This detailed guide explains how to write and pronounce the Arabic letter ي {yạʾ}.

This video provides easy tips and techniques to make writing and pronouncing Arabic letters simple.

Timestamp:

00:00 Intro to the letter ي {yạʾ}
00:10 How to write the Arabic letter ي {yạʾ}
00:55 How to pronounce the Arabic letter ي {yạʾ}?
01:38 The different forms of writing the letter ي {yạʾ} according to its positions.
2:35 How to pronounce the Arabic letter ي {yạʾ} with harakat (Arabic vowles); Shaddah, damma, kassrah, tanween, sukoun, mad?
3:15 Play and learn: Let’s practice how to pronounce the letter ي {yạʾ}.

The Arabic letter ي (yāʾ) is the 28th and final letter of the Arabic alphabet. It is one of the most frequently used letters in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) because it can function as both a consonant and a long vowel. Therefore, learning to write and pronounce ي correctly is essential for reading, writing, and speaking Arabic naturally.

What Is the Letter ي?

• Arabic Name: ياء (yāʾ)
• Isolated Form: ي
• English Approximation: y as in yes
• Arabic Transliteration: y
• Letter Type: Consonant and long vowel

As a consonant, ي sounds like the English y in yellow or yes.

As a long vowel, it represents the sound ī, similar to the ee in see, but held slightly longer.

How to Pronounce ي

As a consonant (y)

Place the middle of your tongue close to the roof of your mouth without completely blocking the airflow.

Examples:

• يَد (yad) – hand
• يَوْم (yawm) – day
• يَكْتُب (yaktubu) – he writes

The sound is identical or very close to the English y in:

• yes
• yellow
• young

As a long vowel (ī)

When ي is preceded by a kasra (ـِ) and has no vowel of its own, it represents the long vowel ī.

Examples:

• كَبِير (kabīr) – big
• جَمِيل (jamīl) – beautiful
• فِي (fī) – in

This sound resembles the ee in:

• see
• tree
• green

Remember to hold the vowel slightly longer than an ordinary short vowel.

How to Write ي

The letter ي changes its shape depending on its position in the word.

Unlike many other Arabic letters, ي always has two dots underneath.

Stroke Order

To write ي correctly:

1. Draw the main curved body.
2. Extend the tail when necessary.
3. Add two dots below the letter.

Always write the body first and the dots last.

Connecting ي

The letter ي connects to both the letter before it and the letter after it.

Examples:

Examples of Words with ي

At the beginning

• يَد (yad) – hand
• يَوْم (yawm) – day
• يَمِين (yamīn) – right

In the middle

• بَيْت (bayt) – house
• سَيَّارَة (sayyārah) – car
• حَيَاة (ḥayāh) – life

At the end

• فِي (fī) – in
• عَلِي (ʿAlī) – Ali
• نَبِي (nabī) – prophet

Common Pronunciation Mistakes

Confusing ي with ج

Incorrect:

• جيس

Correct:

• يَس (yas)

Making the long vowel too short

Incorrect:

• فِ

Correct:

• فِي (fī)

The long vowel should last about twice as long as a short vowel.

Forgetting the two dots

Without the two dots, the letter becomes ى (alif maqṣūrah) in many fonts, which is a different letter with different spelling rules.

Difference Between ي and ى

Although they may appear similar, these two letters are different.

Examples:

• فِي (fī) – in
• فَتَى (fatā) – young man

Practice Reading

Read these words aloud:

• يَد (yad)
• يَوْم (yawm)
• بَيْت (bayt)
• كَبِير (kabīr)
• جَمِيل (jamīl)
• فِي (fī)
• سَيَّارَة (sayyārah)
• حَيَاة (ḥayāh)
• نَبِي (nabī)

Try reading them slowly first, then increase your speed while keeping the pronunciation accurate.

Practice Writing

Write each word five times:

• يَد
• يَوْم
• بَيْت
• كَبِير
• جَمِيل
• فِي

Focus on:

• Writing the curved body smoothly.
• Keeping the two dots below the letter.
• Connecting ي correctly with neighboring letters.

Quick Summary

• ي is called yāʾ (ياء).
• It is the 28th letter of the Arabic alphabet.
• As a consonant, it sounds like y in yes.
• As a vowel, it represents the long sound ī, similar to ee in see.
• It has two dots underneath.
• It connects to both the preceding and following letters.
• Do not confuse ي with ى, as they have different forms and functions.