زوج الأم
zawj al-umm
The English phrase 'step dad' is translated into Arabic as زوج الأم (zawj al-umm).
The phrase is used to refer to the man who is married to a person's mother but is not their biological father.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of zawj (husband), al- (the) and umm (mother).
How do you pronounce it?
zawj al-umm
Did you know?
- The term zawj originates from the Aramaic word for 'yoke' and the Ancient Greek zeûgos, which referred to the yoke used to join oxen.
- Arabic does not have a single word for 'step' like English does. Instead, it uses a possessive construction where zawj al-umm identifies the man specifically by his relationship to the mother.
- While zawj al-umm is the formal term, it is common in many Arabic-speaking cultures to call a step-father abi ('my father') as a gesture of affection and respect.
Examples in context
- هو زوج الأم الجديد.huwa zawju al-ummi al-jadid.He is the new step dad.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Layla are talking about their families.
- أحمد Ahmedمن هو هذا الرجل في الصورة يا ليلى؟Man huwa hadha ar-rajul fi as-suurah ya Layla?Who is this man in the photo, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaهذا هو زوج الأم، هو شخص طيب.Hadha huwa zawju al-umm, huwa shakhsun tayyib.This is my step dad, he is a kind person.
- أحمد Ahmedهل هو يسكن في نفس المدينة؟Hal huwa yaskunu fi nafs al-madinah?Does he live in the same city?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، هو يسكن معنا في المنزل.Na'am, huwa yaskunu ma'ana fi al-manzil.Yes, he lives with us in the house.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries زوج, CC BY-SA 4.0.
