عمة
'amma
The Arabic word for paternal aunt is عمة ('amma).
The term عمة is used to refer to the sister or sister-in-law of someone's father.
Meaning: the sister or sister-in-law of someone's father (noun)
Which one should you use?
While عمة refers specifically to a paternal aunt, the word خالة is used to refer to a maternal aunt.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my paternal aunt', you can add the suffix '-i' to the word to create عمتي. The plural form of عمة is عمات.
How do you pronounce it?
'amma
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, calling a woman عمة is a common way to show respect to a stranger or an elder woman, even if she is not actually your aunt.
- In Arabic, the root letters of عمة are the same as the word for 'paternal uncle', عم. This reflects a linguistic system where family roles are grouped by the side of the family they represent.
- In traditional Arabic kinship systems, the عمة was historically viewed as a primary link to the father's tribal identity and ancestral lineage.
