Arabic Alphabet - Learn All 28 Letters with Native Pronunciation
Master the Arabic alphabet with our comprehensive guide. Learn all 28 Arabic letters with their names, native pronunciation for 5 diacritical marks, transliteration, and illustrated example words. Free for beginners.
The Arabic Writing System
Arabic is written from right to left and consists of 28 letters. Most letters connect to adjacent letters, creating the flowing, cursive appearance characteristic of Arabic script. Learning the alphabet is the first step to reading and writing Arabic.
Arabic Diacritical Marks (Harakat)
Arabic uses diacritical marks to indicate short vowels: Fatha (a), Damma (u), Kasra (i), and Sukun (no vowel). Each letter can be pronounced with different vowel sounds depending on the diacritic mark above or below it.
Arabic Alphabet Letters
- أ (Alif) - Like "a" in "father" - Example: أسد (Lion)
- ب (Bā) - Like "b" in "boy" - Example: بيت (House)
- ت (Tā) - Like "t" in "top" - Example: تفاح (Apple)
- ث (Thā) - Like "th" in "think" - Example: ثعلب (Fox)
- ج (Jīm) - Like "j" in "jump" - Example: جمل (Camel)
- ح (Ḥā) - A breathy "h" from the throat - Example: حصان (Horse)
- خ (Khā) - Like "ch" in Scottish "loch" - Example: خبز (Bread)
- د (Dāl) - Like "d" in "dog" - Example: دجاجة (Chicken)
- ذ (Dhāl) - Like "th" in "this" - Example: ذئب (Wolf)
- ر (Rā) - Rolled "r" like in Spanish - Example: رمان (Pomegranate)
- ز (Zāy) - Like "z" in "zoo" - Example: زهرة (Flower)
- س (Sīn) - Like "s" in "sun" - Example: سمكة (Fish)
- ش (Shīn) - Like "sh" in "ship" - Example: شمس (Sun)
- ص (Ṣād) - Emphatic "s" sound - Example: صقر (Falcon)
- ض (Ḍād) - Emphatic "d" unique to Arabic - Example: ضفدع (Frog)
- ط (Ṭā) - Emphatic "t" sound - Example: طائر (Bird)
- ظ (Ẓā) - Emphatic "dh" sound - Example: ظرف (Envelope)
- ع (ʿAyn) - Deep guttural sound - Example: عنب (Grapes)
- غ (Ghayn) - Like French "r" - Example: غزال (Gazelle)
- ف (Fā) - Like "f" in "fan" - Example: فيل (Elephant)
- ق (Qāf) - Deep "k" from throat - Example: قمر (Moon)
- ك (Kāf) - Like "k" in "kite" - Example: كتاب (Book)
- ل (Lām) - Like "l" in "light" - Example: ليمون (Lemon)
- م (Mīm) - Like "m" in "moon" - Example: موز (Banana)
- ن (Nūn) - Like "n" in "noon" - Example: نجمة (Star)
- ه (Hā) - Like "h" in "hat" - Example: هرم (Pyramid)
- و (Wāw) - Like "w" in "water" - Example: وردة (Rose)
- ي (Yā) - Like "y" in "yes" - Example: يد (Hand)
Interactive Learning Features
Our interactive tool offers native voice pronunciations for each letter with 5 different diacritical marks, plus illustrated images to help visual learners. Click on any letter to hear its pronunciation or expand to see all diacritic variations.
Free Arabic Alphabet Learning Tool - 28 Letters - 140 Pronunciations - No Registration Required