There are three main short vowels in Arabic:

• Fatha (َ) – a small diagonal line above a letter. It makes the "a" sound, like in "cat".

  • Example: بَ (ba)

• Kasra (ِ) – a small diagonal line below a letter. It makes the "i" sound, like in "bit".

  • Example: بِ (bi)

• Damma (ُ) – a small curved shape above a letter. It makes the "u" sound, like in "but".

  • Example: بُ (bu)

• Sukun (ْ) – a small circle above a letter. It shows the letter has no vowel sound.

  • Example: بْ (b without a vowel)

• Shadda (ّ) – a small w-shaped mark above a letter. It means the letter is doubled.

  • Example: بّ (bba)

• Tanween – double vowel sounds at the end of words:

  • اً ٌ ٍ (an, un, in sounds)

When you see a vowel mark, combine its sound with the letter's sound:

Follow these steps to write each vowel:

1. Writing Fatha (َ) – Draw a short diagonal line from left to right above the letter.
2. Writing Kasra (ِ) – Draw a short diagonal line from left to right below the letter.
3. Writing Damma (ُ) – Draw a small curve like a tiny "w" above the letter.
4. Writing Sukun (ْ) – Draw a small circle above the letter.
5. Writing Shadda (ّ) – Draw a small "w" shape above the letter.

Look at this word from your textbook: كِتَابٌ (kitabun - book)

• ك = k (first letter)
• ِ = i sound (kasra below)
• ت = t (second letter)
• َ = a sound (fatha above)
• ا = a (alif)
• ب = b (third letter)
• ٌ = un sound (tanween damma)

So we read: ki-ta-bun

• Gallery Walk: Look at different Arabic words on the classroom wall and identify the vowel marks in each one.
• Group Discussion: Work with your classmates to match vowel marks with their sounds.
• Demonstration: Watch your teacher write each vowel mark on the board, then practice writing them yourself.

• Vowel marks are small but very important for correct pronunciation.
• Always look for the vowel mark to know how to read an Arabic letter.
• Practice writing each mark carefully, placing it in the correct position.

In Tanzania, you will use Arabic vowels when reading religious texts, greetings on Islamic occasion cards, or Arabic words written on shops in your community. For example, when you see the word سَلامُ (salamu - peace) on a greeting card during Eid, knowing the vowel marks helps you read it correctly as "sah-lah-moo" instead of guessing the sounds.