الأخ والأخت
al-akh wal-ukht
The English phrase "brother and sister" is translated into Arabic as الأخ والأخت (al-akh wal-ukht).
This phrase is used to refer to two siblings, one male and one female, who share the same parents.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "the brother and the sister" because the definite article al- is attached to both nouns.
How does it change in a sentence?
The conjunction wa (often written as part of the following word) functions as "and" to join the two siblings. If you wish to say "a brother and a sister" instead of "the brother and the sister," you remove the al- prefix from both words to get akh wa ukht.
How do you pronounce it?
al-akh wal-ukht
Did you know?
- The word أخت ('sister') is used in the phrase أخت في الرضاعة to describe a 'sister through breastfeeding', a kinship tie recognized in traditional Islamic law.
- The Arabic language has specific terms for 'maternal brother' (أخ لأمي) and 'paternal brother' (أخ لأبي) to clearly distinguish the lineage.
- In a social context, referring to a stranger as يا أخي ('my brother') or يا أختي ('my sister') is a common way to be polite and friendly when asking for help.
Examples in context
- الأخ والأخت يلعبان في الحديقة.al-akh wa al-ukht yal'abān fī al-hadīqa.The brother and sister are playing in the garden.
- هل الأخ والأخت في المدرسة؟hal al-akh wa al-ukht fī al-madrasa?Are the brother and sister at school?
- الأخ والأخت يحبان القراءة.al-akh wa al-ukht yuhibbān al-qirā'a.The brother and sister love reading.
Example conversation
Sara and Ahmed are looking at a family photo album.
- سارة Saraمن هؤلاء الأطفال في هذه الصورة؟Man ha'ula' al-atfal fi hadhihi al-sura?Who are these children in this picture?
- أحمد Ahmedهذا هو الأخ والأخت في صغرهما.Hadha huwa al-akh wa al-ukht fi sigharihima.This is the brother and sister when they were young.
- سارة Saraإنهما يبدوان لطيفين جداً!Innahuma yabduwan latifayni jiddan!They look very cute!
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، كانا مقربين جداً.Na'am, kana kana muqarribayni jiddan.Yes, they were very close.
