Learn Arabic Letters: From (ل) to (ي)

Asmaa Akl

01 Jul 2020

To end our “Learn Arabic Letters” series on the Arabic alphabet, we will finally learn the last six Arabic letters. By the end of this article we will have concluded our introduction to the Arabic letters and in turn will be able to start reading different Arabic words and recognize the different forms and placements of all Arabic letters. Coupled with our article on Arabic diacritics “Learn Arabic Diacritics”, this series should allow you to read Arabic words correctly in any Arabic text.

The Letter Lam (ل)

 

The Laam (ل) has three different forms depending on its placement within a word, be it in the beginning, middle or end. It can also come independently on the condition that it’s at the end of the Arabic of the Arabic word and preceded by a letter that doesn’t connect to the one following it.

The forms of the letter Lam (ل)

Here are some examples of the letter Lam (ل) in Arabic words:

 

The Letters Meem (م) and Noon (ن)

This category of letters has three different placements in an Arabic word, in the beginning, middle and end. The Meem and the Noon ن have only one independent form at the end of an Arabic word when preceded by a letter that doesn’t connect to the one following it.

 

The forms of the letter Meem (م)

 

Some examples of the letter Meem in Arabic words:

 

The forms of the letter Noon (ن)

 

Some examples of the letter (ن) in Arabic words:

 

The Letter Haa (هـ)

The letter Haa هhas four different forms. It has one form when it comes initially, two forms when it comes in the middle of the words and 2 forms when it comes at the end. The letter Haa ه can only come independently at the end of an Arabic word. Let’s take a look at all four forms in the picture below.

 

The forms of the letter Haa (هـ)

 

Some examples of the letter Haa (هـ) in Arabic words:

 

The Letter Waw (و)

The letter Waw resembles the letter Alef in the fact that it’s one of the most independent letters in the Arabic alphabet. It can come independently at the beginning, middle, or end of an Arabic word. It also has an extended form but only when it’s placed in the middle and preceded by a letter than can connect to the one following it.

Some examples of the letter wow (و) in Arabic words:

 

You have to bear in mind that the letter Waw () is an Arabic word on its own. It means 'and' which indicates connection or addition.

 

The Letter Yaa (ي)

The letter Yaa has three different forms depending on its placement in a word. If it’s at the beginning or middle of a word it has a different form than the one in the image above and if it’s at the end of an Arabic word it has two different forms one of which is similar to the picture above.

 

The forms of the letter Yaa (ي)

 

Some examples of the letter yaa (ي) in Arabic words:

 

We finally come to an end and can proudly say we have covered all of the Arabic letters. Upon memorizing all the Arabic letters and familiarizing yourself with its different positions you will be able to properly read Arabic words and later on complete Arabic texts.

If you found our articles beneficial, take a look at our Learn Arabic Letters classes at Nour Academy where we provide more extensive information and exercises on Arabic letters.