أبانا
abana
The phrase "our father" in Arabic is أبانا (abana).
أبانا is used as a name or title, most notably in the context of the Lord's Prayer. In formal liturgical settings, it is often seen in the phrase أَبَانَا الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ.
Meaning: Lord's Prayer (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the noun ab, meaning "father" and the first-person plural possessive suffix -na, meaning "our".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form أبانا is the construct state of the word ab (father) combined with the suffix -na (our).
How do you pronounce it?
abana
When do people say it?
Arabic-speaking Christians commonly use the phrase أَبَانَا الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ during prayer and religious services.
Did you know?
- The phrase أَبَانَا الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ uses the plural 'heavens' (السَّمَاوَاتِ) instead of the singular 'heaven', mirroring the ancient Semitic view of multiple layers of the sky.
- In colloquial dialects, using أبو followed by a name is a common way to identify a man by his eldest son's name, such as 'Abu Salim'.
- Across the Middle East, the word أب ('father') is a linguistic relative to the Aramaic word for 'father', the language spoken by Jesus and his disciples.
Examples in context
- نقرأ صلاة أبانا.Naqra'u salata Abana.We recite the Our Father prayer.
- بدأت الصلاة بكلمة أبانا.Badat al-salatu bi-kalimat Abana.The prayer started with the word Our Father.
- نحن نحب صلاة أبانا.Nahnu nuhibbu salata Abana.We love the Our Father prayer.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a religious service at a church.
- أحمد Ahmedهل حفظتِ صلاة أبانا؟Hal hafizti salata Abana?Have you memorized the Our Father prayer?
- سارة Saraنعم، حفظتها يا أحمد.Na'am, hafiztuha ya Ahmad.Yes, I memorized it, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedهي صلاة جميلة جداً.Hiya salatun jamilatun jiddan.It is a very beautiful prayer.
- سارة Saraحقاً، هي تريح قلبي.Haqqan, hiya turih qalbi.Truly, it comforts my heart.
