أحبك يا أمي
uḥibbuki yā ummī
The phrase "I love you, mama" in Arabic is أحبك يا أمي (uḥibbuki yā ummī).
This phrase is an expression of affection spoken to one's mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains the vocative particle يا (yā), which is used to call out to someone and is similar to the "O" used in poetic English.
Which one should you use?
The phrase uḥibbuki yā ummī is the standard way to address a mother, whereas uḥibbuka would be used for a male recipient.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form uḥibbuki uses the feminine suffix -ki to address a female.
How do you pronounce it?
uḥibbuki yā ummī
Did you know?
- In many parts of the Arab world, a child might say يا ست الكل (ya sitt al-kull), meaning 'O lady of everyone', to show profound respect and love to their mother.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, showing love to a mother often involves much more than words, such as kissing her hand or her forehead as a sign of respect and devotion.
- The word for 'mother', أُمّ, shares its linguistic roots with the word for 'nation', أُمَّة.
Examples in context
- أُحِبُّكِ يَا أُمِّي.I love you, my mother.
- أَنَا بِحِبَّكِ يَا أُمَّاه.I love you, mama.
- أحبك يا أمي، شكراً لكِ.uḥibbu ki yā ummī, shukran laki.I love you, mama, thank you.
- أريد أن أقول لكِ، أحبك يا أمي.urīdu an aqūla laki, uḥibbu ki yā ummī.I want to tell you, I love you, mama.
Example conversation
Omar is giving a handmade gift to his mother, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamما هذا يا عمر؟Ma hadha ya Omar?What is this, Omar?
- عمر Omarهذه هدية لكِ، أحبك يا أمي.Hadhihi hadiyya laki, uhibbuki ya ummi.This is a gift for you, I love you, mama.
- مريم Maryamيا لك من ولد طيب!Ya laka min walad tayyib!What a kind boy you are!
- عمر Omarشكراً يا أمي.Shukran ya ummi.Thank you, mama.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أحبك, أمي, CC BY-SA 4.0.
