Hebrew A-Type Vowels (Printer Version)

Hebrew Vowels Simple A-Type Vowels

This first vowel group you will learn is sometimes called the "A-type" because it indicates an "ah" sound (as in "yacht" or "aqua") when combined with a letter. The "simple" A-type vowels have the following pattern:

Note that the "X" refers to any Hebrew letter (for example Aleph, Bet, and so on) and the rectangular box below the letter refers to a one the following types of vowel marks (nikkudim):

Notes:

Although these vowel marks look different, they all represent an "ah" sound. Note which vowel is long (Qamets) and which are short (Patach, Chateph Patach). The Chateph Patach is sometimes called a "half vowel" and is the shortest of all vowels: it can only appear under the guttural letters (and is usually part of the following syllable).

Basic Syllables

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A syllable is called "open" when it does not end with a "stopping" sound:

A syllable is called "closed" when it ends with a "stopping" sound:

Open Syllables:

Closed Syllables:

Full A-Type Vowel

In addition to the three simple A-type vowels you have studied, there is a "full-vowel" variation that you should be aware of: Qamets can have a silent Hey following it (the Hey, a mater, is not pronounced but is considered part of the vowel):

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Note that the "X" refers to any Hebrew letter (for example Aleph, Bet, Gimmel, and so on) and the rectangular box below the letter refers to a vowel mark location. When the letter Hey follows a letter with a Qamets or Patach, it functions not as a consonant, but as a vowel letter. This is called a "consonantal vowel" and the result is called a "mixed" or "full" vowel.

Notes:

This vowel also represents an "ah" sound. This vowel normally marks the end of a word. If there is a dot inside of the following Hey, it is considered a consonant and not part of the full vowel (the dotted Hey is called a mappiq). This vowel is always considered a long vowel.

Examples:

Practice Readings

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* The dot (dagesh) in the Bet indicates a "doubling" of the letter, causing the previous syllable to be closed (dagesh chazak).

Quick Summary:

More Practice Pages

Transliteration Practice:

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