Moroccan Arabic textbook 2011

38 • Moroccan Arabic
Family
Objective: By the end of the chapter, you will be able to:
• describe family members
• use the verb “to have” in simple sentences
Cultural Points
Family ties are very strong in Morocco. Children remain in touch or live with the family even if
they get married (taking into consideration space available within the house). Men are not expected to
help in the kitchen. Roles of men and women may differ in the city and in the country.
Family Members
Vocabulary
woman/wife mra in-law(s) nsib / nsab
man/husband rajl step-son rbib
girl/daughter bnt step-daughter rbiba
boy/son wld grandfather jdd
girls/daughters bnat grandmother jdda
boys/sons/
children
wlad uncle (paternal) mmع
the parents l-walidin aunt (paternal) mmaع
the father l'ab These forms are
rarely used in
the mother l'om
Moroccan Arabic.
Sometimes they
are used with
the brother
the sister
l'ax
l'oxt
“dyal.” More
often, we use the
forms “my father,
“my sister,” etc.
(my) brother
brothers/ siblings xut
xu(ya)
uncle (maternal)
aunt (maternal)
my nephew
(brother‟s side)
my niece
(brother‟s side)
my nephew
(sister‟s side)
my niece
(sister‟s side)
my cousin
(mas., paternal)
my cousin
(mas., maternal)
xal
xala
wld xuya
bnt xuya
wld xti
bnt xti
wld mm(t)iع
wld xal(t)i
(my) sister
xt(i)
my cousin
(fem, paternal)
bnt mm(t)iع
sisters
xwatat
my cousin
(fem, maternal)
bnt xal(t)i