The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, representing consonants.
Includes three vowel signs for writing both short and long vowels.
Other orthographic signs are explained in subsequent chapters.
Letters are written from right to left.
Letters are usually connected (joined) from both sides, but six letters can only connect from the right side:
These letters are: 1 (ا), 8 (د), 9 (ذ), 10 (ر), 11 (ز), and 27 (و).
It is crucial to remember these specific letters cannot connect to the following letter (on their left side).
Most letters are written in different forms depending on their position:
Initially (beginning of a word)
Medially (middle of a word)
Finally (end of a word)
Standing alone
There are no capital letters in the Arabic script.
Arabic grammarians refer to the alphabet using three different names
The transliteration of the Arabic alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet.
Some letters have additional signs to indicate special features of Arabic pronunciation.
The letter !alif (ا) has not been given a specific transliteration due to its variable sound value.
Alphabet Table includes each letter's different forms: standing alone, final, medial, and initial position:
Alif (ا)
Standing Alone: ا
Final: ـا
Medial: ـا
Initial: ا
Transliteration: (*1)
B (ب)
Final: ـب
Medial: ـبـ
Initial: بـ
Transliteration: b (2)
T (ت)
Final: ـت
Medial: ـتـ
Initial: ت
Transliteration: t (3)
Each letter's presentation as it appears in different positions in connected writing:
Ayn (ع)
Final: ـع
Medial: ـعـ
Initial: ع
Transliteration: (18)
G (غ)
Final: ـغ
Medial: ـغـ
Initial: غ
Transliteration: (19)
F (ف)
Final: ـف
Medial: ـفـ
Initial: ف
Transliteration: (20)
Q (ق)
Final: ـق
Medial: ـقـ
Initial: ق
Transliteration: (21)
K (ك)
Final: ـك
Medial: ـكـ
Initial: ك
Transliteration: (22)
It is essential to practice recognizing and forming Arabic letters in their various positions to master the script.
Understanding the transliteration and Arabic phonetics is crucial for effective communication in Arabic.