Vocabulary Cards — Session 2: My Name Is...

Print this page. Cut along the dotted lines. Each card is index-card sized. Carry them in your pocket. Look at one card during car rides, snack time, before bed.

Card 1

Say it: IS-mee Means: My name is...

🎨 Picture: A child pointing to themselves with a big smile, about to say their name.

Use it when: You meet someone new. A friend's parent asks who you are. You answer the phone and need to say who's calling.

Card 2

Say it: ma IS-mak? Means: What's your name? (asking a boy)

🎨 Picture: A girl on a playground turning to a boy on the swing next to her, curious.

Use it when: You meet a boy at the park. A new boy joins your class. You want to know a cousin's friend's name.

Card 3

Say it: ma IS-mik? Means: What's your name? (asking a girl)

🎨 Picture: A boy at a family gathering asking a girl his age her name, both holding juice boxes.

Use it when: You meet a girl at a birthday party. A new girl sits next to you at school. You meet a neighbor's daughter on the stairs.

Notice the tiny difference: -ak for a boy, -ik for a girl. Same word, last sound flips. Listen for it.

Card 4

Say it: AH-na Means: I / I am

🎨 Picture: A child with their hand on their own chest, looking proud.

Use it when: You want to say "I." "I am hungry." "I want that one." "I'm here!" It comes before almost everything you say about yourself.

Card 5

Say it: IN-ta Means: You (to a boy)

🎨 Picture: A girl pointing across the table at her little brother, asking him a question.

Use it when: You're talking to a boy or a man. "You — come here!" "Are you ready?" "It's your turn."

Card 6

Say it: IN-ti Means: You (to a girl)

🎨 Picture: A boy pointing at his sister across the living room, laughing.

Use it when: You're talking to a girl or a woman. "You go first!" "Are you coming?" "It's your turn, Mama."

Same word as Card 5 — just the last sound changes. -a for boys, -i for girls. Arabic does this a lot. You'll get used to it.

Card 7

Say it: BAA-ba Means: Papa / Daddy

🎨 Picture: A child running toward their father at the door, arms up. Baba is crouching down.

Use it when: You call your dad. You tell someone "this is my baba." You want baba's attention from the other room.

This is our letter of the day word! ب (ba) — the letter that starts baba. Look at it: ب — a little smile with one dot underneath. Baba's letter has a dot under it, like a chin.

A bonus card — for the family

Card 8 (bonus)

Say it: t-shar-RAF-na Means: Nice to meet you! (literally: "We are honored")

🎨 Picture: Two kids shaking hands at a family wedding, both a little shy, both smiling.

Use it when: You just learned someone's name. A grown-up introduces you to their friend. You meet a cousin for the first time.

Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, and Jordanian families say this all the time when meeting someone new. It sounds fancy, but kids say it too. It makes grown-ups smile.

How to use these cards

1. Pair them up. Cards 2 and 3 go together. Cards 5 and 6 go together. Practice them side by side so the -ak / -ik difference sinks in.
2. Play "ma ismak / ma ismik" at dinner. Go around the table. Even if everyone knows everyone's name, ask anyway. Answer with اِسمي + your name.
3. 30 seconds a day. Pick one card. Say it. Use it once today.
4. Let your kid pick a favorite. Most kids pick one card they love. Use that one most. The others will catch up.

On the letter ب (ba)

Today's letter is ب. You'll see it in بَابا (baba) — twice! It's the little smile with one dot under it.

Last session we met أ (alif). Now we have two letters: أ and ب. Two down. The rest come slowly, one per session. No rush.

For now: just say the words. Let baba's letter be your friend this week.

Yalla Arabic · Vocabulary Cards · Session 2