Hebrew uses one main niqqud symbol to represent the “I” sound, similar to the “ee” in machine. This vowel is called Hiriq.
Hiriq (ִ)
- Symbol: A single dot under the letter
- Sound: “ee”
- Example: דִּין (din – judgment)
When Hiriq appears with the letter י (yod) after it, it often reinforces the long “ee” sound, especially in Biblical or poetic texts. Example: אִישׁ (ish – man)
