How to say "affection, fondness" in Arabic
CognateMeaningaffection, fondness
Arabic · Modern Standard Arabic
مَوَدَّة
mawaddaמודה
مودة
Hebrew · Modern Hebrew
חיבה
khibaخِيبَا
How the two words are related
Cognate
Same Semitic root, same meaning — you already know this word.
Arabic root
و-د-دHebrew root
י-ד-דWord-initial w in Arabic regularly answers to y in Hebrew (the same shift seen in walad/יֶלֶד), so root و-د-د lines up with Hebrew י-ד-ד — יָדִיד, 'beloved friend'. Some also compare דּוֹד, 'beloved, uncle' (as in Song of Songs' "dodi li"), though that link is more debated.
Related Hebrew word:ידידyadidيَادِيد
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In a phrase
مَوَدَّة صَادِقَة
mawadda ṣādiqaמודה צאדקהsincere affection