Introduced in Lesson 5

I use a memory device like: There's a single dot on an i, eggs in a carton, draw the line, over o, and oo under u.

This is called the shewa and when it makes a sound, it is a shewa na and sounds like the “u” in upon.

When it is at the end of a closed syllable, however, it is called a shewa nakh, isn't considered a vowel, and doesn't make any sound.

Short: This is called the ħiriq and it makes a sound like the “ee” in seed.

It can also be followed by a yod which is present as a matre lectionis.

Short: The three dots arranged like a grape bunch are called segol and sound like the “e” in red.

Reduced: The five dots, a segol with a shewa next to it, are called hataf segol and sound like the “e” in metallic, and only normally occurs on guttural letters or yod.

Long: The two dots side-by-side are called tsere and sounds like the “ey” in grey. It can also be followed by a yod which is present as a matre lectionis.

Short: The horizontal line is called pataħ, and sounds like the “a” in lather.

It may be followed by either an alef (anywhere) or a heh (end of the word only) where it is acting as matres lectionis.

Reduced: The pataħ with a shewa next to it is called a ħataf pataħ and is usually found on |guttural letters. It makes the same ““a” sound.

The line with a teardrop under it or “T” shape is called a qamatz and usually sounds like the “a” in father.

The qamatz may be followed by either an alef (anywhere) or a heh (end of the word only) where it is acting as matres lectionis.

The qamatz ħatuf make an “o” sound as in token.

The line with a teardrop or “T” shape with a shewa next to it is called hataf qamatz, and makes an “au” sound as in bauble. It usually appears under gutturals, but can occasionally appear under other letters.

Short: The dot over the left side of the letter is called holam, and makes the sound of an “o” as in “code.”

Long: The dot over the vav is a matre lectionis called a holam vav, and makes the same sound.

Short: The three diagonal dots are called qubbutz and sound like the “u” in rude.

Long: The vav with a dot in the middle is another matre lectionis called shuruq and makes the same “u” sound. Remember, a dot over the vav's head is oh, “over”, but a dot in its middle, like it has been punched in the gut makes the “oof” sound.