The Arabic alphabet:
Variations of some letters
There are variations of some of the letters of the Alphabet caused by vowelling, among other things. For example, the ء sometimes comes on its own and sometimes needs a supporting letter, in which case this letter is either ا or و or ي depending on the vowel above/below ء, and where the ء is placed in the word.
| note1 | ء |
| note2 | ؤ |
| note3 | إ |
| note3 | ئ |
| note4 | آ |
| note5 | ا |
| note5 | ى |
| note6 | ة |
A word about ء
When ء comes at the beginning of a word it must be above/below an ا. It is placed below if it is vowelled with a ــِـ, otherwise it is placed above. In any other position in a word, if it is supported by an ا it is always placed above, even if vowelled with a ــِـ.
Notes:
- Here ء is without support
- ء support by و
- إ is only found at the beginning of a word, ئ never at the beginning.
- أ with the long vowel ــَا
- sometimes in place of ا in the long vowel ــَا; always at the end of a word
- another form of ت, frequently suffixed to a noun to indicate that it is feminine. Always comes at the end of nouns; never found with verbs of particles.