Phrases
Ammo, Khalo, Yumma: Iraqi Arabic Family Words Explained
عمو
ammo
Paternal uncle (also used for any older man)
Not all uncles and aunts are equal
In Iraqi Arabic, the side of the family matters. Your father's brother is عمو (ammo) and your father's sister is عمتي (ammati). Your mother's brother is خالو (khalo) and your mother's sister is خالتي (khalti). Standard Arabic makes the same distinction, but in Iraq these words are used constantly, in daily speech, not just formally.
عمو
ammo
Paternal uncle
عمتي
ammati
Paternal aunt
خالو
khalo
Maternal uncle
خالتي
khalti
Maternal aunt
Ammo and khalo aren't just for relatives
عمو (ammo) and خالو (khalo) are also used across the Arab world as a friendly, respectful way to address any older man you're not related to — a shopkeeper, a taxi driver, a neighbour — and Iraqis use them constantly this way too. Calling a stranger عمو is warm, not overly familiar, and it's one of the fastest ways to sound like a local rather than a textbook learner.
شكرا عمو
shukran ammo
Thanks, uncle (said to any older man)
Mom and grandpa, the affectionate way
بابا (baba) and ماما (mama) are common for mom and dad, but many Iraqi families also use يمة (yumma) for 'mom' — a softer, more affectionate colloquial term you'll hear alongside the more standard 'ummi.' Grandpa is جدي (jiddi) — you'll hear kids talking about بيت جدي (beit jiddi), 'grandpa's house,' as a regular gathering spot for the whole family.
يمة
yumma
Mom (affectionate)
جدي
jiddi
Grandpa
Brother, family, and the bride
اخوية (akhooya) — 'my brother' — is used affectionately, not just literally, the way you might call a close friend 'bro.' اهلي (ahli) means 'my family,' covering the whole household. And at a wedding, everyone will be asking منو العروس؟ (mino il-'aroos?) — 'who's the bride?'
اخوية
akhooya
My brother (also used affectionately for a close friend)
اهلي
ahli
My family
العروس
il-'aroos
The bride
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