Hebrew · 22 characters · harder for English speakers
The Hebrew alphabet (Alef-Bet)
Hebrew has 22 letters, written right to left, and most of them have a single clear sound. Vowels are usually left out of writing, which is the main thing to get used to.
- Free forever plan
- No card needed
- 77 languages
Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team
Hebrew · lesson preview
Step 4At a glance
- Characters
- 22 letters (5 with final forms)
- Direction
- right to left
- Time to learn
- about a week
The Hebrew alphabet chart with sounds
Tap the speaker on any letter to hear it, where your device has a Hebrew voice. Sounds are described with English comparisons, which are close but never exact: listen and repeat.
Letters with clear sounds
- ב
b / v
bet: like b in boy, or v
- ג
g
gimel: like g in go
- ד
d
dalet: like d in do
- ה
h
hey: like h in hat
- ז
z
zayin: like z in zoo
- ט
t
tet: like t in top
- ל
l
lamed: like l in lamp
- מ
m
mem: like m in map
- נ
n
nun: like n in no
- ס
s
samekh: like s in sun
More consonants
- כ
k / kh
kaf: like k, or ch in loch
- פ
p / f
pe: like p in pen, or f
- ק
k
kuf: like k in kit
- ר
r
resh: a throaty r, like French
- ש
sh / s
shin: like sh in shop (s in some words)
- ת
t
tav: like t in top
Vowel-like and special letters
- א
-
alef: silent, carries a vowel
- ו
v / o / u
vav: v in van, or the vowels o and u
- י
y / i
yod: y in yes, or the vowel i
- ע
-
ayin: silent in modern speech, or a throat sound
Other sounds
- ח
kh
chet: like ch in loch
- צ
ts
tsadi: like ts in cats
Things to know before you start
- Everyday Hebrew leaves out most vowels. Beginner books add small marks (nikkud) to show them.
- Five letters change shape at the end of a word: כ מ נ פ צ.
- Several pairs look alike: ב and כ, ד and ר, ה and ח and ת.
- Modern Hebrew uses block letters in print and a cursive script for handwriting.
A 6-day plan to learn Hebrew alphabet
Day 1: Letters with clear sounds
Learn 10 letters: ב ג ד ה ז ט ל מ נ ס. Say each one out loud three times, then cover the sounds and test yourself.
Day 2: More consonants
Learn 6 letters: כ פ ק ר ש ת. Say each one out loud three times, then cover the sounds and test yourself.
Day 3: Vowel-like and special letters
Learn 4 letters: א ו י ע. Say each one out loud three times, then cover the sounds and test yourself.
Day 4: Other sounds
Learn 2 letters: ח צ. Say each one out loud three times, then cover the sounds and test yourself.
Day 5: Review and read
Go back over every group, then read the 8 practice words below out loud. Slow is fine.
Day 6: Say real sentences
Start Hebrew sentences in 4ToSpeak. Seeing letters in context is what makes them stick.
Fifteen to twenty minutes a day is enough. Skip a day and pick up where you stopped.
Your first Hebrew words to read
You can already read these. Read each one aloud, then check the sound and meaning.
| Sound and meaning | Hebrew |
|---|---|
| shalom · hello, peace | שלום |
| toda · thank you | תודה |
| mayim · water | מים |
| lechem · bread | לחם |
| bayit · house | בית |
| ken · yes | כן |
| lo · no | לא |
| ima · mom | אמא |
How many characters are in Hebrew alphabet?
22 letters (5 with final forms).
How long does it take to learn Hebrew alphabet?
Most learners can recognise the basic set in about a week with a little practice every day. Fast, fluent reading comes from reading real words, not from the chart alone.
Do I need to learn the alphabet before I start speaking Hebrew?
No. You can start speaking Hebrew first and pick up the letters as you go. Hearing a sentence while you see it written makes both easier, so learning the letters in parallel is the quickest route.
What is the best way to practise Hebrew alphabet?
Short daily sessions beat long ones. Say each letter aloud, read real words as soon as you know ten or so letters, and practise with audio so each shape has a sound. 4ToSpeak shows every Hebrew sentence in the script and has you say it aloud.
Related guides
More on learning Hebrew
Free · no card · 77 languages
Now read Hebrew out loud
You know the letters. Start with a Hebrew sentence, see it written and say it. Free, no card.