صهر
sihr
The English phrase brother-in-law is صهر (sihr) in Arabic.
صهر refers to the brother of one's spouse or the husband of one's sibling.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Egyptians commonly use the term جوز الأخت to mean brother-in-law.
How do you pronounce it?
sihr
Did you know?
- The word صهر is also the root for the Arabic word meaning 'melting' or 'smelting' metal. It metaphorically suggests that marriage 'melts' two separate families into one cohesive unit.
- While صهر is the formal term, if you use it in a casual conversation in many Arab countries, people might assume you are talking about a 'son-in-law' rather than a brother-in-law.
- In some Levantine social contexts, calling someone your صهر can imply a high level of respect and formal social bonding between two clans.
Examples in context
- أنا ممتن لأخ الزوج الذي يدعمني دائمًا.I am grateful for the brother-in-law who always supports me.
- هل صهرك سيحضر الحفلة؟Will your brother-in-law attend the party?
- هو صهر العائلة الجديد.huwa ṣahru al-'ā'ilati al-jadīd.He is the new brother-in-law of the family.
- قابلتُ صهري في الحفلة.qābaltu ṣahri fī al-ḥaflah.I met my brother-in-law at the party.
- هل صهرك يسكن هنا؟hal ṣahruka yaskunu hunā?Does your brother-in-law live here?
Example conversation
Youssef and Sarah are discussing family members at a cafe.
- يوسف Youssefهل رأيتِ صهركِ اليوم؟hal ra'ayti ṣahraki al-yawm?Did you see your brother-in-law today?
- سارة Saraنعم، لقد جاء لزيارتي.na'am, laqad jā'a li-ziyāratī.Yes, he came to visit me.
- يوسف Youssefهذا رائع يا سارة.hādhā rā'i' ya Sarah.That is wonderful, Sarah.
- سارة Saraإنه شخص طيب جداً.innahu shakhṣun ṭayyibun jiddan.He is a very kind person.
