Letter 28 of 28 · Ages 4–7 · Pre-K – Grade 1
Arabic Letter Ya (ي) — Free Tracing Worksheet
Free one-page Ya (ي) tracing worksheet: the letter large in Naskh, its four joined forms, graded tracing rows and 3 words to trace. Pronounced "yāʾ". No email, no signup.
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The four shapes of Ya (ي)
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 Ya
“yāʾ”. Raise the middle of your tongue toward the roof of your mouth and let the voice glide out — the 'y' in 'yes' or the long 'ee' in 'see' when it stretches. The lips are relaxed and slightly spread; the tongue body does the work.
Like English 'y' (consonant, as in 'yellow') or long 'ee' (vowel, as in 'green'). The caution: don't shorten the long vowel — Arabic vowel length changes meaning, so stretch 'ee' for two beats when ي lengthens.
The classic mix-up: Shortening the long ي so 'fiil' (elephant) sounds like 'fil'. Have your child smile slightly and hold the 'eee' for two beats whenever ي is a long vowel — vowel length carries meaning.
Words your child already knows with Ya
These are the example words printed on the worksheet — trace them together, then find more around the house.
One activity for this week
Wave your hand (yad) and stretch 'yyy' as you say goodbye. The wave plus the stretched sound ties ي to a daily gesture your child already loves doing.
Questions
How do you pronounce the Arabic letter Ya (ي)?
Raise the middle of your tongue toward the roof of your mouth and let the voice glide out — the 'y' in 'yes' or the long 'ee' in 'see' when it stretches. The lips are relaxed and slightly spread; the tongue body does the work. Like English 'y' (consonant, as in 'yellow') or long 'ee' (vowel, as in 'green'). The caution: don't shorten the long vowel — Arabic vowel length changes meaning, so stretch 'ee' for two beats when ي lengthens.
How many dots does the Arabic letter Ya (ي) have?
Ya (ي) has two dots below it.
What is the most common mistake with Ya?
Shortening the long ي so 'fiil' (elephant) sounds like 'fil'. Have your child smile slightly and hold the 'eee' for two beats whenever ي is a long vowel — vowel length carries meaning.
How should I use this Ya worksheet with my child?
Start by tracing the grey letters with a finger — saying "yāʾ" out loud each time — then move to pencil on the dotted row, and finish with the empty boxes. Wave your hand (yad) and stretch 'yyy' as you say goodbye. The wave plus the stretched sound ties ي to a daily gesture your child already loves doing.
Every letter has its own page
Want all 28 in one file? Download the complete alphabet pack →