والدين
wālidayn
In Arabic, the phrase for "parents" is والدين (wālidayn).
The term refers specifically to the father and mother of a person.
How does it change in a sentence?
This suffix specifically refers to exactly two people (the father and the mother). The form والدين (wālidayn) is the accusative or genitive case version, which is used when the word is the object of a verb or follows a preposition. The nominative case version, used when the word is the subject of a sentence, is والدان (wālidān).
How do you pronounce it?
wālidayn
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the concept of 'filial piety' is so strong that the Quran explicitly commands people not to say أف ('uff') to their والدين. This tiny sound, similar to a sigh or a huff, is considered a forbidden act of disrespect.
- The root of والدين is the same as the word for 'birth' or 'bringing into existence'. While 'parents' in English describes a relationship, the Arabic term emphasizes the act of giving life.
- Arabic uses a 'dual' grammatical number for والدين that is separate from both singular and plural. While English only has 'one' or 'more than one', Arabic has a specific form used exclusively for pairs.
Examples in context
- وُلد سامي عند والدين مراهقين.Sami was born to teenaged parents.This sentence is useful for showing how to use والدين in a sentence.Tatoeba #6967875 by OsoHombre, translation #5989341 by OsoHombre
Example conversation
Ahmed and Nour are talking about their family plans.
- أحمد Ahmedهل ستسافرين لرؤية والدينكِ؟Hal satusāfirīna li-ru'yati wālidayniki?Are you traveling to see your parents?
- نور Nourنعم، سأزورهم في نهاية الأسبوع.Na'am, sa-azūruhum fī nihāyati al-usbūț.Yes, I will visit them at the end of the week.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا رائع، أنا أشتاق إلى والديّ أيضًا.Hādhā rā'iț, ana ashtāqu ilā wālidayya ayḍan.That's great, I miss my parents too.
- نور Nourأتمنى أن تراهم قريبًا يا أحمد.Atamannā an tarāhum qarīban yā Ahmed.I hope you see them soon, Ahmed.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
