Hebrew usually follows consistent phonetic rules, but several exceptions can trip up learners. These involve silent letters, vowel behavior, and special combinations. Here are key cases to know:
1. Silent Alef (א) – Example: ראשון
When Alef appears without a vowel, it’s completely silent.
- In רִאשׁוֹן (rishon – first), the Alef has no vowel, so it’s not pronounced.
- The word is read as rishon, not ri-a-shon
2. Silent Yud (י) – Example: עכשיו
When Yud follows a letter that doesn’t have a Hiriq (the single dot below), it’s often silent.
- In עַכְשָׁיו (achshav – now), the Yud is not pronounced
- The word is read as achshav, not achshayv
3. Final Chet with Patach – “Ach” Ending
When Chet (ח) appears at the end of a word with a Patach underneath, it’s pronounced “ach”, not “cha”.
- Example: רוּחַ (ruach – spirit) → pronounced roo-ach
4. Guttural Letters Don’t Take Dagesh
Letters like א, ה, ח, ע, ר are guttural and do not take a Dagesh (the dot inside a letter).
- You won’t see forms like עּ or חּ
5. Vav as Vowel vs. Consonant
Vav (ו) can act as a vowel (Shuruk or Holam Maleh) or a consonant (“v” sound).
- Vowel: שׁוּק (shuk – market) → “oo” sound
- Consonant: וָו (vav – hook) → “v” sound
