highly celebrated.
- News and Media
- News anchors frequently use it to report on 'الأنباء الأولى' (the first news/breaking news) or 'الرد الأول' (the first response) to a political event.
- Sports Commentary
- In football (soccer), you'll hear 'الشوط الأول' (the first half) and 'الهدف الأول' (the first goal) constantly throughout a broadcast.
انتهى الشوط الأول بالتعادل.
In religious contexts, 'الأول' is heard in the recitation of the 99 Names of Allah and in historical accounts of 'الأوائل في الإسلام' (the first ones to embrace Islam), who are held in high esteem. During the month of Ramadan, people talk about 'اليوم الأول' (the first day) of fasting with a mix of anticipation and spiritual focus. Even in modern technology, 'الإصدار الأول' (the first version/edition) of a software or a book is a common phrase.
كانت هذه هي المرة الأولى التي أسافر فيها.
On the street, you might hear directions like 'أول شارع على اليمين' (the first street on the right). In shops, 'العرض الأول' (the first offer/premiere) or 'الدفعة الأولى' (the first batch/installment) are phrases used in commerce. The word also permeates literature and cinema; many movie titles or book chapters start with 'الفصل الأول' (Chapter One). It is a word that anchors the listener in time and space, providing a starting point for any narrative or sequence.
اقرأ أول صفحة من الكتاب.
Learning to use الأول correctly can be tricky for English speakers because of the gender and definiteness rules in Arabic. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid as you progress from A2 to higher levels.
- Gender Mismatch
- Using 'الأول' for feminine nouns. Incorrect: 'السيارة الأول'. Correct: 'السيارة الأولى'. Remember that 'الأولى' is the feminine counterpart.
- Definiteness Error
- Forgetting the 'Al-' when the noun is definite. Incorrect: 'الولد أول'. Correct: 'الولد الأول'. If the noun has 'Al-', the adjective must have it too.
خطأ: القصة الأول. صح: القصة الأولى.
Another common mistake is confusing 'الأول' (first) with 'واحد' (one). While 'one' is a cardinal number used for counting quantity, 'الأول' is an ordinal number used for ranking or sequence. You wouldn't say 'I have the first car' if you mean 'I have one car'. Similarly, beginners often struggle with the word order. In English, we say 'the first lesson', but in Arabic, it is 'الدرس الأول' (the lesson the first). Reversing this order is a frequent error for those translating directly from English.
خطأ: الأول الولد. صح: الولد الأول.
Lastly, learners often forget the plural form 'الأوائل'. When talking about 'the first students' or 'the first people', using 'الأولون' is grammatically possible but 'الأوائل' is much more common and natural in modern usage. Mispronouncing the 'hamza' at the beginning or the 'waw' with a shadda (aw-wal) can also lead to misunderstandings, as the emphasis on the double 'w' is essential for the word's identity.
هم من الأوائل في هذا المجال.
While الأول is the standard word for 'first', Arabic offers several synonyms and related terms that carry specific nuances depending on the context. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker.
- البدائي (Al-Bida'i)
- Means 'primitive' or 'initial'. While 'الأول' is about sequence, 'البدائي' is about the state of being at the very beginning of development.
- السابق (Al-Sabiq)
- Means 'previous' or 'former'. If you are talking about the 'first' of two things mentioned earlier, you might use 'السابق'.
- الأساسي (Al-Asasi)
- Means 'basic' or 'fundamental'. Often used when 'first' implies the most important or the foundation of something.
هذا هو المبدأ الأساسي للعمل.
In some contexts, 'مبتدئ' (mubtadi') is used to describe a 'beginner' or someone at the 'first' stage of learning. While 'الأول' describes the stage itself (المرحلة الأولى), 'مبتدئ' describes the person. Another interesting alternative is 'طليعة' (tali'a), which means 'vanguard' or 'forefront'. This is used in more formal or literary contexts to describe those who are 'first' in a movement or a physical line.
هو في طليعة المثقفين.
When discussing the 'first' in a series of events, 'استهلال' (istihlal) can be used to mean 'opening' or 'commencement'. For example, 'الكلمة الاستهلالية' is the 'opening/first speech'. Using these varied terms allows for more precise expression. However, for an A2 learner, 'الأول' remains the most versatile and safe choice for almost any situation involving the concept of 'first'.
كانت الخطوة التمهيدية ضرورية.
