عائلتي
'a'ilati
In Arabic, 'my family' is said as عائلتي ('a'ilati).
This phrase is used to refer to the group of people who are related to the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word عائلتي is composed of the noun عائلة, meaning 'family' and the possessive suffix '-ي' (-i), which means 'my'.
Which one should you use?
While عائلتي refers specifically to the nuclear or immediate family unit, the alternative أهلي is often used to refer to one's kin or people in a broader, more communal sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the common term for 'my family' is عيلتي.
How do you pronounce it?
'a'ilati
Did you know?
- Arabic has a specific set of kinship terms that do not exist in English, such as different words for a 'paternal uncle' and a 'maternal uncle'. This precision reflects the historical importance of lineage in tribal structures.
- The root of the word عائلة is linked to the concept of 'dependency' or 'being supported'. Historically, it refers to those who are 'supported' or 'provided for' by a provider.
- In certain social contexts, calling a group of close friends أهلي is a way to elevate them to the status of family, signaling extreme trust.
Examples in context
- عائلتي مشتركة في جريدة.My family subscribes to a newspaper.This sentence demonstrates the use of عائلتي in the context of a newspaper subscription.Tatoeba #2112081 by Amastan, translation #878480 by Swift
- عملت عملا شاقا لكي أدعم عائلتي.I worked hard in order to support my family.This sentence shows how عائلتي is used when discussing supporting one's family.Tatoeba #3667099 by Alaakhalid, translation #256523 by CK
- انتقلت عائلتي إلى منزل جديد في منطقة القبائل.My family moved to a new house in Kabylie.This sentence illustrates عائلتي being used in a sentence about a family moving to a new house.Tatoeba #10332561 by Amghar, translation #7841978 by Amastan
- أنا أحب أسرتي.I love my family.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ziad and Leila are talking about their weekend plans.
- زياد Ziadسأزور عائلتي في نهاية الأسبوع.Sa-azūru ‘ā’ilatī fī nihāyati al-usbū‘.I will visit my family at the end of the week.
- ليلى Laylaهذا رائع، هل تسكن عائلتك بعيداً؟Hādhā rā’i‘, hal taskunu ‘ā’ilatuka ba‘īdan?That's great, does your family live far away?
- زياد Ziadلا، عائلتي تعيش في المدينة المجاورة.Lā, ‘ā’ilatī ta‘īshu fī al-madīnati al-mujāwirah.No, my family lives in the neighboring city.
- ليلى Laylaأتمنى لك وقتاً ممتعاً معهم.Atamannā laka waqtan mumti‘an ma‘ahum.I wish you a fun time with them.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
