Hebrew Alphabet Sounds
Hear how every Hebrew letter is pronounced by a native speaker
How the Hebrew Sound System Works
The Hebrew alphabet is a consonantal writing system — all 22 letters represent consonant sounds. In standard writing, vowels are not marked, and fluent readers infer them from context. For beginning readers and children, the nikud system (dots and marks placed above and below letters) marks vowels and enables accurate reading.
Begadkefat Letters — Dual Sounds
Six Hebrew letters — Bet, Gimel, Dalet, Kaf, Pe, and Tav (known as BeGaD KeFaT) — change their pronunciation depending on a dot called a dagesh. For example, Bet with a dagesh sounds like 'B', and without it sounds like 'V'. Similarly, Pe with a dagesh is 'P' and without it is 'F'. This distinction is important for correct Hebrew pronunciation.
The Nikud System — Hebrew Vowels
The Hebrew vowel system includes marks such as kamatz (ָ), patach (ַ), tzere (ֵ), chiriq (ִ), cholam (ֹ), and shuruk (וּ). In children's books, poetry, and prayer books, nikud appears to assist reading. In the AlephBet app, every letter is presented with native speaker pronunciation — so children hear the correct sound directly.
Why Correct Pronunciation Matters
Hearing correct letter pronunciation is the first step in learning to read Hebrew. Research shows that children exposed to properly pronounced letter sounds develop stronger phonological awareness — a foundational skill for independent reading. At ages 3-5, listening to letter sounds is even more important than visual letter recognition.
Sounds like: Silent letter (glottal stop)
Sounds like: "b" as in boy / "v" as in vest
Sounds like: "g" as in go
Hear All 22 Letters in the App
Sounds like: "d" as in door
Sounds like: "h" as in hello
Sounds like: "v" as in vine
Sounds like: "z" as in zoo
Sounds like: "ch" as in Bach (guttural)
Sounds like: "t" as in ten
Sounds like: "y" as in yes
Sounds like: "k" as in kite / "kh" guttural
Sounds like: "l" as in lamp
Sounds like: "m" as in moon
Sounds like: "n" as in nice
Sounds like: "s" as in sun
Sounds like: Silent letter (pharyngeal)
Sounds like: "p" as in pen / "f" as in fish
Sounds like: "ts" as in cats
Sounds like: "k" as in king (deeper)
Sounds like: "r" as in run (guttural)
Sounds like: "sh" as in ship / "s" as in sun
Sounds like: "t" as in top
Sounds like: "kh" guttural (end of word)
Sounds like: "m" as in moon (end of word)
Sounds like: "n" as in nice (end of word)
Sounds like: "f" as in fish (end of word)
Sounds like: "ts" as in cats (end of word)
Get the AlephBet App
Get the AlephBet App
Hear every letter pronounced by a native speaker, plus interactive tracing and games
Hebrew Letter Pronunciation Tips for Parents
Some Hebrew sounds don't exist in other languages, and even young native speakers may find them challenging. Here are the most common pronunciation challenges:
Chet and Khaf — Two Throat Sounds
The letter Chet (ח) represents a deep guttural sound produced in the throat, while Khaf (כ without dagesh) is a softer, palatal 'KH' sound. In modern spoken Hebrew, many speakers pronounce them similarly, but the distinction matters for reading and spelling.
Ayin — The Unique Sound
The letter Ayin (ע) represents a guttural sound that doesn't exist in English or European languages. In Mizrachi pronunciation, Ayin is a deep throat consonant. In everyday Israeli Hebrew, it is often pronounced like Aleph (a glottal stop). In the AlephBet app, every letter is recorded in modern Israeli pronunciation.
Resh — The Guttural R
Unlike the English R, the Hebrew Resh is a guttural sound produced at the back of the mouth. It's one of the later sounds children acquire, typically by age 5-6. Don't worry if a young child pronounces Resh differently — this is completely natural.
How to Practice Letter Sounds at Home
Listen to each letter with your child in the app and try repeating together. Focus on fun rather than perfect accuracy — playful repetition builds sound-letter connections far more effectively than forced practice. Press the play button again and again — kids love it!