How Many Letters Are in Arabic Alphabet? If you’re interested in learning Arabic and its alphabet, learning the Arabic alphabet is an excellent starting point. This is the right spot to learn the basics!
The process of learning a new alphabet can be difficult for people who are just beginning. However, with this guide, it’s as simple as alif baa, taa — that’s the letters A, B and and T The first three characters in the Arabic alphabet!
In the beginning What’s it like to master the Arabic alphabet in the beginning?
Writing and reading in Arabic using Arabic characters using the Arabic alphabet doesn’t have to be nearly as difficult as it seems. It can be difficult for English natives due to it being difficult to read due to the new Arabic characters.
However, here’s the great news it’s a phonetic language that adheres to extremely consistent rules for pronunciation.
In the end, learning how the art of reading in Arabic simply means that you have to “unlearn” some behaviors that are common to English natives.
For example:
- Arabic can be read and written from left to left
- Arabic letters comprise strokes that are written in a cursive style.
- Arabic letters alter shape according to their position within the word
Bonus: it might be surprising you to discover that Arabic characters that make up the alphabet written for various languages, like Persian, Malayalam, Urdu, Central Kurdish, Pashto and Uyghur. By learning your Arabic alphabet you’ll be able to build an understanding base for reading in different languages too!
Arabic Corner
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Arabic Alphabet Overview: two crucial questions, which are answered
How many letters can be found within the Arabic alphabet?
Arabic alphabet, also known as Al-abjadiyah is composed of 28 letters.
Consonants are all consonants which means that most letters come in four distinct styles. Vowels are also present in Arabic However, we’ll talk the details of Arabic vowels and letter forms in a moment!
What could be the reason Arabic letters sound strange to English native English speakers?
Certain Arabic letters don’t have an similar sound to English this can make it difficult for English natives. One instance can be D (Dhad) which is one of the most commonly used letters in Arabic which isn’t found within other languages. Because of this popular alphabet, Arabic is sometimes nicknamed “the language of Dhad “.
Don’t let this discourage you! With a little instruction and practice you will be able to learn how to speak Arabic effectively enough to communicate and be heard.
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Arabic alphabet diagram: The 28 letters and their meanings
Name of the letter | Forms | Nearest English sound |
alif | Isolated: End: Middle: Initial: | Aah |
baa | Isolated: b End: b Middle: b Initial: b | B (The letter p does not exist in Arabic therefore “p” is also used as a ‘b’ in the mouth of Arabic users.) |
taa | Isolated: t End: t Middle: t Initial: t | T |
Tha | Isolated: th End: th Middle: th Initial: th | Soft ‘th’, as in thin |
Jiim | Isolated: j End: j Middle: j Initial: j | j/zh |
haa | Isolated: H End: H Middle: H Initial: H | No comparable, but soft h, like it were you blowing a candle out of the inside of your throat. |
Khaa | Isolated: kh Middle: kh End: kh Initial: kh | Scottish la ch it’s almost like gargling |
Dal | Isolated: d End: d Middle: d Initial: d | D |
Dhal | Isolated: dh End: dh Middle: dh Initial: dh | Hard ‘th’, as in this |
raa | Isolated: r End: r Middle: r Initial: r | Softly rolled ‘r’ like”cu rd |
Zay | Isolated: z End: z Middle: z Initial: z | Z |
siin | Isolated: s End: s Middle: s Initial: s | S |
shiin | Isolated: sh End: sh Middle: sh Initial: sh | sh |
Saad | Isolated: S End: S Middle: S Initial: S | There is no equivalent, but it is comparable to the ss |
Dhad | Isolated: D End: D Middle: D Isolated: D | There is no substitute, but an emphatic “D” that is identical to the word dawn in to the back of your throat |
Taa | Isolated: T End: T Middle: T Initial: T | No substitute, but an emphatic “T” |
Dhaa | Isolated: Z End: Z Middle: Z Initial: Z | There is no equivalent, but a strong “th’ |
hain | Isolated: ` End: ` Middle: ` Initial: ` | It’s not a similar experience however, it is a guttural pause similar to a pause in the uh-oh |
Ghain | Isolated: G End: G Middle: G Initial: G | No equivalent, however like ‘gh’/’gr’ the sound produced when gurgling |
Faa | Isolated: f End: f Middle: f Initial: f | F |
qaaf | Isolated: q End: q Middle: q Initial: q | It’s not the same, but very it is similar to the caught by the throat’s back. |
kaaf | Isolated: k End: k Middle: k Initial: k | K |
laam | Isolated: l End: l Middle: l Initial: l | L |
miim | Isolated: m End: m Middle: m Initial: m | M |
Now | Isolated: n End: n Middle: n Initial: n | N |
haa | Isolated: h End: h Middle: h Initial: h | H |
waw | Isolated: w End: w Middle: w Initial: w | “w/oo” as in oot |
Yaa | Isolated: y End: y Middle: y Initial: y | “y/ee,” as in eet |
What’s been happening so far? We’re impressed. Let’s take a look at the details.
