خالة
khālah
The English phrase "aunty" translates to Arabic as خالة (khālah).
خالة is used specifically to refer to the sister of one's mother. To say "my aunt", you add the possessive suffix -ī to the end of the word, resulting in خالتي.
Which one should you use?
While khālah refers to a maternal aunt, the word ammatun refers specifically to a paternal aunt.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of خالة is خالات, which is used to refer to maternal aunts.
How do you pronounce it?
khālah
When do people say it?
In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the term خالة is used as a respectful title for older women even if they are not biologically related to the speaker.
Did you know?
- The word خالة shares a linguistic root with the word for 'uncle' on the mother's side, خال, meaning the maternal side of the family is grouped together linguistically.
- Calling a stranger خالة is not just a sign of respect, but a way to create an immediate sense of familial intimacy and trust in social settings.
- In some dialects, the term خالة is used specifically to refer to a godmother or a woman who takes a protective, maternal role over a child.
Examples in context
- مساء الخير يا عمة! كيف حالك اليوم؟Good evening, Aunty! How are you today?
Example conversation
Ziad is talking to Sara about her family.
- سارة Saraهل ستزورين خالة مريم اليوم؟Hal sata-zureena khalat Maryam al-yawm?Will you visit aunty Maryam today?
- زياد Ziadنعم، سأذهب مع أمي.Na'am, sa-adhhab ma'a ummi.Yes, I will go with my mother.
- سارة Saraهل خالة مريم تسكن هنا؟Hal khalat Maryam taskun huna?Does aunty Maryam live here?
- زياد Ziadنعم، هي تسكن في الشارع التالي.Na'am, hiya taskun fi ash-shari' at-tali.Yes, she lives on the next street.
