Module 2: Short and Long Vowels
Arabic letters form the skeletal framework of words. Vowel markings act as the muscle, telling you how to breathe life into those consonants.
1. Short Vowels (Harakat)
These small accent marks sit directly above or below letters. While native Egyptians leave them out of text messages and street signs, you must learn them to understand how words are built.
Fatha ( َ )
Visual: A diagonal slash over the letter.
Sound: Short "a" sound, like the vowel in cat or bat.
Kasra ( ِ )
Visual: A diagonal slash under the letter.
Sound: Short "i" or "e" sound, like the vowel in bit or get.
Damma ( ُ )
Visual: A tiny curl or miniature comma over the letter.
Sound: Short "u" or "o" sound, like the vowel in put or for.
Sukun ( ْ )
Visual: A small circle over the letter.
Sound: Absolute zero vowel. Signals a dead stop on that specific consonant.
2. Long Vowels
When you want to stretch a vowel sound out, you do not use an accent mark. Instead, you add a full letter directly into the word. Long vowels hold the sound for twice as long as short vowels.
Alif (ا)
Function: Stretches the Fatha.
Sound: Elongated "aa" sound like in father or car.
Yaa (ي)
Function: Stretches the Kasra.
Sound: Elongated "ee" sound like in meet or see.
Waw (و)
Function: Stretches the Damma.
Sound: Elongated "oo" sound like in pool or moon.