أخ
akhstandard
The word for "brother" is أخ (akh) in Lebanese Arabic. To say "my brother" people usually use خيي (khayyi), which also works as a friendly way to address a man.
Meaning: a brother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أخ | akh | standard |
| خيي | khayyi | my brother, casual |
A sister is أخت (ukht). Friends say يا خيي (ya khayyi) to each other much like "bro" in English.
Which one should you use?
خيي (khayyi) is the spoken form of أخي (akhi), "my brother", with the first sound dropped.
Did you know?
- The plural of أخ (akh) is إخوة (ikhwe), which also covers brothers and sisters together in some contexts.
Examples in context
- عندي أخ واحدʿindi akh wāḥedI have one brother.
- خيي أكبر منيkhayyi akbar minniMy brother is older than me.
- شو في يا خيي؟shu fī ya khayyi?What is up, bro?
Example conversation
Two brothers, Elie and Tony, talk on the phone.
- Elieألو، شو في يا خيي؟allō, shu fī ya khayyi?Hello, what is up, bro?
- Tonyكتير منيح، وإنت؟ktīr munīḥ, w ente?Very good, and you?
- Elieتمام، بدي شوفك السبتtamām, biddi shūfak es-sabtFine, I want to see you on Saturday.
