حماة
haméLebanese
In Lebanese Arabic a mother-in-law is حماة (hamé), and حماتي (hamati) means "my mother-in-law".
Meaning: the mother of your spouse (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| حماة | hamé | Lebanese |
| حماتي | hamati | Lebanese, my mother in law |
The same word is used whether she is the mother of your husband or your wife. People usually add the possessive, as in حماتي بتطبخ منيح (hamati bitetbokh mnih), "my mother-in-law cooks well".
When do people say it?
In Lebanese humor the حماة (hamé) is a popular character, much like in many other cultures, but in real life most people address her warmly as ماما (mama) or طنط (tante).
Did you know?
- The word حماة (hamé) is the same in many Levantine dialects, and a married couple uses it for the other spouse's mother.
Examples in context
- حماتي إجت لعنا.hamati ejet la3ena.My mother-in-law came to our place.
- بحب حماتي.bhebb hamati.I love my mother-in-law.
Example conversation
Rola tells her friend Dina about the visit of her husband's mother.
- Rolaحماتي جاية عالغدا.hamati jeye 3al-ghada.My mother-in-law is coming for lunch.
- Dinaشو رح تطبخي؟shu rah tetbokhi?What will you cook?
- Rolaكبة بالصينية.kibbe bis-siniye.Baked kibbeh.
