In Hebrew, five letters have a special final form used only at the end of words. These are called “Otiyot Sofiyot” (אותיות סופיות).
The Five Final Letters
| Regular Form | Final Form | Name | Sound | Example Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כ | ך | Kaf sofit | Kh/K | מלך (melech – king) |
| מ | ם | Mem sofit | M | מים (mayim – water) |
| נ | ן | Nun sofit | N | אבן (even – stone) |
| פ | ף | Pe sofit | F/P | כסף (kesef – money) |
| צ | ץ | Tsadi sofit | Ts | ארץ (eretz – land) |
Practice Tip
- Write each pair (regular and final) side by side to see the difference.
- Read simple words that end with final letters to reinforce recognition.
- Repeat writing drills: trace, copy, and say the name and sound aloud.
- Focus on placement: final forms only appear at the end of words.
Quick Mnemonic
“כמנפץ” (K-M-N-P-Ts) – a made-up word to help remember the five final letters:
- כ → ך
- מ → ם
- נ → ן
- פ → ף
- צ → ץ
