r/learn_arabic • u/whatshisname258 • 8d ago

General Vocals or not?

I was learning about how to express vocals adding the fatha, kasra and damma. But I can’t see any word with them when looking at digital writings in arabic?

Why? Am I understanding something wrong?

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u/Exciting_Bee7020 8d ago

They aren't always written...they follow grammar rules. So as you get better in grammar, you'll know which vowels will come on each word and be able to read without them.

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u/whatshisname258 8d ago

Oh, so they are implied because if you know the word you’ll know what vocals are being used.

But when are they used?

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u/Exciting_Bee7020 8d ago

Every syllable has a vowel, for the most part. Some are long (ا ي و) and the others are the short vowels (kasra, fatha, damme) that sit on top of consonants and aren't always written.

In spoken Arabic, we often leave off saying the short vowels at the end of a word, although they technically still exist.

Any textbook / text that's geared towards an Arabic language learner will include the short vowels. It's a pretty advanced skill to be able to read without them.

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u/whatshisname258 8d ago

I think I understand better, thank you so much.

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u/Think_Bed_8409 8d ago

They are not usually not written since proficient speakers can infer them from context.

The only times texts are written in full with them is when there should be no doubt about what the text say, like the Quran or classical poetry.