Family Guide — Session 23: What Do I Like? (شو بِحِبّ؟)

A one-page guide for parents, after-school caregivers, or co-teachers. Plain English. No teaching experience required.

What we learned today

Your child can now say what they love, what they don't love, and how much — in Arabic:

They practiced putting it all together: bhibb al-mooz ktir (I love bananas a lot), ma bhibb al-bandoora (I don't like tomatoes), bhibb al-shokolata aktar shi (I love chocolate most of all).

Why this matters

This is the first session where your child can have a real opinion in Arabic. Up until now, they've been naming things — colors, body parts, foods. Today they can say how they feel about those things. That's a huge leap. Preferences are the most personal, most-used language in any house: I like this, I don't like that, what's for dinner? Once bhibb is locked in, it unlocks dozens of mini-conversations every week.

What to do this evening (3 minutes total)

You don't need to drill or quiz. Just do these three tiny things:

1. At dinner, point to something on the plate and ask:

"شو بِتحِبّ؟" (Shu bthibb? = "What do you like?")

Let them answer with bhibb + the food. Even one word counts.

2. Ask the follow-up:

"كَتير وَلا شَوي؟" (Ktir walla shway? = "A lot or a little?")

This is the magic question. It turns one word into a real sentence.

3. Before bed, ask:

"شو بِتحِبّ أَكتَر شي؟" (Shu bthibb aktar shi? = "What do you love most of all?")

Listen to the answer. Don't correct. Just smile.

What to do this week (5 minutes total)

Pick one of these:

• The fridge survey. Tape a piece of paper to the fridge. Every family member writes (or draws) one food they bhibb ktir and one they ma bhibb. Compare at the end of the week.
• Grocery store game. Walk down one aisle. Your child says bhibb or ma bhibb for five items. Bonus points for aktar shi.
• The "shu bhibb" interview. Your child interviews one family member (grandma over the phone counts!) with three questions: Shu bthibb tokol? Shu bthibb tshrab? Shu bthibb taamel? (What do you like to eat / drink / do?)
• Preference dinner. One night this week, let your child plan dinner using only Arabic preference words. Bhibb al-rizz. Ma bhibb al-sabaanekh. Bhibb al-jibneh aktar shi. You translate; they choose.

If you don't know Arabic yourself

You don't need to. Bhibb is one of the most useful words in Levantine Arabic, and you'll pick it up just by hearing your child say it three times.

• Try it yourself, out loud. Say bhibb al-qahwa (I love coffee) tomorrow morning. Your child will be delighted to catch you using their words.
• Get the answer wrong on purpose. Ask "Shu bthibb?" and when they answer, say "Tomatoes?? Really??" in mock surprise. Kids love correcting parents.
• You're modeling something bigger than vocabulary. When you try, you're showing your kid that learning Arabic is a family project, not a homework assignment.

If you're a heritage Arabic speaker

• Use bhibb in your normal sentences this week. Don't translate. If you usually say "Do you like this?" — switch to "Bthibb hayda?" Let them figure it out from context.
• Watch for the negative. Many heritage kids understand bhibb but freeze on ma bhibb. The little ma in front is what trips them up. Use it naturally: ana ma bhibb al-bared (I don't like the cold).
• Stretch them with aktar shi. It's a phrase heritage kids often hear but rarely say. Ask: Meen bthibb aktar shi? (Who do you love most of all?) — and prepare for a sweet answer.

What's coming next session

Session 24: My Family (عيلتي) — Your child learns the words for mom, dad, brother, sister, grandma, and grandpa, and combines them with bhibb from today. Expect a lot of "bhibb mama aktar shi."

Materials needed: a family photo, if you have one handy.

Questions or struggles?

Email: dabagh_safaa@smc.edu Or visit: https://learnwithoutwalls.com

Yalla Arabic · Family Guide · Session 23