أخت كبرى
ukht kubra
The Arabic phrase for "older sister" is أخت كبرى (ukht kubra).
To specify "my older sister", the form changes to أختي الكبرى.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of أخت (sister) and كبرى (older/greater/elder).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective كبرى is the feminine form of أكبر (bigger/older), which matches the feminine noun أخت. When you want to say "my older sister", you add the possessive suffix '-i' to the noun and change the adjective to its definite form: أختي الكبرى.
How do you pronounce it?
ukht kubra
Did you know?
- The word أخت (sister) is frequently used as a respectful way to address any woman, even a stranger, to signal a familial bond and social kinship.
- In several Arabic-speaking cultures, the 'older sister' holds a specific social rank in the household, often acting as a second mother figure to younger siblings.
- The root of أخت is so foundational that it appears in many Semitic languages, making it a linguistic relative to words for 'sibling' in several other ancient languages.
Examples in context
- لي أخت كبرى طيبة.li ukht kubra tayyiba.I have a kind older sister.
Example conversation
Yousef is talking to Maryam about her family.
- يوسف Youssefهل لديكِ أخوة يا مريم؟Hal ladayki ikhwa ya Maryam?Do you have siblings, Maryam?
- مريم Maryamنعم، لدي أخت كبرى.Na'am, ladayya okht kubra.Yes, I have an older sister.
- يوسف Youssefهل هي أكبر منكِ بكثير؟Hal hiya akbar minki bi-kathir?Is she much older than you?
- مريم Maryamلا، هي أكبر مني بسنتين فقط.La, hiya akbar minni bi-sanatayn faqat.No, she is only two years older than me.
