أخت كبرى
ukht kubrā
In Arabic, the phrase for big sister is أخت كبرى (ukht kubrā).
The phrase is used to refer to a female sibling who is older than another. If you want to say 'my big sister', you would change the phrase to أختي الكبرى by adding the possessive suffix '-ī' to the noun and using the definite form of the adjective.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ukht (sister) and kubrā (the feminine form of big or elder).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective kubrā is the feminine form of akbar (bigger/eldest) used to agree with the feminine noun ukht.
How do you pronounce it?
ukht kubrā
Did you know?
- In some Middle Eastern cultures, referring to a woman as 'my sister' using ukhtī is a way to show high respect even if there is no biological relation.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, a 'big sister' is often viewed as a second mother and carries a social responsibility to guide and protect her younger siblings.
- While أخت كبرى is the literal term, many Arabic speakers use أختي الكبيرة in daily speech, replacing the formal comparative kubrā with the standard adjective for 'big' kabīra.
Example conversation
Nour and Ahmed are talking about their family members.
- نور Nourهل لديك أخت كبرى؟hal ladayka ukht kubrā?Do you have an older sister?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، لدي أخت كبرى واحدة.na'am, ladayya ukht kubrā wāḥida.Yes, I have one big sister.
- نور Nourهل هي لطيفة؟hal hiya laṭīfa?Is she kind?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، هي لطيفة جداً.na'am, hiya laṭīfa jiddan.Yes, she is very kind.
