אבא שלי
aba sheli
In Hebrew, the phrase for "my father" is אבא שלי (aba sheli).
The phrase אבא שלי is used to refer to the male parent of the speaker. While אבא שלי specifies the relationship in a sentence, the term אבא is a traditional and affectionate way to say "father" or "dad".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun אבא (father) and the possessive pronoun שלי (mine/my), meaning "father mine".
Which one should you use?
You use אבא שלי to specify that you are talking about your own father, but when you are addressing him directly or speaking about him in a familiar context, one often uses just אבא.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For high-register speech or writing, the formal and literary version אבי is used.
How do you pronounce it?
aba sheli
Did you know?
- The root of אבא is shared with the word for 'father' in Arabic, أب, and is a remnant of a common Proto-Semitic ancestor.
- In modern Israel, אבא is used not only for biological fathers but also as a term of endearment for a grandfather or an older male mentor.
- The common word for 'father', אבא, is actually a loanword from Aramaic rather than being the original Hebrew word.
Examples in context
- אבא שלי לא בבית.My father isn't at home.This sentence is useful for stating that אבא שלי is not at home.Tatoeba #1368102 by Eldad, translation #1079091 by keira_n
- אבא שלי גר בכפר.My father lives in the country.This sentence is useful for stating that אבא שלי lives in the country.Tatoeba #1468710 by Eldad, translation #319305 by CK
- אבא שלי די שמרן.My father is a little old-fashioned.This sentence is useful for describing אבא שלי as old-fashioned.Tatoeba #5994997 by fekundulo, translation #2889415 by AlanF_US
- 101 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noa and Itai are talking about their families at a park.
- נועה Noaאבא שלי אוהב ללכת בפארק.Abba sheli ohev lalechet bafark.My father loves walking in the park.
- איתי Itayגם אבא שלי אוהב טבע.Gam abba sheli ohev teva.My father also loves nature.
- נועה Noaזה נחמד מאוד.Ze nekhmad me'od.That is very nice.
- איתי Itayכן, הוא אדם טוב.Ken, hu adam tov.Yes, he is a good man.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אבא, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
