Quick answer
Khouya means "my brother" and khti "my sister". Common words for parents include baba and yemma . Uncles and aunts are distinguished according to the side of the family: 3ammi for my paternal uncle, khali for my maternal uncle.
Close family in Algerian Darija
This table describes your relatives, so each expression includes the meaning “my”. Learn the whole expression in Latin and Arabic script before changing the possessive. The Latin spelling is a reading aid; other spellings are also used.
| English | Algerian Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| My father / dad | baba | بابا |
| My mother / mom | yemma | يما |
| My brother | khouya | خويا |
| My sister | khti | ختي |
| My grandfather | jeddi | جدي |
| My grandmother | jeddati | جدتي |
| My son | weldi | ولدي |
| My daughter | benti | بنتي |
| My husband | rajli | راجلي |
| My wife | marti | مرتي |
For "mom", you will also hear forms like mma or mama . “My sister” can be transcribed okhti . Pronunciation and habits vary between regions and families; learn the form used by the people you want to speak with.
Four words for uncles and aunts
In English, “my uncle” does not specify whether he is on your mother’s or father’s side. The following expressions make that distinction. To remember them, associate each word with someone you know or with an imaginary family.
| Relationship | Algerian Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| My uncle: brother of my father. | 3ammi | عمي |
| My aunt: sister of my father. | 3amti | عمتي |
| My uncle: my mother's brother. | khali | خالي |
| My aunt: my mother's sister. | khalti | خالتي |
These words can also be respectful forms of address for older people who are not relatives. Hearing them does not necessarily mean that two people belong to the same family. Context helps you understand how they are being used.
Brother, my brother and your brother
The end of the word often carries the idea of possession. Compare these forms before constructing your own sentence:
- khouya — my brother; khouk — your brother; khouh — his brother.
- khti — my sister; khtek — your sister.
- weld — son or boy; weldi — my son.
- bent — girl; benti — my daughter.
The possessive avoids repeating a word-for-word translation of “from me”. Orally, learn the word with the sentence in which you hear it. To expand your vocabulary, use the Algerian–French dictionary .
Introduce a relative and ask how they are
In this practice scene, you introduce your brother to a male friend. Both people exchanging greetings are men.
- You: Hadha khouya. هذا خويا.
This is my brother. - Your friend: Salam ! Wesh rak ? سلام! واش راك؟
Hello! How are you ? - Your brother: Rani mli7. راني مليح.
I'm fine.
To introduce your sister, start with Hadi khti. ( هادي ختي. ), “this is my sister”. The question becomes Wesh raki ? when addressed to her. Find the variants and answers in the guide to Algerian greetings .
Three exercises before a family visit
Choose three relationships, say their names without looking, then check the tables. Add an introductory sentence and finish with the close family quiz.
Your mother's brother: 3ammi or khali?
Khali . For your father's brother, use 3ammi .
What does khouya mean?
“My brother.” In a colloquial exchange, this word can also be addressed to someone who is not your brother.
How to introduce your sister?
Hadi khti. — She’s my sister. Then keep the greetings adapted to your interlocutor.
Sources and usage notes
The following resources allow you to compare vocabulary and usage. The scenes and exercises on this page are suggested for training; the variations in your surroundings remain a useful benchmark.