هذه أختي

Using this phrase is as easy as gesturing toward your sister. You start with هذه (hadhihi), which means "this" for females. Then you add أختي (ukhti), which means "my sister." Notice the "ee" sound at the end? That is the magic suffix for "my." You can use it at the start of a conversation. You can also use it when showing someone a photo on your phone. It works perfectly whether you are standing right next to her or pointing across a room.

Use this at a wedding when meeting distant cousins. Use it at a cafe when your sister joins you and your friends. It is perfect for school events or when introducing her to a colleague. If you are texting a photo to a group chat, this is the perfect caption. It is also useful in formal settings, like a graduation ceremony. Basically, any time your sister is present and needs an introduction, this is your phrase. It is polite, clear, and very natural.

Do not use هذه if you are introducing your brother. For a brother, you must use هذا (hadha). Arabic is very strict about gender agreement! Also, avoid using this for a very distant female relative unless you want to simplify things. If she is a cousin, use the specific word for cousin instead. Don't use it for a female friend unless you are speaking metaphorically. While you might call a best friend "sister" in English, in Arabic, it might cause confusion about your actual family tree.

In Arab culture, family ties are incredibly strong and deeply respected. Introducing your sister is a sign of trust and hospitality. It signals that you are comfortable bringing this person into your family space. In some regions, siblings are often seen as protectors of one another. By saying هذه أختي, you are also subtly signaling that she is under your care and respect. It is a phrase that carries a lot of warmth and pride. You might even hear people use "sister" for very close friends to show deep loyalty.

Arabic has many dialects, and this phrase changes slightly everywhere. In Egypt, you would say دي أختي (di ukhti). In the Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan), you might hear هيدي أختي (haydi ukhti) or just هاي أختي (hay ukhti). In the Gulf, it stays quite close to the original but with a local accent. If you have more than one sister, you would say هؤلاء أخواتي (ha'ula' akhawati) for "these are my sisters." No matter the dialect, the word أخت (ukht) remains the recognizable root.