12 Months in Arabic Plus Beginner’s Guide To The Islamic Months
Understanding the names of the months in Arabic is essential for anyone looking to improve their language skills, especially if you’re planning to travel, engage in business, or simply expand your cultural knowledge.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the months in the Gregorian calendar as they are used in Arabic-speaking countries, as well as the Islamic (Hijri) calendar months, which have significant importance in the Muslim world.
Gregorian Calendar Months in Arabic
The Gregorian calendar is widely used around the world, including in Arabic-speaking countries. Here’s a list of the months in Arabic along with their transliterations:
| Months | Months in Arabic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| January | يناير | Yanayir |
| February | فبراير | Fibrayir |
| March | مارس | Maaris |
| April | أبريل/إبريل | Abreel/ibreel |
| May | مايو | Mayu |
| June | يونيو/يونيه | Yunyu/Yunya |
| July | يوليو/يوليه | Yulyu/Yulia |
| August | أغسطس | Ugustus |
| September | سبتمبر | Sibtambir |
| October | أكتوبر | Uktubar |
| November | نوفمبر | Nufambir |
| December | ديسمبر | Disambir |
READ: 50 Colors in Arabic: A Vibrant Vocabulary Guide
January in Arabic
January in Arabic is written as يناير (Yanāyir). This word is a transliteration, meaning it has been adapted from the Latin name for January to fit the sounds and script of the Arabic language.
- The first letter “ي” (ya) corresponds to the English letter “y.”
- The second letter “ن” (nun) corresponds to the English letter “n.”
- The third letter “ا” (alif) is a vowel similar to the English letter “a.”
- The fourth letter “ي” (ya) again corresponds to “y.”
- The last letter “ر” (ra) corresponds to the English letter “r.”
This form, يناير (Yanāyir), is used across Arabic-speaking countries, including the Arab world and some regions in Africa.
February in Arabic
February in Arabic is فبراير (Febrāyir). Like January, this word is a transliteration of the Latin name, adjusted for Arabic pronunciation.
March in Arabic
March in Arabic is مارس (Māris). The name is adapted from Latin, with slight changes to suit the Arabic script and pronunciation.
April in Arabic
April in Arabic is أبريل (Abrīl). The Arabic version includes a glottal stop, represented by the letter “ء” (hamza), and replaces the “v” sound with “ب” (ba).
May in Arabic
May in Arabic is مايو (Māyū). The Arabic name has been slightly modified, substituting the English “y” with the Arabic letter “و” (waw).
June in Arabic
June in Arabic is يونيو (Yūniyū). The word is borrowed from the English name “June,” with adjustments to fit the Arabic phonology and script.
July in Arabic
July in Arabic is يوليو (Yūliyū). The name has been adapted to fit the Arabic language, replacing the French “j” sound with the Arabic letter “ي” (ya).
August in Arabic
August in Arabic is أغسطس (Aghusṭus). The Arabic form has unique sounds, such as “غ” (ghain), which doesn’t have a direct English equivalent.
September in Arabic
September in Arabic is سبتمبر (Sibtambir). The name is based on the Latin word “septem,” meaning “seven,” as it was originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar.
October in Arabic
October in Arabic is أكتوبر (Uktūbar). The word comes from the Latin “octo,” meaning “eight,” since it was the eighth month in the ancient Roman calendar.
November in Arabic
November in Arabic is نوفمبر (Nufimbir). This name is derived from the Latin “novem,” meaning “nine,” reflecting its original position as the ninth month.
December in Arabic
December in Arabic is ديسمبر (Dīsambir). The word comes from the Latin “decem,” meaning “ten,” as December was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar.
This simplified explanation shows how the names of the months in Arabic are derived and adapted from their Latin counterparts, making them easier to pronounce and write in Arabic.
Islamic Months Names In English and Arabic (Hijri)
The Hijri calendar is used for Islamic religious events, like the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast.
This calendar is used in the Arabic-speaking world and is based on the moon. It has 12 months, and each month starts with the sighting of the new moon.
The Hijri calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar is based on the sun and also has 12 months, but the lengths of the months can vary.
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar used predominantly for Islamic religious purposes. Here are the months in the Islamic calendar:
| Arabic | Pronunciation |
| مُحَرَّمُ | Muharram |
| صَفَرُ | Safar |
| رَبِيْعُ الْأَوَّلِ | Rabi’ al-Awwal |
| رَبِيْعُ الثَّانِي | Rabi’ al-Thani |
| جُمَادَى الْأُوْلَىٰ | Jumada al-Ula |
| جُمَادَى الْآخِرَةُ | Jumada al-Akhirah |
| رَجَبُ | Rajab |
| شَعْبَانُ | Sha’ban |
| رَمَضَانُ | Ramadan |
| شَوَّالُ | Shawwal |
| ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ | Dhu al-Qadah |
| ذُو الْحِجَّةِ | Dhu al-Hijjah |
Meanings of Arabic Months in Order
Muharram Meaning in English
Muharram means “forbidden.” It is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is considered sacred. During Muharram, fighting is not allowed. The tenth day of this month is known as ‘Ashura.’
Safar Muharram Meaning in English
Safar means “void.” It was named because, in pre-Islamic times, Arab homes were often empty as people traveled to find food. Another explanation is that homes were left empty after battles.
Rabi’ al-Awwal
Rabi’ al-Awwal means “the first spring.” It refers to the time when cattle were grazed. This month is known for the birth of Prophet Muhammad, though celebrating his birthday is considered an innovation by some Muslims. It is a time for reflection on his teachings.
Rabi’ al-Thani
Rabi’ al-Thani means “the second spring.” This month does not have major religious events or observances.
Jumada al-Ula
Jumada al-Ula means “the first of parched land.” It is associated with pre-Islamic summer. The name might come from the idea of freezing water during this time or from the dry, shifting weather.
Jumada al-Akhirah
Jumada al-Akhirah means “the last of parched land.” Like Jumada al-Ula, this month is named for its dry and unstable weather.
Rajab
Rajab means “respect” or “honor.” It is one of the holiest months. The name might also come from a verb meaning “to remove,” as pre-Islamic Arabs would stop fighting during this time.
Sha’ban
Sha’ban means “scattered.” It is a month of preparation for Ramadan. The name might refer to the dispersal of Arab tribes in search of water or its position between Rajab and Ramadan.
Ramadan
Ramadan means “burning heat.” This is the month of fasting, where Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset. It is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, and charity. The name reflects the burning feeling of hunger and the heat of the sun.
Shawwal
Shawwal means “raised.” This month marks the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. It is a time for feasting and celebration with family and friends.
Dhu al-Qadah
Dhu al-Qadah means “the one of truce” or “sitting.” It is a holy month when fighting is not allowed, although self-defense is permitted. This month is a time to prepare for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah means “the one of pilgrimage.” This is the month of the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims travel to Mecca for the pilgrimage, and it includes Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of the Sacrifice.”
The Hajj occurs on the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of this month, with the Day of Arafah on the 9th. Eid al-Adha starts on the 10th and lasts until sunset on the 12th.
Conclusion
Whether you’re learning Arabic for travel, religious purposes, or simply out of curiosity, knowing the names of the months in both the Gregorian and Islamic calendars is an essential part of your language toolkit.
The Gregorian months are widely used in daily life, while the Islamic months hold deep religious significance for Muslims worldwide. By mastering these, you’ll be able to understand and participate more fully in conversations, cultural events, and religious practices in Arabic-speaking contexts.
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to talk about dates and months with confidence in Arabic!
