حماة
hamah
The Arabic word for mother-in-law is حماة (hamah).
حماة is used to refer to the mother of one's spouse.
Meaning: spouse's mother (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify حماة by adding suffixes to indicate possession. Adding the suffix '-i' results in حماتي, meaning 'my mother-in-law'. Adding '-ak' (masculine) or '-ik' (feminine) results in حماتك, meaning 'your mother-in-law'. Finally, adding '-hum' results in حماتهم, meaning 'their mother-in-law'.
How do you pronounce it?
hamah
Did you know?
- While حماة is the formal term, many Arabic speakers use the word خالة 'maternal aunt' to address their mother-in-law as a sign of affection and respect.
- The word حماة is constructed from the triliteral root ح م و, which relates to the concept of affinity or kinship through marriage.
- Because حماة ends in a 'Ta Marbuta', its final sound actually changes depending on whether you stop speaking at the word or continue to the next one.
Examples in context
- هل حماة عمر موجودة بالمنزل؟hal ḥimāt 'umar mawjūda bil-manzil?Is Omar's mother-in-law at home?
Example conversation
Nour and Omar are talking about a family visit.
- نور Nourمتى سنزور حماة عمر؟mata sanazuru hamat Omar?When will we visit Omar's mother-in-law?
- عمر Omarسنزورها يوم السبت القادم.sanazuruha yawm al-sabt al-qadim.We will visit her next Saturday.
- نور Nourهل تريد أن نشتري لها هدية؟hal turidu an nashtari laha hadiyya?Do you want us to buy her a gift?
- عمر Omarنعم، هي ستحب ذلك كثيراً.na'am, hiya satahibbu dhalika kathiran.Yes, she will love that very much.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries حماة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
