Arabic Letter Alif (ا)

In Arabic, letters change shape based on their position. Most letters have four shapes. Alif is different and much simpler. It only has two main looks. It either stands alone or connects to the letter before it. It never, ever connects to the letter after it. This is a golden rule. If you try to connect it to the left, you are actually writing a different letter! Think of it like a one-way street. Traffic (the pen) can come in from the right. But it cannot exit to the left. When Alif is at the start of a word, it acts as a 'carrier.' It holds a little symbol called a Hamza (ء). This combo creates the 'a', 'i', or 'u' sounds at the start of words like Ana (I). In the middle of a word, it usually acts as a long 'aa' sound. It stretches the vowel like a piece of chewing gum.

1. 1Writing the Alif is the easiest part of your day. Follow these simple steps:
2. 2Start at the top of the line.
3. 3Draw a straight vertical stroke downward.
4. 4Stop exactly at the baseline. Do not go below it.
5. 5If it is at the start of a word, it stands alone: ا.
6. 6If it follows another letter, draw a small tail from the previous letter up to the top: ـا.
7. 7Remember: Leave a small gap after the Alif before starting the next letter.
8. 8It is like drawing a tall fence post. Just make sure it does not lean too much. A straight Alif is a happy Alif!

Use Alif when you need to make a long 'aa' sound. This is very common in nouns and verbs. For example, when you are at a cafe and want a Kitaab (book) to read with your coffee. The 'aa' in Kitaab is an Alif. You also use it at the beginning of words that start with a vowel sound. If you are introducing yourself, you say Ana (I). That first 'A' is an Alif. It also appears in the definite article Al- (The). If you are looking for the 'The Bathroom' (Al-Hammam), you will see that Alif leading the way. It is the ultimate 'start' button for many Arabic words.

Do not use Alif for short vowel sounds. Beginners often make this mistake. If the 'a' sound is quick, like the 'a' in 'cat,' you use a small diagonal dash above a letter called a Fatha. You only use Alif when the sound is held longer, like the 'a' in 'far.' Also, do not use it to connect letters. If you see a vertical line that connects to the left, stop! That is not an Alif. That is the letter Laam (L). Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Alif means 'Stop connecting.' Laam means 'Keep going.'

Connecting to the left is the number one mistake. Even native speakers might do this when rushing, but it changes the word entirely. It is like turning an 'o' into a 'p' in English. Another mistake is making it too short. If it is too short, it looks like a Dal or a tiny vowel mark. Give it some height! It should be the tallest letter on the line. Some people also forget the Hamza on top when it is at the start of a word. Without the Hamza, it is just a long vowel, which usually does not happen at the very start of a word. It is like wearing a suit without a tie—technically okay, but it looks a bit unfinished.

Let us compare Alif (ا) with Laam (ل). They look like twins at first glance. Both are tall vertical lines. However, Laam is friendly. It connects to both sides. Alif is the loner. It only connects to the right. Also, compare Alif to the Hamza. The Hamza is the actual sound (the glottal stop). The Alif is often just the chair the Hamza sits on. In a job interview, you might say Astati'u (I can). The first letter is an Alif carrying a Hamza. The Alif provides the structure, while the Hamza provides the 'click' in your throat.