أحبك يا أبي
uḥibbuka yā abī
The English phrase 'I love you, dad' is expressed in Arabic as أحبك يا أبي (uḥibbuka yā abī).
This phrase is an expression of affection spoken to one's father.
Which one should you use?
Using بابا (bābā) instead of أبي (abī) is more informal and common in many spoken dialects and modern settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions have their own colloquial expressions. In Egyptian Arabic, بحبك يا أبويا is used. In Levantine Arabic, أنا بحبك يا أبوي is used.
How do you pronounce it?
uḥibbuka yā abī
Did you know?
- The verb أحبك is derived from the root حب (ḥubb), which is also the word for 'seed' in Arabic.
- Depending on the dialect, saying 'I love you' to a father might be replaced by the phrase الله يخليك لي (Allah yukhallīka lī), which means 'May God keep you for me'.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, a child might show this affection by kissing their father's hand or forehead rather than just saying the words.
Examples in context
- أنت رائع، أحبك يا أبي.anta rā'i', uhibbuka ya abī.You are wonderful, I love you, dad.
- شكراً على كل شيء، أحبك يا أبي.shukran 'ala kull shay', uhibbuka ya abī.Thank you for everything, I love you, dad.
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are visiting their father at home.
- زياد Ziadكيف حالك يا أبي؟kayfa hāluka ya abī?How are you, dad?
- نور Nourأنا بخير، شكراً لكما.ana bikhayr, shukran lakumā.I am fine, thank you both.
- زياد Ziadأحبك يا أبي.uhibbuka ya abī.I love you, dad.
- نور Nourوأنا أيضاً أحبك يا ابنتي.wa ana aydan uhibbuki ya ibnati.And I love you too, my daughter.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أحبك, CC BY-SA 4.0.