Arabic alphabet in depth four important concepts to know about
1. The majority of Arabic letters have four distinct types.
In the graph above you’ll see the four distinct “forms” to each alphabet. This is due to the fact that although there are some variations, all letters come with four distinct forms, based on the way and place they appear
- Isolated format is the way letters are written alone, mainly to serve as an instructional tool (the only exceptions to the rule are hostile letters – however, we’ll be covering those in the next.
- The final forme is the way in which a letter appears it is at the very end words (remember that this is on the left).
- Middle form is the way a letter appears, with the letters on both sides The end format is what is it displayed at the conclusion of a phrase (remember this is to the left end).
- The original format is the way a letter appears at the beginning of a word (remember that this happens located to the left).
2. Letters that are hostile can create exceptions to the rules
When you examine Arabic texts, you might observe it is evident that Arabic letters of words may “flow” into each other (think about it like a joined handwriting, or cursive! ).
Use the Arabic word KTB (book) and pronounce it as “kitab” .
Each of the Arabic letters that make up the word are K T B – however, when they are grouped together, they appear quite different.
Some letters appreciate this flow, while some aren’t. The letters that are not friendly (the reason for this is there in their name!) are those which don’t.
The 6 letters that are not friendly in Arabic
While the majority of letters are content to stand next to the one that follows Six letters stand out as more anti-social.
These are six Arabic letters that don’t link to the letter that follows them. Instead, they create breaks within words.
- alif ( ‘ )
- waw ( w )
- dal ( d )
- Dhal ( dh )
- raa ( r )
- zay ( z )
Let’s consider Bb (door) which is that is pronounced “bab” for an illustration.
First and the last characters are baa ( baa ) character, while the middle is hostile alif ( ‘ ).
First baa flow directly into the alif, however the hostile alif creates a clean break. The second baab is spelled the same in an unison letter.
2. The five smiley letters are able to change their appearance in subtle ways
Do you know why we refer to them as smiley letters? Take a closer look, and you’ll find that they’re almost like smiley emoticons :).
In contrast to the letters that aren’t friendly, smiley letters don’t interrupt the flow of words and adhere to the same rules as many of other alphabets. What only is different is the location of the dots, ranging from above or below the “smiley mouth” to over or beneath the horizontal line.
- baa ( b )
- taa ( t )
- tha ( th )
- nun ( n )
- yaa ( y )
Let’s take a look at the term byt (house) which is which is pronounced byat , for an illustration.
The first time you see baa, it’s joined to yaa. Here you’ll see that yaa’s two dots shift from below the curve and then under the curve.
Then it’s joined to Taa, which ends the word by forming a full curve that is the final of the letter.
3. Vowels of Arabic aren’t always obvious.
Arabic utilizes the system known as Abjad which means that every letter is consonant (i.e. that there are vowel alphabets).
Although Arabic doesn’t possess vowel letters but it does have methods of making short and long vowel sound.
The three Arabic letters that create long vowel sound
Three letters used to create Long vowel sounds within the word are:
- alif ( )
- waw ( w )
- yaa ( y )
Concerning the 3 unwritten short vowel sounds
How Many Letters Are in Arabic Alphabet? The short vowel sound are similar with alif ( ) words like waw ( waw ) or Yaa ( the letter y ) can exist.
However, here’s where it gets messy. Short vowel sounds used to be recorded with accents (otherwise called diacretics) over or below the letters that they are abutting (the consonants). In the course of time the modern Arabic has gotten rid of the accent marks. Today, you’ll find these marks in writing using Classical Arabic, like the Qu’uran, or in literature.
So, how do you learn how to pronounce the word in Arabic with no vowels? Experience and context. Good things come in time.