How Formal Is It?
趣味小知识
The word 'Al-Awwal' is one of the names of God in Islam, signifying existence before time itself. Interestingly, the feminine form 'Ula' follows a completely different morphological pattern (fu'la) than the masculine (af'al).
发音指南
- Pronouncing it as 'a-wal' without the double 'w' (shadda).
- Mispronouncing the initial 'al' as 'el'.
- Failing to pronounce the final 'l' clearly.
- Confusing the feminine 'ula' with 'awwal'.
- Pronouncing the 'aw' like 'oh'.
难度评级
Easy to recognize, but must distinguish from similar roots.
Requires remembering the 'hamza' and the feminine 'ula' spelling.
Simple to pronounce once the 'shadda' is mastered.
High frequency makes it easy to pick out in conversation.
接下来学什么
前置知识
接下来学习
高级
需要掌握的语法
Noun-Adjective Agreement
الولد الأول (The first boy) - both are masculine and definite.
Feminine Ordinal Pattern
البنت الأولى (The first girl) - uses the 'fu'lā' pattern.
Idafa with 'Awwal'
أول يوم (First day) - 'awwal' acts as the first part of the possessive structure.
Adverbial Accusative
أولاً (Firstly) - uses the 'tanween fatha' for adverbial use.
Definiteness in Adjectives
كتاب أول (A first book) vs الكتاب الأول (The first book).
按水平分级的例句
هذا هو اليوم الأول.
This is the first day.
Masculine agreement with 'yawm'.
أنا في الصف الأول.
I am in the first grade.
Adjective follows the noun 'saff'.
هذه هي المرة الأولى.
This is the first time.
Feminine agreement with 'marra'.
أين الكتاب الأول؟
Where is the first book?
Definite noun 'al-kitab' needs definite adjective 'al-awwal'.
أول ولد في الصف هو علي.
The first boy in the class is Ali.
Idafa construction: 'awwal' precedes the indefinite noun.
هذا هو الدرس الأول في الكتاب.
This is the first lesson in the book.
Standard noun-adjective order.
أنا أسكن في الطابق الأول.
I live on the first floor.
Ordinal number used for floors.
البنت الأولى اسمها سارة.
The first girl's name is Sarah.
Feminine agreement 'al-bint al-ula'.
وصلت إلى المركز الأول في السباق.
I reached the first place in the race.
Used to denote rank.
أولاً، يجب أن نأكل الفطور.
Firstly, we must eat breakfast.
Adverbial form 'awwalan' for sequencing.
كان هذا انطباعي الأول عن المدينة.
This was my first impression of the city.
Abstract noun 'intiba' (impression) with 'al-awwal'.
قرأت الجزء الأول من الرواية.
I read the first part of the novel.
Masculine agreement with 'juz' (part).
هذه هي المحاولة الأولى لي.
This is my first attempt.
Feminine agreement with 'muhawala'.
سافرت إلى لندن في العام الأول من زواجي.
I traveled to London in the first year of my marriage.
Temporal use of 'al-awwal'.
من هو الشخص الأول الذي رأيته؟
Who is the first person you saw?
Relative clause following the ordinal.
هذا هو الخبر الأول في النشرة.
This is the first news item in the bulletin.
Masculine agreement with 'khabar'.
يعتبر هذا المشروع الخطوة الأولى نحو التغيير.
This project is considered the first step towards change.
Metaphorical use of 'first step'.
كان من الأوائل الذين دخلوا الجامعة.
He was among the first who entered the university.
Use of the plural 'al-awa'il'.
الحب الأول لا ينسى أبداً.
First love is never forgotten.
Common abstract expression.
سجل الفريق الهدف الأول في الدقيقة العاشرة.
The team scored the first goal in the tenth minute.
Sports context.
علينا التركيز على الهدف الأول للشركة.
We must focus on the primary goal of the company.
Meaning 'primary' or 'main'.
منذ اللحظة الأولى، عرفت أنني سأنجح.
From the first moment, I knew I would succeed.
Temporal phrase 'al-lahza al-ula'.
هذا هو الإصدار الأول من البرنامج.
This is the first version of the software.
Technical context.
كان ربيع الأول شهراً مباركاً.
Rabi' al-Awwal was a blessed month.
Islamic calendar month name.
تقع المسؤولية في المقام الأول على عاتق الإدارة.
