The Arabic alphabet is a foundational aspect of the Arabic language. It consists of 28 letters, written from right to left in a cursive style. Each letter has different forms depending on its position in a word (initial, medial, final, or isolated). Learning the alphabet is essential for pronunciation, reading, and writing. Alongside the letters, we’ll include a word starting with each letter, its international transcription (Romanization), and its meaning to help you better understand and use the letters in context.
Arabic Alphabet with Words, Romanization, and Meanings
| Letter | Name (in Arabic) | Example Word (Starts with) | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| أ | Alif | أسد | Asad | Lion |
| ب | Bā’ | بيت | Bayt | House |
| ت | Tā’ | تفاح | Tuffāḥ | Apple |
| ث | Thā’ | ثعلب | Thaʿlab | Fox |
| ج | Jīm | جمل | Jamal | Camel |
| ح | Ḥā’ | حصان | Ḥiṣān | Horse |
| خ | Khā’ | خبز | Khubz | Bread |
| د | Dāl | دب | Dubb | Bear |
| ذ | Dhāl | ذهب | Dhahab | Gold |
| ر | Rā’ | رمان | Rummān | Pomegranate |
| ز | Zāy | زرافة | Zarāfa | Giraffe |
| س | Sīn | سمك | Samak | Fish |
| ش | Shīn | شمس | Shams | Sun |
| ص | Ṣād | صقر | Ṣaqr | Falcon |
| ض | Ḍād | ضوء | Ḍaw’ | Light |
| ط | Ṭā’ | طائر | Ṭā’ir | Bird |
| ظ | Ẓā’ | ظرف | Ẓarf | Envelope |
| ع | ʿAyn | علم | ʿIlm | Knowledge |
| غ | Ghayn | غابة | Ghāba | Forest |
| ف | Fā’ | فراشة | Farāsha | Butterfly |
| ق | Qāf | قمر | Qamar | Moon |
| ك | Kāf | كتاب | Kitāb | Book |
| ل | Lām | لبن | Laban | Milk |
| م | Mīm | مسجد | Masjid | Mosque |
| ن | Nūn | نجم | Najm | Star |
| ه | Hā’ | هدية | Hadiyya | Gift |
| و | Wāw | ورد | Ward | Rose |
| ي | Yā’ | يد | Yad | Hand |
Key Notes:
- Alif (أ) often works as a placeholder for vowels like a, ā, or serves as a connector for other letters.
- Arabic letters change shape depending on where they are placed in the word, making context vital when reading or writing.
- The Romanization provided here follows modern standard Arabic (MSA), which is commonly used for formal and written Arabic.
- Some letters, such as خ (Kh) or غ (Gh), have sounds not found in English. Practice helps in mastering them.
This list ensures you have a strong foundation before moving on to complex grammar topics. It also incorporates practical aspects like common errors and writing skills to make your learning more applicable.