Arabic – Talking About Yourself and Your Family Arabic Beginner Lesson- 40 – Learn Arabic Free Online
Arabic – Talking About Yourself and Your Family Arabic Beginner Lesson- 40 – Learn Arabic Free Online
Arabic – Talking About Yourself and Your Family
When you meet someone for the first time, you want to get to know a little
more about them. One of the best ways to get acquainted with the person
you’re talking to is by finding out more about his or her ‘usra (oos-rah; the
family). The ‘usra is one of the best topics of conversation because it generates
a lot of interest and endless conversation. Table 4-1 lists some important
members of the ‘usra who may come up in casual conversation.
Table 4-1 All in the Family
Arabic Pronunciation Translation
‘ab ah-b father
‘um oo-m mother
waalidayn wah-lee-day-en parents
64 Part II: Arabic in Action
Arabic Pronunciation Translation
‘ibn ee-ben son
bint bee-net daughter
‘abnaa’ ah-ben-aah children
zawj zah-weh-j husband
zawja zah-weh-jah wife
‘akh ah-kh-eh brother
‘ukht oo-khe-t sister
jadd jah-d grandfather
jadda jah-dah grandmother
Hafiid hah-feed grandson
Hafiida hah-fee-dah granddaughter
‘amm ahm paternal uncle (father’s
brother)
‘amma ah-mah paternal aunt (father’s sister)
khaal kah-l maternal uncle (mother’s
brother)
khaala kah-lah maternal aunt (mother’s
sister)
zawj al-’amma zah-weh-j al-ah-mah paternal aunt’s husband
zawjat al-’amm zah-weh-jaht al-ahm paternal uncle’s wife
zawj al-khaala zah-weh-j al-kah-lah maternal aunt’s husband
zawjat al-khaal zah-weh-jaht al-kah-l maternal uncle’s wife
‘ibn al-’amm ee-ben al-ahm male cousin from the father’s
side
bint al-’amm bee-net al-ahm female cousin from the
father’s side
‘ibn al-khaal ee-ben al-kah-l male cousin from the mother’s
side
‘ibn al-khaala bee-net al-kah-lah female cousin from the
mother’s side
(continued)
Chapter 4: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk 65
Table 4-1 (continued)
Arabic Pronunciation Translation
‘ahl az-zawj ahel az-zah-weh-j in-laws (M; collective)
‘ahl az-zawja ahel az-zah-weh-jah in-laws (F; collective)
Hamou hah-mooh father-in-law
Hamaat hah-maht mother-in-law
silf see-lef brother-in-law
silfa see-leh-fah sister-in-law
rabboun rah-boon stepfather
rabba rah-bah stepmother
‘akh min al-’ab ah-kh-eh min al-ah-b stepbrother from the father’s
side
‘ukht min al-’ab oo-khe-t min al-ah-b stepsister from the father’s
side
‘akh min al-’umm ah-kh-eh min al-oo-m stepbrother from the mother’s
side
‘ukht min al-’umm oo-khe-t min al-oo-m stepsister from the mother’s
Arabic – Talking About Yourself and Your Family Arabic Beginner Lesson- 40 – Learn Arabic Free Online