ארבעה

Hebrew

Etymology

Root
ר־ב־ע

From Proto-Semitic *ʾarbaʿ-.

Numeral

אַרְבָּעָה ('arba'á) m (construct אַרְבַּעַת־, feminine אַרְבַּע)

  1. four

Usage notes

  • In Modern Hebrew, when the numbers three through ten modify a definite masculine noun and are directly preceding it, the construct form is used:
    אַרְבָּעָה סְפָרִים'arba'á s'farímfour books
    אַרְבַּעַת הַסְּפָרִים'arbá'at has'farímthe four books
  • The construct form is not used for higher numbers ending in four, such as twenty-four:
    עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה הַסְּפָרִים'esrím v'arba'á has'farímthe twenty-four books
  • In colloquial Modern Hebrew, the form אַרְבַּע ('árba') is often used regardless of gender.

Coordinate terms

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