“Uncle”, “Uncles” in Tunisian Arabic

In Tunisian Arabic, “Uncle” (the noun) is written using the Latin script as:

(mother’s side) Khal

(father’s side) 3amm

Using the Arabic script, it is written as:

خال (mother’s side)

عمّ (father’s side)

In Tunisian Arabic, “Uncles” (the noun) is written using the Latin script as:

(mother’s side) Khwel

(father’s side) 3mouma

Using the Arabic script, it is written as:

خوال (mother’s side)

عمومة (father’s side)

Listen to these four words pronounced (audio)

 

Examples in sentences or statements

 
“He is my uncle.”

(mother’s side) Howa khali.

(father’s side) Howa 3ammi.

 .هو خالي (mother’s side)

.هو عمّي (father’s side)

 
“Your uncle was by earlier.”

(mother’s side) Khalek ken hne 9bila.

(father’s side) 3ammek ken hne 9bila.

 .خالك كان هنا قبيلا (mother’s side)

 .عمّك كان هنا قبيلا (father’s side)

 
“That’s my uncle at that table.”

(mother’s side) Hedheka khali f tawla.

(father’s side) Hedheka 3ammi f tawla.

.هذاكا خالي في الطاولة (mother’s side)

.هذاكا عمّي في الطاولة (father’s side)

 
“Two of my uncles are over there playing cards.”

(mother’s side) Zouz men khweli 9a3din yal3bou fel karta ghadi.

(father’s side) Zouz men 3moumti 9a3din yal3bou fel karta ghadi.

.زوز من خوالي قاعدين يلعبو في الكارطة غادي (mother’s side)

.زوز من عمومتي قاعدين يلعبو في الكارطة غادي (father’s side)

 
“I’m a new uncle!”

(mother’s side) Walit khal!

(father’s side) Walit 3amm!

!ولّيت خال (mother’s side)

!ولّيت عمّ (father’s side)

 

In other Mediterranean languages and dialects

“Uncle”, “Uncles” in Lebanese Arabic