Hebrew Pronunciation Guide
Learn how to correctly pronounce Hebrew letters and words with audio examples and interactive practice
Hebrew Letter Sounds
Alef
אָלֶף • [ʔ] / silent
Pronunciation Guide
Silent (or slight glottal stop)
Example Words
Alef is typically silent in modern Hebrew, serving as a consonant placeholder for vowels. In some contexts, particularly at the beginning of words, it can be pronounced as a very slight glottal stop.
Modern vs. Traditional Pronunciation
Modern Israeli Hebrew pronunciation differs from traditional Sephardic or Ashkenazic pronunciation in several ways. Modern Hebrew generally follows the Sephardic tradition but with some simplifications.
In modern Israeli Hebrew, several letters that historically had distinct sounds are now pronounced the same way. For example, Alef and Ayin, which traditionally had distinct sounds, are often both silent in modern Hebrew. Similarly, Tet and Tav, Kaf and Qof are now pronounced identically.
When learning Hebrew pronunciation, it's important to listen carefully to native speakers and practice regularly to develop an authentic accent.
Quick Reference Chart
All Hebrew letters and their sounds at a glance
About Hebrew Pronunciation
Hebrew pronunciation has evolved over thousands of years, with different Jewish communities developing distinct pronunciation traditions. Modern Israeli Hebrew, which is the focus of this guide, primarily follows Sephardic pronunciation with some modifications.
Hebrew is a consonantal language, where most letters represent consonant sounds. Vowel sounds are typically indicated by diacritical marks (niqqud) placed around the consonants, though these marks are usually omitted in everyday writing.
Several Hebrew letters can change their pronunciation based on context or the presence of a dagesh (dot) inside the letter. For example, the letter Bet (ב) is pronounced as "b" with a dagesh and "v" without it.
To enhance your Hebrew learning experience, you can also reference our complete Hebrew alphabet chart, practice writing Hebrew letters with the correct stroke order, or test your knowledge with our interactive Hebrew quizzes.
Pronunciation Tips
- Guttural Sounds: Letters like Chet (ח) and Ayin (ע) are pronounced in the back of the throat
- The Resh Sound: The Hebrew Resh (ר) is not pronounced like an English "r" but rather as a guttural sound similar to the French "r"
- Stress Patterns: Hebrew words typically stress the last syllable, with some exceptions
- Short vs. Long Vowels: Pay attention to vowel length, as it can change the meaning of words
- Listen and Repeat: Use the audio examples to train your ear and practice regularly
- Minimal Pairs: Practice words that differ by only one sound to train your pronunciation
- Rhythm and Intonation: Beyond individual sounds, try to mimic the natural rhythm and melody of Hebrew speech
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the Hebrew pronunciation guide?
Click on the audio buttons next to each letter or word to hear how they're pronounced. You can navigate between letters using the arrow buttons or practice with example words in the Practice Words tab.
How does modern Hebrew pronunciation differ from traditional Hebrew?
Modern Israeli Hebrew generally follows Sephardic traditions but with simplifications. Several letters that historically had distinct sounds (like Alef/Ayin or Tet/Tav) are now pronounced the same way.
Why do some Hebrew letters have two different pronunciations?
Letters like Bet, Kaf, and Pe change their pronunciation based on whether they have a dagesh (dot) inside them. With a dagesh, they make a "hard" sound (b, k, p); without, they make a "soft" sound (v, kh, f).
What are the most challenging sounds for English speakers learning Hebrew?
The guttural sounds like Chet (ח) and Ayin (ע), the rolled Resh (ר), and distinguishing between similar-sounding letters like Kaf (כ) and Qof (ק) are typically most challenging for English speakers.