Letter 10 of 28 · Ages 4–7 · Pre-K – Grade 1
Arabic Letter Ra (ر) — Free Tracing Worksheet
Free one-page Ra (ر) tracing worksheet: the letter large in Naskh, its four joined forms, graded tracing rows and 2 words to trace. Pronounced "rāʾ". No email, no signup.
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The four shapes of Ra (ر)
Arabic letters change shape depending on where they sit in a word. The same sheet your child traces shows all four, so the changing shape is learned from day one instead of coming as a surprise later.
How to pronounce Ra
“rāʾ”. Tap or trill the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind your top teeth — a quick flick, like the rolled 'r' in Spanish 'perro' or the tapped 'r' in 'butter' said quickly. Let the tongue tip bounce; it never glides like the English 'r'.
Not the English 'r' in 'red' — that one glides with the tongue pulled back. Arabic ر is a tapped/rolled 'r' where the tongue tip vibrates against the ridge. Think of a purring cat or a small motor.
The classic mix-up: Using the soft English 'r' that glides instead of taps. Have your child say a fast 'tdtdtd' against the ridge first, then turn on the voice — the tapping muscle memory becomes the rolled ر.
Words your child already knows with Ra
These are the example words printed on the worksheet — trace them together, then find more around the house.
One activity for this week
Pretend to be a purring cat or a revving motorbike: 'rrrr-riisha!'. The playful trill builds the tongue vibration far more easily than asking a child to 'roll the r'.
Questions
How do you pronounce the Arabic letter Ra (ر)?
Tap or trill the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind your top teeth — a quick flick, like the rolled 'r' in Spanish 'perro' or the tapped 'r' in 'butter' said quickly. Let the tongue tip bounce; it never glides like the English 'r'. Not the English 'r' in 'red' — that one glides with the tongue pulled back. Arabic ر is a tapped/rolled 'r' where the tongue tip vibrates against the ridge. Think of a purring cat or a small motor.
How many dots does the Arabic letter Ra (ر) have?
Ra (ر) has no dots.
What is the most common mistake with Ra?
Using the soft English 'r' that glides instead of taps. Have your child say a fast 'tdtdtd' against the ridge first, then turn on the voice — the tapping muscle memory becomes the rolled ر.
How should I use this Ra worksheet with my child?
Start by tracing the grey letters with a finger — saying "rāʾ" out loud each time — then move to pencil on the dotted row, and finish with the empty boxes. Pretend to be a purring cat or a revving motorbike: 'rrrr-riisha!'. The playful trill builds the tongue vibration far more easily than asking a child to 'roll the r'.
Every letter has its own page
Want all 28 in one file? Download the complete alphabet pack →