Meet Yaa (ي), the twenty-eighth and final letter of the Arabic alphabet. It has two dots below in its standard letter form and connects on both sides when neighboring letters permit it. Depending on the word, Yaa can represent a y consonant sound or help represent a long ī vowel sound.
What Is the Arabic Letter Yaa (ي)?
Yaa is letter number 28 and the final letter in the standard Arabic alphabet. As a consonant, it commonly represents the sound /y/, similar to the y in “yes.” In addition, Yaa can help represent the long ī vowel sound in Arabic words.
Where Are the Dots on the Arabic Letter Yaa?
Look below the letter.
Standard Yaa (ي) has two dots below. The dots are an important clue for beginners because several Arabic letters share related connected shapes. Therefore, always check both the body and the dots.
For standard Yaa, remember: two dots below = ي. Do not confuse it with the dotless Alif Maqsura ى.
How to Write Yaa (ي) in Its Four Arabic Forms
Yaa is a connecting Arabic letter, so its shape changes according to its position inside a word. It can appear in isolated, initial, medial, and final forms. However, the exact connection still depends on the neighboring letters.
Yaa can connect on both sides. Nevertheless, a non-connecting neighboring letter can break the connection inside a word.
Yaa as a Consonant and a Long Vowel
Like Waaw, Yaa can have more than one role in Arabic spelling. Sometimes it functions as a consonant with a y sound. In other contexts, it helps represent the long vowel ī.
In يَد (yad, “hand”), Yaa functions as a consonant. Here, its sound is similar to the English y in “yes.”
In كَبِير (kabeer, “big”), Yaa helps represent a long ī sound. As a result, learners should not assume that every ي is pronounced as the consonant /y/.
Yaa (ي) vs Alif Maqsura (ى): What Is the Difference?
Yaa (ي) and Alif Maqsura (ى) may look similar, especially at the end of a word. However, they are not the same letter. Standard Yaa has two dots below, while Alif Maqsura is written without those dots and represents a final long ā sound.
ى is Alif Maqsura, not a dotless Yaa. For beginners, the two dots are one of the easiest visual clues for distinguishing standard final Yaa from Alif Maqsura.
How Do You Pronounce the Arabic Letter Yaa?
When Yaa functions as a consonant, it commonly represents the sound /y/, similar to English y in “yes.” With short vowels, beginners can practice the combinations ya, yi, and yu.
Arabic Words with the Letter Yaa (ي)
Now find Yaa in these useful Arabic words. The examples show Yaa at different positions and also demonstrate its consonant and vowel roles. Notice how its shape changes when it connects to neighboring letters.
Practice the Arabic Letter Yaa
Find every Yaa (ي).
Trace Yaa.
Read the four forms of Yaa.
Read Yaa with short vowels.
Which one is Yaa?
Find Yaa inside these words.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arabic Yaa
What is Yaa in Arabic?
Yaa (ي) is the twenty-eighth and final letter of the standard Arabic alphabet.
How is the Arabic letter Yaa pronounced?
As a consonant, Yaa commonly represents /y/, similar to the English y in “yes.” It can also help represent a long ī vowel sound.
How many dots does Yaa have?
Standard Yaa (ي) has two dots below the letter.
Does Yaa connect to other Arabic letters?
Yes. Yaa can connect on both sides when the neighboring letters also permit connection.
What are the four forms of Yaa?
Yaa can appear as ي, يـ, ـيـ, or ـي depending on its position and connection inside a word.
Is Yaa (ي) the same as Alif Maqsura (ى)?
No. Yaa (ي) and Alif Maqsura (ى) are different. Standard Yaa has two dots below, while Alif Maqsura has no dots and represents a final long ā sound.
Can Yaa represent a long vowel?
Yes. In the appropriate Arabic spelling pattern, Yaa can help represent the long vowel ī.
What are some Arabic words with Yaa?
Examples include يد (yad), بيت (bayt), and سعودي (saudi).
You Reached Letter 28!
Yaa (ي) is the final letter of the Arabic alphabet. Return to the Arabic Letters Lab to review all 28 letters, their sounds, shapes, and connected forms.
Review All 28 Arabic Letters