أستاذي
ustadhī
The English phrase 'my teacher' is translated into Arabic as أستاذي (ustadhī).
The phrase is used to refer to a person who teaches the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the noun ustādh (teacher/professor) and the possessive suffix -ī (my).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
أستاذي is a respectful and formal way to address or refer to a teacher or professor. Another formal way to refer to your teacher is مُعَلِّمِي.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female teacher, the feminine suffix -ah is added before the possessive suffix, resulting in أستاذتي.
How do you pronounce it?
ustadhī
Did you know?
- The word أستاذ is actually a loanword that entered Arabic from Persian, where it originally meant 'master'.
- In some dialects, calling someone أستاذ can be used sarcastically to mock someone who is acting overly formal or pretentious.
- In many Arabic-speaking countries, أستاذ is used as a polite title for any educated man, even if he is not your teacher.
Examples in context
- أستاذي طيب جداً.Ustādhī ṭayyib jiddan.My teacher is very kind.
- سألت أستاذي عن الدرس.Sa'altu ustādhī 'an al-dars.I asked my teacher about the lesson.
- أستاذي ساعدني في الامتحان.Ustādhī sā'adanī fī al-imtiḥān.My teacher helped me with the exam.
Example conversation
Maryam and Ziyad are talking about their studies at school.
- مريم Maryamهل تحب أستاذي الجديد؟Hal tuḥibbu ustādhī al-jadīd?Do you like my new teacher?
- زياد Ziadنعم، أستاذك رائع حقاً.Na'am, ustādhuka rā'i' ḥaqqan.Yes, your teacher is truly wonderful.
- مريم Maryamأستاذي يشرح الدروس بوضوح.Ustādhī yashraḥ al-durūs bi-wuḍūḥ.My teacher explains the lessons clearly.
- زياد Ziadهذا جيد جداً يا مريم.Hādhā jayyid jiddan yā Maryam.That is very good, Maryam.