The responsibility lies primarily on the shoulders of the management.
Idiomatic phrase 'fi al-maqam al-awwal'.
كانت المبادرة الأولى من نوعها في المنطقة.
The initiative was the first of its kind in the region.
Describing uniqueness.
نحن بحاجة إلى نظرة أولية قبل اتخاذ القرار.
We need a preliminary look before making the decision.
Derived adjective 'awwaliyya' (preliminary).
يعتبر الفكر اليوناني المصدر الأول لهذه الفلسفة.
Greek thought is considered the primary source of this philosophy.
Academic context.
كانت تلك هي الشرارة الأولى للثورة.
That was the first spark of the revolution.
Metaphorical use in history.
أولاً وأخيراً، نحن عائلة واحدة.
First and last (Ultimately), we are one family.
Emphatic adverbial phrase.
حصلت على الجائزة الأولى في مهرجان السينما.
She won the first prize in the film festival.
Formal achievement.
يجب مراعاة حقوق الإنسان في المقام الأول.
Human rights must be considered in the first place.
Legal/Ethical context.
يعد هذا المخطوط من الأوائل التي كُتبت بالخط الكوفي.
This manuscript is among the first written in Kufic script.
Plural 'al-awa'il' in historical context.
إن المبدأ الأول في هذا العلم هو الملاحظة.
The first principle in this science is observation.
Formal scientific definition.
كانت تلك هي اللبنة الأولى في بناء الدولة الحديثة.
That was the first brick in building the modern state.
Metaphorical 'al-labina al-ula'.
تعتبر هذه القصيدة من بواكر إنتاجه الأدبي.
This poem is considered among the early (first) of his literary output.
Related concept 'bawakir' (early/first fruits).
لا بد من الرجوع إلى الأصول الأولى للمسألة.
It is necessary to return to the first origins of the issue.
Plural agreement 'al-usul al-ula'.
كان هو السبّاق والأول في هذا المضمار.
He was the pioneer and the first in this field.
Hendiadys for emphasis.
تجلت الحقيقة منذ الوهلة الأولى.
The truth became clear from the first glance/moment.
Literary phrase 'al-wahla al-ula'.
يمثل هذا الاكتشاف الحلقة الأولى في سلسلة من النجاحات.
This discovery represents the first link in a chain of successes.
Metaphorical 'al-halqa al-ula'.
إن مفهوم 'الأول' في الفلسفة الميتافيزيقية يثير تساؤلات وجودية.
The concept of 'The First' in metaphysical philosophy raises existential questions.
Philosophical terminology.
استخدم الكاتب تقنية الاسترجاع ليعود بنا إلى المشهد الأول.
The writer used the flashback technique to take us back to the first scene.
Literary analysis.
تعتبر هذه النظرية هي النواة الأولى للفيزياء الكمية.
This theory is considered the first nucleus of quantum physics.
Scientific metaphor.
لقد كان من الرعيل الأول الذين أسسوا النهضة.
He was of the first generation who founded the Renaissance.
Classical term 'al-ra'il al-awwal'.
تتسم بواكير أعماله بنزعة رومانسية واضحة.
The first of his works are characterized by a clear romantic tendency.
Advanced plural 'bawakir'.
في البدء كانت الكلمة، وهي المبتدأ والأول.
In the beginning was the word, and it is the start and the first.
Theological/Philosophical use.
تعد هذه الخطوة بمثابة الحجر الأول في صرح التعاون الدولي.
This step is like the first stone in the edifice of international cooperation.
High-level diplomatic rhetoric.
إن الأولوية القصوى تكمن في الحفاظ على السلم الأهلي.
The top priority lies in maintaining civil peace.
Derived noun 'al-awlawiyya' (priority).
常见搭配
常用短语
— Ultimately or 'first and last'. Used to emphasize a final point.
أولاً وأخيراً، نحن أصدقاء.
— At first sight. Usually used for love or quick judgments.
وقع في حبها من النظرة الأولى.
容易混淆的词
Wahid is the number 'one' (quantity), while Awwal is 'first' (order).
Awwalan is the adverb 'firstly', used for sequencing, not as an adjective.
Bidaya is the noun 'beginning', while Awwal is the adjective 'first'.
习语与表达
— The first of the rain is a drop. Meaning: Great things start small.
لا تحقر العمل الصغير، فأول الغيث قطرة.
