Master Arabic Easily: Learn How to Say “Pen” (قَلَم) Like a Pro
Learning Arabic is exciting, especially when you start with everyday objects you see around you. One simple yet powerful word for beginners is “pen”. This word is not only practical but also opens doors to conversations about school, work, and daily life.
The Arabic Word for “Pen”
- English: pen
- Arabic: قَلَم
- Pronunciation: qalam
قَلَم is a masculine noun in Arabic. It refers to a writing instrument and is widely used in schools, offices, and homes.
Pronunciation Guide
Break down قَلَم for clarity:
- قَ (qa) — a strong “q” sound from the back of the throat, followed by a short “a”
- لَ (lam) — light “l” sound with short “a”
- م (mim) — as in English “m”
Put it together: قَ-لَ-م → qalam.
Fun Fact About “قَلَم”
The word قَلَم comes from the ancient tool “reed pen,” which was traditionally used in Arabic calligraphy. The same root ق-ل-م also leads to words like:
- مَقْلَمَة – maqalama – pencil case
- قَلَم حِبْر – qalam ḥibr – ink pen
So when you say قَلَم, you are connecting to centuries of Arabic writing tradition!
How to Use “Pen” in Daily Arabic
Here are beginner-friendly phrases with full diacritics to help you practice:
- This is my pen.
هٰذَا قَلَمِي.
hādhā qalamī - Where is the pen?
أَيْنَ ٱلْقَلَم؟
ʾayna al-qalam? - I need a pen.
أَنَا بِحَاجَةٍ إِلَى قَلَمٍ.
ʾanā bi-ḥāja(t)in ʾilā qalamin - The pen is on the table.
ٱلْقَلَمُ عَلَى ٱلطَّاوِلَةِ.
al-qalamu ʿalā aṭ-ṭāwila(ti) - He writes with a pen.
هُوَ يَكْتُبُ بِقَلَمٍ.
huwa yaktubu bi-qalamin
Real-Life Usage Examples
- قَلَمِي فِي ٱلْحَقِيبَةِ.
qalamī fī al-ḥaqība(ti)
(My pen is in the bag.) - أُحِبُّ ٱلْقَلَمَ ٱلْأَزْرَقَ.
ʾuḥibbu al-qalama az-zarqāʾ
(I love the blue pen.) - هَلْ لَدَيْكَ قَلَمٌ؟
hal ladayka qalamun?
(Do you have a pen?)
Practice Tip
- Daily Writing: Practice writing قَلَم in Arabic script every day. Focus on proper diacritics: قَلَم.
- Flashcard Method: Create flashcards with the English word on one side and Arabic with pronunciation on the other.
- Speak Aloud: Use simple sentences like:
أَكْتُبُ بِقَلَمٍ جَدِيدٍ.
ʾaktubu bi-qalamin jadīd
(I am writing with a new pen.)
Why “قَلَم” Is Great for Beginners
“Pen” is simple, frequently used, and emotionally positive—it connects directly to learning and creativity. By practicing this word, learners also encounter common sentence structures and prepositions like فِي (in) and عَلَى (on).
What to discover more Arabic vocabulary for beginners, check our previous lessons:
Say “Student” in Arabic