Tips to learn Arabic
After we’ve covered our knowledge of the Arabic Alphabet, let’s know some tricks to help you learn:
1- Arabic Reading Practice:
In Arabic More experienced readers do not need the “harakat” or “diacritical” marks to read words By practicing it, they can read with ease. Therefore, the more you practice the more proficient:
- Create Arabic reading a habit of daily.
- Practice reading more frequently throughout the day.
- Remember how much you do the more proficient your Arabic will become.
2- Arabic Handwriting Practice:
After you’ve practiced understanding words, and you have learned phrases and grammar. It is crucial to master the art of writing Arabic as you learn the language.
If you are looking to master writing Arabic Alphabet, you should learn to write well.
- Write the distinct, initial medial, and final variations.
- Begin by drawing the letters. This assists you in quickly memorizing letters and be able to write them using punctuation.
Writing Arabic naturally requires you to be familiar with the forms of letters. This will enhance your ability to grasp the Arabic alphabet a lot faster.
What is the best Arabic book?
There are a lot of books you can read to help improve your Arabic language, or assist your kids in learning Arabic ” learn Arabic book” Here are the titles:
- Arabic Language Book Level 1 -ktb llG@ Lrby@ ljz l’wl Arabic Language Book Level 2 KTB LLG@ LRBY@ ljz LTHN: This book is ideal for children.
- Arabic For Every Day – Spoken Arabic For All:
This Arabic is a great choice for anyone It is a reference that can help you understand how to communicate in Arabic. The book is excellent use if you travel to the Arab country and wish to master some Arabic words to be able to communicate with the locals easily and seek assistance.
Additionally, this book will be your guide to learning Arabic quickly and fluently in short time. This book won’t just teach you to speak Arabic but will also provide information about religious, cultural, social economics, and other activities. When you’ve finished the book, you’ll be able be able to communicate and understand Arabic effortlessly.
The book will guide you to develop the necessary communications skills and the ability in speaking like native speakers.
- Arabic Reading Lessons:
Another fantastic book to read is Arabic reading instruction It is comprised of six sections and a few parts of the renowned Arabic literary works Alf Laila Wa Lailah (A Thousand and One Nights) as well as numerous other stories sourced from the classic literature.
- Arabic Conversation Book:
The book provides a reference to modern spoken Arabic It was created to assist travelers and tourists to become fluent in Arabic in a short amount of time. It covers a variety of topics that are common to life, such as eating out, dining out shopping, and more.
With this book, you’ll be able communicate with Arab effortlessly and confidently within a short period of time.
- Arabic At A Glance:
This book is written for travelers who aren’t able to study Arabic and would like to be capable of communicating with other travelers while traveling into one of the Arab country.
The book includes more than 1500 phrases that travelers must know in restaurants, hotels, airports trains, hotels or other locations they plan to go to.
- Spoken Arabic Made Simple: it is a guide for those who are new to Arabic, helping students learn to read and write and to speak Arabic within one month.
You can buy the most amazing books at Madinah media. If you’re searching to find the” Arabic bookstore near me” Madinah Media is the ideal location for you. You can purchase any book you love online and without having to leave your the comforts of your home.
The best Arabic Grammar books are:
- One of the top Arabic grammar books is the trilogy of three volumes: Arabic Grammar Level 1-qw`d LnHw ljz l’wl Arabic Grammar Level 2-qw`d lnHw LTHN ljz, and Arabic Grammar Level 3-qw`d lnHw LTHTH. The series is designed to simplify the grammar to ensure that it is easy to grasp and use.
- The Grammar Assistant A collection of five books that includes numerous exercises that will aid in understanding and memorizing the grammatical patterns.
Best Arabic story:
- Decode -fk smhfr@:
The story follows how three children who move in with a woman dubbed “Tamader”. The first few days the kids are bored and angry, but as the days progress, they are able to learn more about their new home and the exciting things they’ll come across.
- Old Papers-‘wrq Qdym@:
Three short stories that reveal the early years of a girl who is young from her personal viewpoint.
- If The World Were One Village- A Book About The Peoples Of The World:
This is a fascinating book to read. Theo Theo imagines what would occur if the world is one tiny village of 100 people with various religions and professions.
- Outer Space:
An excellent book that will help you learn the basics of outer space, in a way that is fun and is easy to comprehend.
If you love reading Disney stories, here are some Arabic books you’ll be able to enjoy reading:
- Mickey Mix Series.
- A Call To Save-d`w@ lldkhr
- Franklin has many stories, including Franklin Birthday or Franklin is Afraid of Dark.
- Sleepy.
- Princesses series.