Vowels and Diacritics

Now that you know all 28 Arabic letters (which are all consonants), it is time to learn how Arabic represents vowel sounds. Arabic uses a system of small marks written above and below letters called diacritics (حَرَكات — harakaat). This lesson covers all the essential diacritics you need to read Arabic accurately.

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Why Diacritics Matter

In Arabic, the same three consonants can form completely different words depending on the vowels:

Consonants	With Vowels	Pronunciation	Meaning
ك ت ب	كَتَبَ	kataba	he wrote
ك ت ب	كُتُب	kutub	books
ك ت ب	كُتِبَ	kutiba	it was written
ك ت ب	كاتِب	kaatib	writer

Without diacritics, the reader must use context to determine which word is intended. This is why diacritics are essential for learners.

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The Three Short Vowels

1. Fatha ( َ ) — The "a" Sound