Learn Arabic words for your family members — tap any to hear them!
Arabic has a rich and precise vocabulary for family relationships. Unlike English, Arabic distinguishes between paternal and maternal relatives — uncle on the father's side (عم) is a different word from uncle on the mother's side (خال). The activity presents the Al-Hassan family in a visual family tree, covering 15 family members from grandparents to extended relatives, with audio, an all-words grid, and a quiz.
أب (ab) father — children say أبي (abi) or بابا. أم (um) mother — children say أمي (ummi) or ماما. أخ (akh) brother · أخت (ukht) sister · ابن (ibn) son · بنت (bint) daughter. The word for family is عائلة (a'ila) or أسرة (usra).
جد (jadd) grandfather · جدة (jadda) grandmother. Children in different Arabic regions use different affectionate terms: جدو (jiddo), سيدو (sido), تيتا (tita), ستو (sitto). Grandparents hold a position of great respect in Arabic culture, and their blessings (دعاء) are considered especially powerful.
Arabic uniquely distinguishes paternal/maternal relatives: عم (amm) — paternal uncle · خال (khal) — maternal uncle · عمة (amma) — paternal aunt · خالة (khala) — maternal aunt. Cousins: ابن عم (ibn amm). This precision reflects the importance of family lineage (نسب) in Arab culture.
Start with the Family Tree view — the visual layout helps children map Arabic words to familiar faces and relationships. Point to family photos at home and say the Arabic word. Use the Quiz mode to test recall. Practise with sentences: "هذا أبي" (This is my father), "هذه أمي" (This is my mother).