Arabic Speaking at Home 5: Let’s Make Wudu

Time to put together what we’ve been learning and add some new words to the mix. Today, we’ll be introducing verbs.

If you’ve never studied Arabic verbs before, just take things slowly. It’s best to practice with just a few words at a time and really get a good handle on them before moving on.

Today, we will learn 3 verbs and also learn how to say them when talking about ourselves or when talking to one child.

Pronouns

It’s a really good idea to practice your pronouns by pointing. You can use this pic to learn or review your pronouns.

The Steps

Here are the steps for wudu in Arabic. I have made it simpler so that there’s not too much vocabulary in one week.

نَقُولُ بِسْمِ الله

نَغْسِلُ اليَدَيْن, الفَمّ, الأَنْف, وَالوَجْه ثَلَاثَ مَرَّات

نَغْسِلُ الذِرَاع ثَلَاثَ مَرَّات

نَمْسِحُ الرَّأْس والأُذُنَين مَرَّةً وَاحِدَة

نَغْسِلُ القَدَمَين ثَلَاثَ مَرَّات

Here is a video that has the steps spoken clearly. Remember you can always watch on .5 speed if it’s too fast.

Video: Start at 0:38

Please note, some of the words in the video are different. I have used words that are more familiar to English speakers. This video will help you to expand your vocabulary. Listen out for different words for hand, arm, and foot.

Getting Your Kids Involved in Speaking

Now the fun part. After you’ve gone through the lesson and the video a few times, start asking your kids how to make wudu. They may not be able to answer in Arabic, but the more you speak to them, the more they will learn.

Here is what you can ask:

مَاذَا تَفْعَلُ؟

What do you do?

Or, ask:

مَاذَا تَقُولُ؟

What do you say?

For a female child, ask:

مَاذَا تَفْعَلِينَ؟

or

مَاذَا تَقُولِينَ؟

The child will answer:

أَقُولُ بِسْمِ الله

You can ask:

ثُمَّ مَاذَا نَفْعَلُ؟

Then what do we do?

Try switching the pronouns out from time to time when you’re asking. If the child answers in English, just translate for him/her. As time goes on, your children will start imitating you of you stay consistent.

Here’s a free printable to help you review the vocabulary from this lesson.

In the next lesson, we’ll talk a little more about feelings. You’ll learn how to make sentences about how you feel in the morning.