توأم
taw'am
The Arabic word for twins is توأم (taw'am).
The phrase refers to two children born at the same birth.
What does it mean word for word?
The root of the word توأم implies something that is paired, identical or a counterpart.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt and parts of North Africa, the colloquial term التوم is used to refer to twins.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word توأم is a singular noun. To specifically denote a pair of twins, use the dual form توأمان.
How do you pronounce it?
taw'am
Did you know?
- The word has ancient roots stretching back to Akkadian, where the similar word tu'amu was used.
- The concept of a 'twin soul' is expressed in Arabic using توأم الروح, mirroring the English idiom 'soulmate'.
- Because the word implies an identical counterpart, it can be used metaphorically to describe two things that are perfectly matched or inseparable.
Examples in context
- هل هم توأم؟hal hum taw'am?Are they twins?
Example conversation
Sarah and Youssef are looking at a photo of a family.
- سارة Saraانظر يا يوسف، هذان توأم!unzur ya yusuf, hadhan taw'am!Look Youssef, these two are twins!
- يوسف Youssefنعم، إنهما يشبهان بعضهما كثيراً.na'am, innahuma yushbihan ba'dahuma kathiran.Yes, they look very much like each other.
- سارة Saraهل تعرف أي شخص لديه توأم؟hal ta'rif ayya shakhsin ladayhi taw'am?Do you know anyone who has twins?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، أختي لديها توأم.na'am, ukhti ladayha taw'am.Yes, my sister has twins.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries توأم, CC BY-SA 4.0.
