Expert: Hanin - 2/15/2010

Question
What is a correct way of addressing a little brother with endearment?  What is "Little Brother" and what is "my little brother?"  Does lateef mean sweet? How much longer would it be to say "my sweet little brother" as both a description and an address?  Thanks~Jen

Answer
Hello Jen.

The arabic word for brother is: ''Akh''
My brother becomes: ''Akhi''
My little brother: ''Akhi al-sagheer''.
My sweet little brother: ''Akhi al-sagheer al-lateef''.
But in arabic we usually use the love word a lot, so instead of sweet ''lateef'' we would say beloved ''habib''.
''Akhi al-habib''. Or simply ''habibi'' (my beloved). There is also ''azizi'' (my dear).

Please do ask again if this is not enough.