Learning Hebrew Letters
Learning the Hebrew letters is the first and most important step in learning Hebrew. And we are here to help you learn them clearly and effectively.
On this page, you’ll find explanations for each letter, words that begin with them, and the correct pronunciation of each letter.
The Letters
The Hebrew alphabet consists of 22 letters
It is written from right to left.
The letters have two forms: print and cursive. Print is easier to learn.
עִבְרִית נִכְתֶּבֶת מִיָּמִין לַשְּׂמֹאל
ל - Lamed
מ - Mem
נ - Nun
ס - Samech
ע - Ayin
פ - Pe
צ - Tzadi
ק - Kuf
ר - Resh
ש - Shin
ת - Tav
א - Aleph
ב - Bet
ג - Gimel
ד - Dalet
ה - Hey
ו - Vav
ז - Zayin
ח - Chet
ט - Tet
י - Yod
כ - Kaf
Final Letters
Five of the Hebrew letters take on a different form when they appear at the end of a word.
צ
ץ
פ
ף
נ
ן
מ
ם
כ
ך
Why Do Final Letters Exist?
Final letters help to clearly distinguish between the end of one word and the beginning of another.
The shape of the final letters has developed throughout the history of Hebrew writing, and today they are an integral part of the writing tradition.
Hebrew Vowel
Hebrew uses a system of vowel points, known as "nikud," to indicate vowel sounds in words.
Nikud consists of graphic symbols placed below, above, or within letters, guiding the reader in pronunciation.
Basic Vowel Sounds
E (אֵ, אֶ)
אֵ – צֵירִי
אֶ – סֶגוֹל
🗣 Sounds similar to the "eh" sound in English ("bed").
I (אִ, אִי)
אִ – חִירִיק
אִי – חִירִיק עם י
🗣 Sounds similar to the "ee" sound in English ("see").
A (אַ, אָ)
אַ – פַּתַח
אָ – קָמַץ
🗣 Sounds similar to the "a" sound in English ("car").
O (אוֹ, אֹ)
אוֹ – חוֹלָם מלא
אֹ – חוֹלָם חסר
🗣 Sounds similar to the "o" sound in English ("go").
U (אוּ, אֻ)
אוּ – שׁוּרוּק
אֻ – קֻבּוּץ
🗣 Sounds similar to the "u" sound in English ("blue").
Shva Nach and Shva Na
Shva Nach (אְ):
-
Shva Nach indicates a short pause or silence.
-
It appears at the end of a syllable or word.
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When a Shva is Nach it is silent.
Shva Na (אְ):
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Shva Na indicates a short vowel sound, similar to "e" as in "bed".
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It appears at the beginning of a syllable
