إخوة وأخوات
ikhwah wa-akhawāt
The English phrase "brothers and sisters" is translated into Arabic as إخوة وأخوات (ikhwah wa-akhawāt).
This phrase is used to refer to male and female siblings who share the same parents. In many Arabic contexts, the masculine plural إخوة (ikhwah) can be used as a collective term to refer to siblings of mixed genders.
What does it mean word for word?
The word إخوة (ikhwah) means brothers and أخوات (akhawāt) means sisters, joined by the conjunction و (wa) meaning and.
How do you pronounce it?
ikhwah wa-akhawāt
Did you know?
- Arabic has a unique way of describing siblings from only one parent using the words أخ لأب for a half-brother on the father's side and أخ لأم for a half-brother on the mother's side.
- In Arabic, the word إخوة (ikhwah) can refer specifically to full blood brothers or to a general group of siblings. However, the word إخوان (ikhwān) is typically used to describe brothers in a spiritual, political or ideological sense.
- In many parts of the Arab world, calling a stranger أخي (akhi), meaning 'my brother', is a common way to get someone's attention politely. It is a cultural way of establishing instant rapport and friendliness between men.
Examples in context
- لديهم إخوة وأخوات كثيرون.ladayhim ikhwatun wa akhawatun kathirun.They have many brothers and sisters.
- هل لديك إخوة وأخوات؟hal ladayka ikhwatun wa akhawatun?Do you have brothers and sisters?
Example conversation
Yusuf and Maryam are talking about their families.
- يوسف Youssefهل لديكِ إخوة وأخوات؟hal ladayki ikhwatun wa akhawatun?Do you have brothers and sisters?
- مريم Maryamنعم، لدي أخت واحدة.na'am, ladayya ukhtun wahida.Yes, I have one sister.
- يوسف Youssefوأنا لدي إخوة وأخوات.wa ana ladayya ikhwatun wa akhawatun.And I have brothers and sisters.
- مريم Maryamكم عددهم؟kam 'adaduhum?How many are they?