Literary/Proverb— In the front lines. Meaning: To be a leader or pioneer.
كان دائماً في الصفوف الأولى للدفاع عن الحق.
Formal— From the first generation. Used for founders or pioneers.
هو من الرعيل الأول من المعلمين في القرية.
Formal/Honorific— To lay the first stone. Meaning: To start a major project.
وضع الملك الحجر الأول للمستشفى الجديد.
Formal— At first glance. Used for immediate impressions.
بأول نظرة، يبدو الكتاب صعباً.
Neutral— Top of his class/year. A common academic praise.
تخرج وكان الأول على دفعته.
Neutral— At the very first moment/instant.
ارتبكت في الوهلة الأولى من المقابلة.
Literary容易混淆
Both relate to the number 1.
واحد is cardinal (one book), الأول is ordinal (the first book). You use 'واحد' for counting and 'الأول' for ranking.
عندي كتاب واحد (I have one book). هذا هو الكتاب الأول (This is the first book).
It looks different from 'الأول'.
أولى is simply the feminine form of الأول. It is used with feminine nouns like 'مرة' or 'سيارة'.
هذه هي المرة الأولى (This is the first time).
Similar spelling and sound.
أولي (awwali) means 'primary' or 'preliminary', whereas الأول means 'first' in a sequence.
هذا فحص أولي (This is a preliminary exam).
It's the plural form.
أوائل is used for 'the first ones' or 'pioneers', often referring to people or the beginning of a time period.
هم من أوائل المستكشفين (They are among the first explorers).
Both can mean 'starting'.
ابتدائي refers to the 'elementary' level or 'initial' stage, often used in education or legal contexts.
المدرسة الابتدائية (Elementary school).
句型
هذا هو [Noun] الأول.
هذا هو الدرس الأول.
أنا في [Noun] الأول.
أنا في الصف الأول.
هذه هي المرة الأولى لـ [Verb/Noun].
هذه هي المرة الأولى للسفر.
أولاً، [Sentence].
أولاً، أنا أحب القراءة.
حصلت على المركز الأول في [Noun].
حصلت على المركز الأول في المسابقة.
منذ [Noun] الأول، [Sentence].
منذ اليوم الأول، كنت سعيداً.
في المقام الأول، يجب أن [Verb].
في المقام الأول، يجب أن ندرس.
تعتبر [Noun] هي اللبنة الأولى لـ [Noun].
تعتبر هذه الفكرة هي اللبنة الأولى للمشروع.
词族
名词
动词
形容词
相关
如何使用
Extremely high; within the top 200 words in most frequency lists.
-
السيارة الأول
→
السيارة الأولى
The noun 'car' is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine 'al-ūlā'.
-
أول الولد
→
الولد الأول / أول ولد
If using 'awwal' before the noun, the noun should be indefinite. If after, both should be definite.
-
أنا واحد في الصف
→
أنا الأول في الصف
Use 'al-awwal' for rank (first), not 'wahid' (one).
-
المرة الأول
→
المرة الأولى
'Marra' (time) is a feminine noun and is almost always used with 'al-ūlā'.
-
أولاً أنا ذهبت...
→
أولاً، ذهبت...
While not strictly wrong, 'أولاً' is usually followed by the verb or a comma in formal writing.
小贴士
Gender Matching
Always pair 'الأول' with masculine nouns and 'الأولى' with feminine nouns. This is the golden rule for this word.
Idafa vs Adjective
Decide if you want to say 'The first book' (الكتاب الأول) or 'First book' (أول كتاب). The first is more common for specific items.
Sequencing
Use 'أولاً' (firstly), 'ثانياً' (secondly), and 'ثالثاً' (thirdly) to sound organized when explaining something.
Academic Pride
If you want to compliment a student, say 'أنت الأول!' (You are the first/top!), which is a very high praise.
Sports Context
In football, 'الشوط الأول' (first half) is a key phrase. If you hear it, you know the game is still in its early stage.
Spelling the Feminine
The feminine 'الأولى' ends with an 'Alif Maqsura' (ى), which looks like a 'ya' without dots. Don't add dots!
Root Association
Link 'Awwal' to the English word 'Old' or 'Origin' to remember it relates to the beginning.
Time Expressions
Memorize 'أول أمس' (day before yesterday) as a single unit. It's much easier than trying to translate it word-for-word.
