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Relatives
الأقرباء (al-aqribā') is the plural form of قريب (qarīb), meaning 'relatives' or 'family members.' This word encompasses all blood relations and is commonly used in both formal and informal Arabic contexts to refer to one's extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and other kinfolk.
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أنا أزور أقربائي كل عطلة نهاية الأسبوع.
Anā azūru aqribā'ī kulla 'utla nihāyat al-usbu'.
I visit my relatives every weekend.
تجتمع عائلتنا مع الأقرباء في الأعياد.
Tajtami'u 'ā'ilatunā ma'a al-aqribā' fī al-a'yād.
Our family gathers with relatives during holidays.
له أقرباء كثيرون في مصر.
Lahu aqribā' kathīrūn fī misr.
He has many relatives in Egypt.
يجب أن نساعد أقربائنا في أوقات الحاجة.
Yajibu an nusā'ida aqribā'anā fī awqāt al-hāja.
We must help our relatives in times of need.
الأقرباء القريبون يعيشون بالقرب من بعضهم.
Al-aqribā' al-qarībūn ya'īshūn bil-qurb min ba'dahum.
Close relatives live near each other.
In Arab culture, family ties and kinship relationships are extremely important and hold strong social significance. The concept of الأقرباء extends beyond immediate family to include extended family members, and maintaining these relationships is considered a moral and religious obligation in Islamic tradition. Family gatherings during holidays, weddings, and celebrations are central to Arab social life, and helping relatives is viewed as a fundamental duty.
Remember that الأقرباء is always plural and is used when referring to multiple relatives collectively. When referring to a single relative, use the singular form قريب or more specific terms like عم (uncle), خالة (aunt), or ابن العم (cousin). This word is frequently used in legal documents and formal contexts when discussing inheritance, guardianship, or family matters, so understanding its proper usage is important for formal Arabic communication.
الأقرباء (al-aqribā') is the plural form of the Arabic word قريب (qarīb), which means 'relative' or 'family member.' This term encompasses all individuals connected through blood relations, including parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and other extended family members. The word is derived from the root ق-ر-ب (q-r-b), which carries the meaning of proximity or closeness, both literal and relational.
As a plural noun, الأقرباء follows standard Arabic pluralization patterns. The singular form قريب can also function as an adjective meaning 'near' or 'close,' which relates etymologically to family closeness. When used in sentences, الأقرباء takes the genitive case when possessed (أقربائي - my relatives, أقرباؤك - your relatives) and maintains its plural form across all grammatical contexts. The word is masculine plural and is used regardless of the gender composition of the relative group being discussed.
الأقرباء is one of the most frequently used words when discussing family matters in Arabic. It appears regularly in conversations about family gatherings, inheritance discussions, social obligations, and personal relationships. Arabs often refer to visiting or helping their أقرباء as a natural and expected part of daily life, reflecting the cultural emphasis on familial bonds. The word is used in both formal contexts, such as legal documents and official communications, and in casual conversations with friends and family.
In Arab culture, the concept of الأقرباء holds profound importance beyond mere biological classification. Islam specifically emphasizes the rights of relatives and encourages believers to maintain family ties through the concept of صلة الأقرباء (silat al-aqribā', maintaining kinship relations). This is considered one of the most important social obligations, and breaking family ties is viewed as a serious moral failing. Arab society maintains strong multigenerational family structures where older relatives are respected and younger family members are expected to assist and care for their elderly أقرباء.
Understanding الأقرباء is enhanced by learning related terms. أقرب الأقرباء means 'closest relatives' and typically refers to first-degree relations. The term القرابة refers to kinship itself, the abstract concept of being related. Other specific terms include الأهل (family members), العائلة (family unit), and أرحام (blood relations, often used in formal or legal contexts). Distinguishing between these terms helps learners express familial relationships with greater precision and cultural awareness.
Several common Arabic phrases incorporate الأقرباء. "صلة الأقرباء" is frequently used when discussing the importance of maintaining family connections, a central theme in Arab discourse. "حقوق الأقرباء" refers to the rights and duties owed to relatives, both morally and legally. "أقرباء من الدرجة الأولى" means first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children), while "أقرباء من الدرجة الثانية" refers to second-degree relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins).
English speakers should note that الأقرباء always refers to multiple relatives; using it to describe a single person is grammatically incorrect. When learning this word, it's helpful to study it alongside more specific kinship terms to understand how Arabs categorize different types of relatives. Practice distinguishing between collateral relatives (cousins, aunts, uncles) and lineal relatives (parents, grandparents, children), as Arabic often has different words for these categories. Additionally, understanding the legal and social implications of الأقرباء in Islamic inheritance law can deepen comprehension of how this word functions in formal Arabic contexts.