Harakat (Vowels)

Beginner

Harakat (Vowels)

Fatha, Kasra, Damma, Sukoon

Short vowels are written above or below letters. Master these four marks and you can begin reading.

1

Fatha (a)

A small line above the letter — short 'a' sound.

بَ تَ مَ

ba, ta, ma

2

Kasra (i)

A small line below the letter — short 'i' sound.

بِ تِ مِ

bi, ti, mi

3

Damma (u)

A small 'waw' above the letter — short 'u' sound.

بُ تُ مُ

bu, tu, mu

4

Sukoon (no vowel)

A small circle — the letter is pronounced without a vowel.

بْ تْ مْ

The letter is closed / stopped.

5

Read together

Combine consonants + harakat to form syllables.

كَتَبَ

kataba — 'he wrote'