Teaching kids Arabic verbs should be one of the first steps you consider in their Arabic language journey. These verbs help kids form simple Arabic sentences.
Many daily actions can serve as simple examples to teach basic Arabic verbs, such as eating, playing, jumping, writing, and reading.
In this guide, we’ll share 20 of the most common and easy Arabic verbs for kids. Each verb includes pronunciation and a simple sentence kids can use right away.
What Is a Verb? (Explained for Kids)
In Arabic, action words are called verbs, just like in English. A verb tells us what someone or something does.
Think about what you do when you eat an apple. In English, you say “I eat.”
In Arabic, you say:
I eat.
Ana ākul
أنا آكل
“Ākul” (eat) is the verb. It’s that simple! Once kids understand this idea, they can start connecting Arabic words to real actions.
20 Easy Arabic Verbs for Kids
Here are 20 Arabic action words that children use every day. Practice one or two a day, and soon your children will start making their own sentences!
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to eat
Akala
أكل
I eat an apple.
Ana ākul tuffāḥa
أنا آكلُ تفاحة.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to drink
Shariba
شرب
I drink water.
Ana ashrab al-mā’
أنا أشربُ الماء.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to go
Dhahaba
ذهب
I go to school.
’Anā ʾadhhabu ilā al-madrasa
أنا أذهبُ إلى المدرسة.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
I wear
labisa
لَبِسَ
I wear my clothes.
ʾAnā albasu thiyābī
أَنَا أَلْبَسُ ثِيَابِي.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to play
La‘iba
لعب
I play with the ball.
Ana al‘abu bil-kura
أنا ألعبُ بالكرة.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to run
Rakaḍa
ركض
I run in the playground
’Anā arkudu fī al-malʿab
أَنَا أَرْكُضُ فِي الْملْعب.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to sit
Jalasa
جلس
I sit on the chair
’Anā ajlisu ʿalā al-kursiyyi
أَنَا أَجْلسُ عَلَى الْكرْسِيّ.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to stand
Waqafa
وقف
I stand at the door
’Anā aqifu ʿinda al-bāb
أَنَا أَقِفُ عنْدَ البابِ.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to sleep
Nāma
نام
I sleep on the bed
’Anā anāmu ʿalā as-sarīri
أَنَا أَنامُ عَلَى السَّريرِ.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to wake up
Istayqaẓa
استيقظ
I wake up early.
Ana astayqiẓu bākiran
أنا استيقظُ باكراً.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to write
Kataba
كتب
I write my name.
Ana aktubu ismī
أنا أكتبُ اسمي.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to read
Qara’a
قرأ
I read a story.
Ana aqra’u qiṣṣa
أنا أقرأُ قصة.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to open
Fataḥa
فتح
I open the door.
Ana aftaḥu al-bāb
أنا أفتحُ الباب.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to close
Aghlaqa
أغلق
I close the door.
Ana ughliqu al-bāb
أنا أغلقُ الباب.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to draw
Rasama
رسم
I draw a sun.
Ana arsumu shamsan
أنا أرسمُ شمساً.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to look
Naẓara
نظر
I look at the moon.
Ana anẓuru ilā al-qamar
أنا أنظرُ إلى القمر.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to hear
Sami‘a
سمع
I hear the birds singing.
Ana asma‘u ṣawta aṭ-ṭuyūr
أنا أسمعُ صوت الطيور.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to speak
Takallama
تكلم
I speak Arabic.
Ana atakallamu al-‘arabiyya
أنا أتكلمُ العربية.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to love / to like
Aḥabba
أحب
I love my mom.
Ana uḥibbu ummī
أنا أُحبُ أمي.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic
to wash
ghasala
غَسَلَ
I wash my hands
ʾAnā aghsilu yadayya
أَنَا أَغْسِلُ يَدَيَّ.
Fun Ways Kids Can Practice Arabic Verbs
The best way for kids to learn is by having fun. Here are some playful ways to practice these new words and make them stick.
The "Simon Says" Action Game (قال المعلم)
This is a classic! Instead of “Simon says,” try “Mama says” or “Baba says.” Call out an Arabic verb, and let your child act it out.
- You say: “ركض!” (Rakaḍa!)
- They do: Run in place!
- You say: “نام!” (Nama!)
- They do: Pretend to sleep!
This game helps children connect words with actions, which makes learning more effective.
Describe Your Daily Routine
The best time to teach verbs is during daily activities. Use these verbs during your daily routine, so children hear them in real situations.
- At breakfast: “We eat ( نأكل – na’kul) breakfast.”
- Before bed: “It’s time to sleep (ننام – nanām).”
- On the way to the park: “We play (نلعب – nal‘ab) outside.”
Sing and Dance
Grab some paper and crayons. On one side, you can write the Arabic verb (like لعب). On the other side, draw a simple picture of someone doing that action (like a child playing with a ball). Show your child the picture and ask them to guess the Arabic word. This is a great screen-free activity that also boosts creativity.
Fun Ways Kids Can Practice Arabic Verbs
Look for Arabic children’s songs on YouTube or streaming platforms. Songs are full of verbs! Singing along to actions like “clap your hands” or “stomp your feet” in Arabic is a joyful way to learn.
Why Verbs Help Kids Learn Arabic Faster
Verbs are the engine of a sentence. They bring nouns together and create meaning.
When a child learns a verb, they can quickly start building many sentences.
- If they learn the verb “play” (لعب — la‘iba), they can say:
“I play.” (أنا ألعب – Ana al‘abu)
“I play with the car.” (أنا ألعب بالسيارة – Ana al‘abu bis-sayyāra)
- If they learn the verb “read” (قرأ — qara’a), they can say:
“I read.” (أنا أقرأ – Ana aqra’u)
“I read a book.” (أنا أقرأ كتاباً – Ana aqra’u kitāban)
This helps children move from single words to expressing their thoughts and needs. It’s a huge confidence boost that makes them want to learn even more.
Conclusion
Learning Arabic verbs is an exciting adventure for kids. These 20 action verbs are just the beginning! By helping your child connect words like eat, play, run, and love to their daily life, you are giving them the tools to build sentences, express themselves, and communicate with confidence. Remember to keep it fun with games, songs, and lots of praise. The goal is to make Arabic a joyful part of their everyday life.
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