Hebrew is written using consonants only, which means vowel sounds are not represented by separate letters. To guide pronunciation, especially in Biblical texts, poetry, and educational materials, Hebrew uses a system of niqqud – small dots and dashes placed around letters.
These vowel signs help readers know how to pronounce words correctly. While modern Hebrew often omits niqqud in everyday writing, it remains essential for learners and in formal or religious contexts.
This chart presents the main vowel signs in Hebrew, organized by sound. Each symbol corresponds to one of the five basic vowel sounds: A, E, I, O, U – along with additional marks like Shva, Chataf vowels, and Dagesh, which affect pronunciation and syllable structure.
Use this chart as a reference to strengthen your reading skills and deepen your understanding of Hebrew phonology.
