Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| خت | kht | |
| ختي | khti | my sister, also a term of affection |
| أختي | okhti | more careful speech |
Moroccans most often use the possessive form ختي (khti), 'my sister'. Among close friends it also works as a warm way to address a woman, similar to saying 'sis' in English.
What does it mean word for word?
خت is the Darija form of the Standard Arabic أخت (ukht), with the first vowel dropped, a common Darija shortening.
Which one should you use?
خت alone is used when talking about someone else's sister, as in خت مريم, 'Mariam's sister'. ختي means specifically 'my sister'. The Standard Arabic أختي is also understood in more careful speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ختي fits both casual and polite contexts, since Darija has no separate formal word for 'sister'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word and its pronunciation are the same across Morocco.
How does it change in a sentence?
Change the ending for other people: خته (khtu) is 'his sister', ختها (khtha) is 'her sister'.
How do you pronounce it?
The kh is a rough sound made at the back of the throat, and the vowel is very short, almost one syllable: 'kht'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Saying أخت the Standard Arabic way in conversation sounds textbook. Moroccans drop the first vowel and say خت or ختي.
When do people say it?
Calling a close female friend ختي is a common sign of affection in Morocco even without any family tie, much like calling a friend 'sis' in English.
Did you know?
- In Morocco it is common to call a close friend ختي even with no family tie, the same way English speakers say 'sis'.
- خت drops the first vowel of the Standard Arabic أخت, a shortening typical of many everyday Darija nouns.
Examples in context
- ختي ساكنة فالرباط.khti sakna f Rrbat.My sister lives in Rabat.
- كنتكلم مع ختي كل نهار.kantkellem m3a khti kol nhar.I talk to my sister every day.
- شافتي ختي؟shefti khti?Did you see my sister?
Example conversation
Imane introduces her sister Salma to her friend Yassine.
- Imaneهادي ختي سلمى.hadi khti Salma.This is my sister Salma.
- Yassineتشرفنا، لاباس عليك؟tsherrafna, labas alik?Nice to meet you, are you well?
- Salmaلاباس الحمد لله، وانت؟labas lhamdulillah, w nta?Fine thank God, and you?
- Yassineبخير بزاف، فرحان بالمعرفة.bikhir bzzaf, ferhan b lma3rifa.Very good, happy to meet you.
