Break down an Arabic word
Enter an Arabic word. You will see the form each letter takes in its position — and where the word breaks open because a non-connector stands there.
Example: مدينة — city
- مـMim at the startm as in moon · IPA [m]
- ـدDal at the endd as in door · IPA [d]does not connect to the left
- يـYa at the starty as in yes, or long i · IPA [j / iː]
- ـنـNun in the middlen as in nose · IPA [n]
- ـةTa marbuta at the endonly at the end of a word, usually a feminine ending · IPA [a / t]does not connect to the left
The word breaks open after د because Dal does not connect to the left. That gap is exactly what many take for a mistake.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same letter sometimes look different on this page?
Because Arabic letters have up to four forms — standalone, at the start of a word, in the middle, at the end. This tool shows exactly which form appears at which position.
Why does a word sometimes break apart in the middle, even without a mistake?
Six Arabic letters (ا د ذ ر ز و) never connect to the left — a new, visually separate piece of the same word necessarily follows. That is correct Arabic script, not a typo.
Is this tool useful for preparing a tattoo?
Yes — it shows the exact same breakdown this site's check engine uses internally before a text is approved for a tattoo.
To learn more
Material that actually makes the shapes stick.
Arabic alphabet flashcards
All 28 letters with their positional forms on cards. Good for repetition, no substitute for a textbook.
View on Amazon- Most worth starting with
Arabic for beginners, with audio
Pronunciation matters a lot in Arabic — without an audio track you won't learn the guttural sounds.
View on Amazon Alphabet poster for the wall
Passive learning just by looking at it. Look for an edition that shows all four positional forms.
View on Amazon
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