Phrases
Ya Rouhi, Ya Omri: How Iraqis Talk to the People They Adore
يا روحي
ya rouhi
My soul (a term of endearment)
Ya rouhi, ya omri: a call and a reply
يا روحي (ya rouhi) means 'my soul' — a warm way to address someone you love. It often comes paired with a matching reply: يا عمري (ya omri), 'my life.' You'll hear this exchange between parents and children just as often as between couples.
يا روحي
ya rouhi
My soul
يا عمري
ya omri
My life (response)
Saahbi: my friend
Not every term of endearment is romantic. صاحبي (saahbi) — 'my friend' or 'my companion' — carries real warmth between close friends, the kind of word that signals someone matters to you beyond just being an acquaintance.
صاحبي
saahbi
My friend
Yubni: my boy
يبني (yubni) — literally 'my son' — is used affectionately for a boy or young man you're fond of, family or not. It's the kind of word an uncle, older cousin, or family friend uses without a second thought.
يبني
yubni
My boy / my son (affectionate)
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