ܐܒܘܢ
avun
The English phrase "our father" is translated into Aramaic as ܐܒܘܢ (avun).
This phrase is used as the name for the Lord's Prayer.
Meaning: Lord's Prayer (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the root ܐܒ (av), which means 'father' and the suffix -ܘܢ (-un), which means 'our'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chaldean Aramaic, the phrase is written as Abuna.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is avun.
Did you know?
- In many Middle Eastern Christian communities, the word Abuna is used as a direct title of respect for a priest, much like the English word 'Father'.
- The script used to write ܐܒܘܢ evolved from the Phoenician alphabet, making the visual form of the word a descendant of one of the world's first phonetic scripts.
- Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Near East for centuries, meaning the words in ܐܒܘܢ would have been understood by people across diverse empires and ethnicities.
Examples in context
- ܐܒܘܢ ܕܒܫܡܝܐAbun d-bashmayyaOur father in heaven.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a prayer service.
- ܣܪܓܝ Sargiܓܒܪܐܝܠ, ܐܒܘܢ ܨܠܝܬ?Gabriel, Abun salyath?Gabriel, did you pray the Our Father?
- ܓܒܪܐܝܠ Gabrielܐܝܢ, ܣܪܓܝ, ܨܠܝܬ.In, Sargi, salyath.Yes, Sargi, I prayed it.
- ܣܪܓܝ Sargiܐܒܘܢ ܛܒ ܝܠܗܝ.Abun tab ilahi.The Our Father is good.
- ܓܒܪܐܝܠ Gabrielܐܝܢ, ܛܒ ܝܠܗܝ.In, tab ilahi.Yes, it is good.
