ابني
ibni
The Arabic phrase for "my son" is ابني (ibni).
This phrase is used by a parent to refer to their male child.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ابني is composed of the noun ابن (son) and the first-person singular possessive suffix ي (my).
Which one should you use?
While ابني and ولدي both mean "my son", يا ولدي is specifically used as an informal and affectionate way to address a son.
How does it change in a sentence?
ابني is the singular form. The plural form for "my sons" is أبنائي.
How do you pronounce it?
ibni
Did you know?
- In various dialects, the word ابني can be used as an exclamation of sympathy or comfort, similar to how one might say 'my dear' in English.
- In classical Arabic poetry, calling someone ابني can be a way to establish a mentor-student relationship, signaling a spiritual or intellectual fatherhood.
- In certain legal contexts in historical Arabic documents, ابن was used in a string of names to track ancestry back several generations, functioning like a permanent genealogical marker.
Examples in context
- جاء ابني إلى غرفتي.My son came to my room.This sentence shows the subject ابني performing an action.Tatoeba #377013 by saeb, translation #274374 by CK
- لمَ اتّهم ييدير ابني؟Why did Yidir accuse my son?This sentence illustrates the use of ابني within a question.Tatoeba #11601847 by Amastan, translation #7421267 by Amastan
- أنت لست ابني بعد الآن.You're no longer my son.This sentence shows a sentence using ابني to define a relationship.Tatoeba #11896884 by Safa_Alfulaij, translation #3001001 by Hybrid
- انظر إلى ابني الجميل!Look at my handsome son!
- هذا ولدي الوحيد.This is my only son.
- يا بني، أنت مصدر فخري.Oh, my son, you are a source of pride for me.
- ولدي يعمل في الطب.My son works in medicine.
- لقد رأيتُ اليوم صورة جديدة لابني.I saw a new picture of my son today.
- يا ولدي، أنت رائع وجميل.Oh, my son, you are wonderful and beautiful.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Nour are talking about Omar's child at a cafe.
- عمر Omarابني يحب القهوة كثيراً.ibni yuhibbu al-qahwa kathiran.My son loves coffee very much.
- نور Nourهل هو في الجامعة الآن؟hal huwa fi al-jami'a al-an?Is he at the university now?
- عمر Omarنعم، ابني يدرس في السنة الأولى.na'am, ibni yadrusu fi al-sana al-ula.Yes, my son is studying in his first year.
- نور Nourأتمنى له كل التوفيق.atamanna lahu kulla al-tawfiq.I wish him all the best.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
