Family in Arabic Words – Vocabulary with Meanings

Family in Arabic Words. These Words based on the Arab traditions, and knowing these words will allow you to enjoy the role the relationships play in our lives. During this blog I will take you through the vocabulary of Family in Arabic Words, the way they are pronounced and how to use them appropriately in a conversation. You will be able to know and pronounce such terms by the end.

Must Read: Best Quranic Arabic Course – QuranMualim

The Core Family Members in Arabic

Let’s start with the immediate family.

1. الأب (al-‘ab) – Father

(pronounced “al-ab”, with a short “a” sound like in “cat”)

Example: أبي يعمل طبيباً (Abi ya’malu tabiban)

2. الأم (al-‘umm) – Mother

(pronounced “al-umm”, with a short “u” sound like in “put”)

Example: أمي طباخة ماهرة (Ummi tabbakhatun mahiratun)

3. الابن (al-ibn) – Son

Example: لدي ابن واحد (Laday ibnun wahidun) – I have one son.

4. الابنة (al-ibna) – Daughter

Example: ابنتي تحب القراءة (Ibnati tuhibbu al-qira’ata)

5. الأخ (al-‘akh) – Brother

(pronounced “al-akh”, with a guttural “kh” sound like in German “Bach”)

Example: أخي يكبرني بسنتين (‘Akhi yakburni bi-sanatayn)

6. الأخت (al-‘ukht) – Sister

(pronounced “al-ukht”, with a guttural “kh” sound)

Example: أختي تدرس في الجامعة (‘Ukhti tadrusu fi al-jami’ati)

7. الزوج (az-zawj) – Husband

(pronounced “az-zawj”, with a voiced “z” sound)

Example: زوجي مهندس (Zawji muhandisun)

8. الزوجة (az-zawja) – Wife

Example: زوجتي معلمة (Zawjati mu’allimatun)

Arabic languages has grammatical genders. Look how there is a difference in the words of son and daughter? This is a significant difference in Arabic grammar and you must remember the genders of the nouns!

Must Read: Learn Arabic Alphabet Chart – QuranMualim

Extended Family in Arabic Words :

جَدّ (jadd)
جَدَّة (jaddah)
عَمّ (ʿamm)
عَمَّة (ʿammah)
خَال (khāl)
خَالَة (khālah)
اِبْن عَمّ (ibn ʿamm)
بِنْت عَمّ (bint ʿamm)
اِبْن خَال (ibn khāl)
بِنْت خَال (bint khāl)

Important Note on Possession:

أَبِي (ʾabī) – My father
أُمِّي (ʾummī) – My mother
أَخِي (ʾakhī) – My brother
أُخْتِي (ʾukhtī) – My sister

Family Members in Arabic: Key Phrases

Now, that you have the vocabulary, we are going to study how to put together to introduce family members in Arabic.

Must Read: Learn Arabic Alphabets – QuranMualim

Simple Introductions:

هَذَا وَالِدِي (Hādhā wālidī.)
هَذِهِ وَالِدَتِي (Hādhihi wālidatī.)
هَذَا أَخِي (Hādhā akhī.)
هَذِهِ أُخْتِي (Hādhihi ukhtī.)

Asking About Family:

In Arab culture it would be extremely polite to inquire as to the family of the person you are greeting.

كَيْفَ الْعَائِلَةُ؟ (Kayfa al-ʿāʾilah?)
كَمْ أَخًا لَدَيْكَ؟ (Kam ʾakhhan ladayka?)
كَمْ أُخْتًا لَدَيْكِ؟ (Kam ʾukhtan ladayki?)

Describing Your Family:

…عَائِلَتِي تَتَكَوَّنُ مِنْ (ʿāʾilatī tatakawwanu min…)
- Example: عَائِلَتِي تَتَكَوَّنُ مِنْ أَبِي وَأُمِّي وَأَخٍ وَأُخْتَيْنِ.

Cultural Nuances: Politeness and Respect

Always keep in mind the Arabic accent of respect and politeness when introducing family members in Arabic or discussing family:

Praise: Complimenting the family members or wishing them well is a normal thing to do.
“Allah Yerḥamha/hu” (اللَّه يَرْحَمُهَا/هُ): In case the parent or the older family member of a person is dead.
Using Proper Titles: In terms of the parents or older generations of someone else, one needs to use words such as Walid (father).

Must Read: Arabic Alphabets Handwriting Worksheets

Tips For Learning Family Vocabulary

Create a Family Tree: Make your own family tree and name each of them with his or her Arabic name.
Flashcards: Prepare flash cards where Arabic word is written on one side and the other side has English translation.
Practice with Native Speakers: Ask your language exchange partners or tutors to present their families and practice presenting yours.
Listen to Arabic Media: Take a note of the way families are talked about in Arabic programs or films.

If you learn to introduce Family in Arabic Words and are familiar with the Arabic words used to describe family members, it will not only increase your vocabulary but you will also be able to get to know better the culture and people of the Arab world. Willing to speak about your family and more in Arabic without any hesitation? Visit www.quranmualim.com.

With our holistic lessons Family in Arabic Words, you can get the key vocabulary, words, useful expressions, and cultural information to enhance your learning in Arabic. Start connecting now! WhatsApp+923017363500