سيداتي وسادتي
sayyidātī wa-sādatī
The English phrase "ladies and gentlemen" is translated into Arabic as سيداتي وسادتي (sayyidātī wa-sādatī).
This phrase is used to address an audience consisting of both men and women.
Meaning: phrase used to address an audience of men and women (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the words for "my ladies" (sayyidātī) and "my gentlemen" (sādatī) joined by the conjunction "and" (wa).
Which one should you use?
In Arabic, the feminine noun (ladies) is placed before the masculine noun (gentlemen), which is the reverse of the standard English word order.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
سيداتي وسادتي is a formal expression used in settings such as speeches, ceremonies or official announcements.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -ī in both words indicates the first-person singular possessive, which makes the phrase literally "my ladies and my gentlemen".
How do you pronounce it?
sayyidātī wa-sādatī
Did you know?
- The term سيد ('sayyid') is also used as a specific title to denote descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. In these contexts, it is a religious honorific rather than a general term for 'gentleman'.
- While the phrase uses 'my' through the suffix -ī, it is not an expression of personal ownership. Instead, it serves as a stylistic way to show profound respect and intimacy toward the audience, similar to a host welcoming guests into their home.
- Arabic has a unique 'broken plural' system, which is why the masculine 'gentlemen' سادة looks so different from the singular 'sir' سيد. Unlike English, it does not simply add an 's' to the end.
Examples in context
- صباح الخير، سيداتي وسادتيGood morning, ladies and gentlemen.
- مساء الخير، سيداتي وسادتيGood evening, ladies and gentlemen.
- أيها السادة والسيداتLadies and gentlemen.
- سيداتي وسادتي، أهلاً بكم.sayyidātī wa sādati, ahlan bikum.Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.
- سيداتي وسادتي، استمعوا إلي.sayyidātī wa sādati, istami‘ū ilayya.Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me.
- سيداتي وسادتي، العرض سيبدأ الآن.sayyidātī wa sādati, al-‘ard sayabda' al-ān.Ladies and gentlemen, the show will begin now.
Example conversation
Mariam is practicing a speech for a formal event with Ziad.
- مريم Maryamسيداتي وسادتي، يسعدني حضوركم اليوم.Sayyidati wa sadati, yus'iduni hudurukum al-yawm.Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy you are here today.
- زياد Ziadهذه بداية رائعة يا مريم.Hadhihi bidaya ra'i'a ya Mariam.This is a great start, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamهل تبدو نبرة صوتي رسمية بما يكفي؟Hal tabdu nabrat sawti rasmiyya bima yakfi?Does my tone of voice sound formal enough?
- زياد Ziadنعم، إنها مثالية تماماً.Na'am, innaha mithaliya tamaman.Yes, it is absolutely perfect.
