أهلاً أمي
ahlan ummī
The English phrase "hi mom" is translated into Arabic as أهلاً أمي (ahlan ummī).
أهلاً أمي is an informal greeting used when speaking to one's mother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
أهلاً أمي is an informal greeting and is suitable for a casual interaction between a child and their mother. While أهلاً أمي is informal, you may encounter the more formal Marhaban Ya Ummi to mean "Hello, my mother."
How do you pronounce it?
ahlan ummī
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of using the literal 'hi' translation, a child might greet their mother by saying 'Ya Sitt al-Kull', which translates to 'O lady of everyone'.
- The word أهلاً is actually a shortened version of a phrase meaning 'you have come to your people', suggesting the guest is treated as family.
- In some Arabic-speaking cultures, it is considered more respectful to kiss the hand of the mother while saying a greeting rather than just using words.
Examples in context
- أهلاً أمي، كيف حالك؟ahlan ummi, kayfa haluki?Hi mom, how are you?
- أهلاً أمي، لقد عدت من المدرسة.ahlan ummi, laqad udtu min al-madrasa.Hi mom, I am back from school.
- أهلاً أمي، هل أنتِ مشغولة؟ahlan ummi, hal anti mashghula?Hi mom, are you busy?
Example conversation
Youssef comes home from school and sees his mother.
- يوسف Youssefأهلاً أمي، لقد عدت!Ahlan ommi, laqad udt!Hi mom, I'm back!
- مريم Maryamأهلاً يا يوسف، كيف كان يومك؟Ahlan ya Youssef, kayfa kana yawmuka?Hi Youssef, how was your day?
- يوسف Youssefكان يوماً رائعاً جداً.Kana yawman ra'i'an jiddan.It was a very great day.
- مريم Maryamأنا سعيدة بسماع ذلك.Ana sa'ida bi-sama' dhalik.I am happy to hear that.
