Family is central to Arab culture, and Arabic has a rich vocabulary for family relationships. One unique feature is the distinction between paternal relatives (from the father’s side) and maternal relatives (from the mother’s side). This distinction does not exist in English, so it is important to learn early.
Core Family Members
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| أب | ab | father |
| أم | umm | mother |
| أخ | akh | brother |
| أخت | ukht | sister |
| ابن | ibn | son |
| ابنة | bint | daughter |
| زوج | zawj | husband |
| زوجة | zawja | wife |
Extended Family — Paternal Side
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| جد | jadd | grandfather |
| جدّة | jadda | grandmother |
| عم | 3amm | paternal uncle |
| عمة | 3amma | paternal aunt |
| أخو أم | akhū umm | maternal uncle |
| أخت أم | ukht umm | maternal aunt |
Extended Family — Maternal Side
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| خال | khaal | maternal uncle |
| خالة | khaala | maternal aunt |
More Family Members
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| حفيد | ḥafeed | grandson |
| حفيدة | ḥafeeda | granddaughter |
| عم | 3amm | uncle (paternal) |
| عمة | 3amma | aunt (paternal) |
| خال | khaal | uncle (maternal) |
| خالة | khaala | aunt (maternal) |
Sentences with Family Words
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| هذا أبي | haadha abee | this is my father |
| هذه أمي | haadhihi ummee | this is my mother |
| أخي طبيب | akhī ṭabeeb | my brother is a doctor |
| أختي معلمة | ukhtī mu3allima | my sister is a teacher |
| عندي ثلاثة أبناء | 3indī thalaatha abnā’ | I have three children |
| جدّتي كبيرة | jaddatī kabīra | my grandmother is old |
Cultural Note
In Arab culture, extended family relationships are very important. You will often hear people refer to:
- خالتي (khaāltee) — my maternal aunt (used as a respectful title for any older woman)
- عمي (3am mee) — my paternal uncle (used as a respectful title for any older man)
- أخي (akhee) — my brother (used for close friends, not just siblings)
Practice
What is the difference between 'عم' and 'خال'?
hint: Think paternal vs. maternal
How do you say 'my sister is a teacher' in Arabic?
hint: Use 'أختي' for 'my sister'
What is 'ابنة' in English?
hint: It is the feminine form of 'ابن'
Match each pair — start with Arabic (left)
0 / 8Arabic
English
← Select an Arabic word, then tap its meaning →
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