عزيزي
azizi
In Arabic, "my dear" is translated as عزيزي (azizi).
The phrase is a term of endearment used to address someone you love or care about. It can also be used in more formal correspondence, such as 'Dear [Name]' in a letter.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the adjective aziz (dear/precious) and the first-person singular possessive suffix -i (my).
Which one should you use?
While عزيزي is a common term of endearment, it can also be used in more formal correspondence. For more casual or affectionate settings, other phrases like يا حَبِيبِي (Oh my beloved) or يا غالِي (Oh my precious one) might be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form عزيزي is grammatically masculine and is used when addressing a male. To address a female, the masculine form azizi changes to the feminine form عزيزتي.
How do you pronounce it?
azizi
Did you know?
- The word عزيز also means 'mighty' or 'powerful', a quality often attributed to God in Islam as 'Al-Aziz'.
- In spoken Arabic, people often prefer يا غالي because غالي literally means 'expensive', suggesting the person is a treasure of great monetary or emotional value.
- In many Arabic dialects, عزيزي is rarely spoken aloud in casual conversation and is seen primarily as a 'written' term of endearment for letters and emails.
Examples in context
- بكل سرور, يا عزيزي.With pleasure, my dear.This sentence shows how to use عزيزي in a polite response.Tatoeba #1883047 by Asma, translation #1866687 by Eldad
- يا حبيبي، كيف حالك اليوم؟Oh my dear, how are you today?
- أهلاً يا عزيزي، كيف حالك؟Ahlan ya azizi, kayfa haluka?Hello my dear, how are you?
- شكراً لك يا عزيزي.Shukran laka ya azizi.Thank you, my dear.
Example conversation
Sarah and Omar are talking at home.
- سارة Saraأحبك كثيراً يا عزيزي.Uhibbuka kathiran ya azizi.I love you very much, my dear.
- عمر Omarوأنا أيضاً أحبك يا سارة.Wa ana aydan uhibbuki ya Sarah.And I love you too, Sarah.
- سارة Saraهل تريد شرب القهوة؟Hal turidu shurb al-qahwa?Do you want to drink coffee?
- عمر Omarنعم، من فضلك.Naam, min fadlik.Yes, please.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
