أبوك
abuka
The English phrase 'your dad' is translated into Arabic as أبوك (abuka).
This phrase refers to the father of the person being spoken to.
What does it mean word for word?
The attached possessive pronoun suffix -ك (-ka) is the attached possessive pronoun for 'your' when addressing a single male.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf Arabic, والدَك is a formal way to say your dad.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to a woman, the suffix changes to -كِ (-ki), resulting in أبوكِ.
How do you pronounce it?
abuka
Did you know?
- The word 'abu' in أبوك is part of a larger system of 'kunyas', where a person is identified by the name of their firstborn child rather than their own name.
- Depending on the dialect, the phrase أبوك can be used as a mild exclamation of surprise or disbelief, similar to saying 'My goodness' in English.
- In formal Arabic, the word for father أب can be used generically to describe the creator or founder of a movement or a school of thought.
Examples in context
- قدّموا لك وثيقة كان ينبغي أن يمضيها أبوك، أليس كذلك؟They gave you a document your dad was supposed to sign, didn't they?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of أبوك regarding a document signature.Tatoeba #5830243 by OsoHombre, translation #5828783 by OsoHombre
- أنا أبوك.I'm your dad.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase أبوك in a direct statement.Tatoeba #6963588 by OsoHombre, translation #6552657 by OsoHombre
- ما به أبوك؟What has gotten into your dad?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of أبوك in a question.Tatoeba #11979517 by dididodo, translation #9760754 by Amastan
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Layla is asking Yusuf about his father's health.
- ليلى Laylaكيف حال أبوك الآن؟Kayfa hala abuk al-an?How is your dad doing now?
- يوسف Youssefإنه يشعر بتحسن كبير، شكراً لكِ.Innahu yash'uru bi-tahassin kabir, shukran laki.He is feeling much better, thank you.
- ليلى Laylaهل ما زال أبوك في المستشفى؟Hal ma zala abuk fil-mustashfa?Is your dad still in the hospital?
- يوسف Youssefلا، لقد عاد إلى البيت اليوم.La, laqad 'ada ila al-bayt al-yawm.No, he returned home today.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