The Shadda
Don't rush the 'w' sound. It's 'aw-wal', not 'awal'. The double 'w' is what gives the word its strength.
Pioneers
When reading history, the word 'الأوائل' (al-awa'il) will often appear. It refers to the great thinkers who started a field.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'Awwal' as 'All Well' at the start. If the 'First' step is 'All Well', the rest will follow. A-W-L.
视觉联想
Imagine a gold medal with the number '1' on it. The medal is shaped like the letter 'Alif' (أ) which starts the word 'Awwal'.
Word Web
挑战
Try to use 'الأول' or 'الأولى' five times today: once for a time, once for a place, once for a person, once for a rank, and once as 'firstly' (أولاً).
词源
Derived from the Arabic triliteral root أ-و-ل (A-W-L). This root is ancient and found in other Semitic languages like Hebrew (El) and Aramaic.
原始含义: The core meaning of the root is 'to return' or 'to go back to the source'. Thus, the 'first' is the source to which things return.
Semitic -> Afroasiatic.文化背景
No specific sensitivities, but when using 'Al-Awwal' in a religious context, it should be treated with the appropriate respect due to its status as a Divine Name.
English speakers often forget the feminine form 'Ula'. In English, 'first' is gender-neutral, so the transition to gendered ordinals is a key learning hurdle.
在生活中练习
真实语境
At School
- الصف الأول
- الدرس الأول
- الأول على الفصل
- الامتحان الأول
In Sports
- المركز الأول
- الشوط الأول
- الهدف الأول
- المباراة الأولى
Travel & Directions
- أول شارع
- الطابق الأول
- المحطة الأولى
- الرحلة الأولى
Time & Dates
- اليوم الأول
- الشهر الأول
- أول أمس
- للمرة الأولى
Business & Legal
- الطرف الأول
- الدفعة الأولى
- الإصدار الأول
- في المقام الأول
对话开场白
"ما هو أول شيء تفعله في الصباح؟ (What is the first thing you do in the morning?)"
"هل تتذكر يومك الأول في المدرسة؟ (Do you remember your first day at school?)"
"من كان حبك الأول؟ (Who was your first love?)"
"ما هو انطباعك الأول عن هذه المدينة؟ (What is your first impression of this city?)"
"هل تحب أن تكون الأول دائماً في كل شيء؟ (Do you like to always be first in everything?)"
日记主题
اكتب عن أول مرة سافرت فيها خارج بلدك. (Write about the first time you traveled outside your country.)
ما هي أولوياتك الأولى في الحياة الآن؟ (What are your primary priorities in life right now?)
صف شعورك عندما حصلت على المركز الأول في شيء ما. (Describe your feeling when you got first place in something.)
اكتب عن أول كتاب قرأته وأثر فيك. (Write about the first book you read that influenced you.)
كيف كان يومك الأول في عملك الحالي؟ (How was your first day at your current job?)
常见问题
10 个问题You say 'المرة الأولى' (al-marra al-ūlā). Since 'marra' (time/occurrence) is feminine, you must use the feminine form of first, which is 'al-ūlā'. In a more casual way, you can also say 'أول مرة' (awwal marra).
'الأول' (with Al-) is the definite adjective 'the first', usually following a noun like 'الولد الأول'. 'أول' (without Al-) is often used in an Idafa construction preceding a noun, like 'أول ولد' (the first boy). Both mean 'first' but the grammar changes.
Yes, for the first day of the month, you use 'الأول'. For example, 'الأول من يناير' (The first of January). For other days, Arabic often uses cardinal numbers (2, 3, 4) in dialects, but MSA uses ordinals.
The feminine form is 'الأولى' (al-ūlā). It is used for any feminine noun, such as 'السيارة الأولى' (the first car) or 'الفكرة الأولى' (the first idea).
Use the adverb 'أولاً' (awwalan). It is the standard way to start a list or sequence of points in formal and semi-formal Arabic.
In some contexts, yes. 'المركز الأول' means first place, which is the best. 'خياري الأول' means my first choice or my preferred choice. So it carries a connotation of being the top or most important.
The most common plural is 'الأوائل' (al-awā'il). It is used to refer to 'the first ones' or 'pioneers' in a field. For example, 'أوائل الطلبة' (the top students).
