How to Pronounce Arabic Diacritics154

Arabic diacritics are small marks that are placed above or below Arabic letters to indicate vowel sounds. They are essential for pronouncing Arabic words correctly. There are three main types of diacritics: short vowels, long vowels, and diphthongs.

Short Vowels

The short vowels are fatha, kasra, and damma. They are pronounced as follows:
Fatha: a as in "cat"
Kasra: i as in "sit"
Damma: u as in "put"

Short vowels are usually written above the letter, but they can also be written below the letter if the letter is already occupied by a long vowel or diphthong.

Long Vowels

The long vowels are alif, waw, and ya. They are pronounced as follows:
Alif: a as in "father"
Waw: oo as in "boot"
Ya: ee as in "feet"

Long vowels are usually written above the letter, but they can also be written below the letter if the letter is already occupied by a short vowel or diphthong.

Diphthongs

Diphthongs are combinations of two vowels that are pronounced together as one syllable. The diphthongs in Arabic are ay, aw, and iy. They are pronounced as follows:
Ay: ai as in "aisle"
Aw: ow as in "cow"
Iy: ee as in "feet"

Diphthongs are usually written above the letter, but they can also be written below the letter if the letter is already occupied by a short vowel or long vowel.

Examples

Here are some examples of how diacritics are used to change the pronunciation of Arabic words:
كتاب (kitab): book
كتب (kutub): books
مدرسة (madrasa): school
مدارس (madaris): schools
بيت (bayt): house
بيوت (buyut): houses

As you can see, diacritics are essential for pronouncing Arabic words correctly. Without them, it would be very difficult to understand the language.

2025-02-20

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