Arabic Script Basics

About the Arabic Script

Arabic is written from right to left (RTL). The alphabet has 28 letters, most of which change shape depending on their position in a word: isolated, initial, medial, final. Vowels are indicated with small marks above or below the letters.

The Arabic Alphabet (1‑14)

(Letters 15‑28 will be covered in Day 2.)

Pronunciation Tips

• Alif (ا) – long “aa” sound, like “father”.
• Bā’ (ب) – same as English “b”.
• Tā’ (ت) – dental “t” (tongue touches teeth).
• Thā’ (ث) – like “th” in “think”.
• Jīm (ج) – “j” as in “jam”.
• Ḥā’ (ح) – deep h sound from the throat.
• Khā’ (خ) – guttural “kh” like “loch”.
• Dāl (د) – soft “d”.
• Dhāl (ذ) – like “th” in “that”.
• Rā’ (ر) – rolled “r”.
• Zāy (ز) – “z”.
• Sīn (س) – “s”.
• Shīn (ش) – “sh”.
• Ṣād (ص) – emphatic “s” (with constricted throat).

Writing Practice

Practice writing the letters in their different forms. Remember: Arabic letters connect to each other except for six letters (ا, د, ذ, ر, ز, و) which do not connect to the following letter.

Exercise

Match the Arabic letter to its English sound:

1. ث → a) b b) th c) s
2. ح → a) h (normal) b) deep h c) kh
3. خ → a) kh b) ch c) h
4. ذ → a) z b) dh c) th
5. ش → a) s b) sh c) ch

Show answers

1. th (ث)
2. deep h (ح)
3. kh (خ)
4. dh (ذ)
5. sh (ش)