Yes, as an adjective, it follows the case of the noun it describes. 'الأولُ' (nominative), 'الأولَ' (accusative), 'الأولِ' (genitive). The feminine 'الأولى' is indeclinable (ma bni) and stays the same.
The phrase is 'أول أمس' (awwal ams). It literally means 'the first [day before] yesterday'. It is a fixed expression used throughout the Arabic-speaking world.
Yes, it appears in Surah Al-Hadid (57:3): 'هو الأول والآخر' (He is the First and the Last), referring to God's eternal nature.
自我测试 200 个问题
Write a sentence using 'الأول' to describe your favorite book.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This is the first time I eat Arabic food.'
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Write three sentences using 'أولاً'، 'ثانياً'، 'ثالثاً'.
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Describe your first day at school in three sentences.
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Translate: 'He was the first to arrive at the party.'
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Use 'في المقام الأول' in a sentence about health.
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Explain the meaning of 'أول الغيث قطرة' in your own words.
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Write a formal email opening using 'أولاً'.
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Translate: 'The first impression is the most important.'
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Write a sentence about 'The first half' of a match.
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Use 'الأوائل' in a sentence about history.
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Translate: 'The first party of the contract is the company.'
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Write a sentence using 'منذ اللحظة الأولى'.
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Translate: 'I live on the first floor.'
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Use 'أول أمس' in a sentence.
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Write a sentence about your 'First Love'.
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Translate: 'The first step is always the hardest.'
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Use 'أولاً وأخيراً' in a sentence about family.
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Translate: 'Who is the first student in the class?'
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Write a sentence using 'نظرة أولية'.
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Say 'The first day' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first time' in Arabic.
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Introduce a list by saying 'Firstly...'
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Say 'I am the first in the class.'
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Say 'The day before yesterday' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first half' in a sports context.
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Say 'From the first glance' in Arabic.
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Say 'First and last' in Arabic.
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Say 'In the first place' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first step' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first goal' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first version' in Arabic.
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Say 'The top students' in Arabic.
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Say 'My first impression' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first floor' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first lesson' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first page' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first month' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first attempt' in Arabic.
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Say 'The first news' in Arabic.
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Listen to: 'هذا هو الدرس الأول'. What lesson is it?
Listen to: 'المرة الأولى كانت صعبة'. How was the first time?
Listen to: 'أولاً، افتح الكتاب'. What should you do first?
Listen to: 'سجلنا الهدف الأول'. What happened?
Listen to: 'أول أمس كنت مريضاً'. When was the speaker sick?
Listen to: 'هو الأول على الفصل'. What is his rank?
Listen to: 'منذ اللحظة الأولى عرفته'. When did they recognize him?
Listen to: 'الشوط الأول انتهى'. Is the game over?
Listen to: 'في المقام الأول، الصحة'. What is the priority?
Listen to: 'هذه هي الخطوة الأولى'. What is this?
Listen to: 'أولاً وأخيراً نحن أخوة'. What is the relationship?
Listen to: 'من الوهلة الأولى خفت'. How did they feel at first?
Listen to: 'الطرف الأول وقع العقد'. What did the first party do?
Listen to: 'أوائل الطلبة سيسافرون'. Who will travel?
Listen to: 'هذا انطباعي الأول'. What is being shared?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'الأول' (al-awwal) is the essential ordinal for 'first'. Remember that it must match the noun's gender: 'al-yawm al-awwal' (masculine) vs 'al-marra al-ūlā' (feminine). It is the foundation for sequencing in Arabic.
- The primary Arabic word for 'first', used for masculine nouns and ranking.
- Requires gender agreement, becoming 'al-ūlā' for feminine nouns like 'marra' (time).
- Can be used as an adjective following a noun or preceding it in an Idafa.
- Essential for dates, grades, sports rankings, and sequencing thoughts with 'awwalan'.
Gender Matching
Always pair 'الأول' with masculine nouns and 'الأولى' with feminine nouns. This is the golden rule for this word.
Idafa vs Adjective
Decide if you want to say 'The first book' (الكتاب الأول) or 'First book' (أول كتاب). The first is more common for specific items.
Sequencing
Use 'أولاً' (firstly), 'ثانياً' (secondly), and 'ثالثاً' (thirdly) to sound organized when explaining something.
Academic Pride
If you want to compliment a student, say 'أنت الأول!' (You are the first/top!), which is a very high praise.