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Hebrew alphabet · Lesson 2 of 22

Bet ב

Step 1 of 4

Meet Bet

The second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Bet is one of a few letters that can make two different sounds.

Bet Hebrew Letter (ב): Dagesh, Sound & Practice

What you’ll learn

  • Recognize Bet: ב.
  • Tell Bet with a dagesh (בּ, [b]) apart from Bet without one (ב, [v]).
  • Read the dagesh in real words like אַבָּא (father).

How Bet sounds

Bet (בּ) is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is pronounced like the [b] in the English words "boat" and "boy." When pronounced, the lips come together to stop the airflow before releasing it.

One letter, two sounds

Double Letters

Step 2 of 4

Bet with and without the dagesh

Compare Bet with the dagesh dot and without it, then see both forms in real Hebrew words.

In modern Hebrew, three letters — Bet, Kaf and Pe — can be pronounced in two different ways, depending on whether they contain a small dot called a "dagesh." One of them is Bet (בּ).

Bet with Dagesh

When Bet has a dagesh, it is pronounced [b] — a strong plosive sound like the "b" in "book."

בּ · Bet with a dot (dagesh) in its center, pronounced [b].

בָּא

ba

come

The Hebrew word 'בָּא' [ba] means 'comes' in English. The first letter, Bet (בּ), has a dagesh and a kamatz gadol (ָ) underneath, resulting in the [ba] sound. Aleph (א) is silent in this case, so the correct pronunciation of 'בָּא' is [ba].

At the start of a word, Bet has a dagesh and is pronounced [b]. When a prefix such as ו (and) is attached, it can change to [v], as in וּבָנִים [u-vanim].

Bet without Dagesh

Without a dagesh, Bet is pronounced [v] — a soft sound like the "v" in "video."

ב · Bet without a dot (dagesh), pronounced [v].

אֲבָל

The Hebrew word 'אֲבָל' [aval] means "but" in English. The first letter, Aleph (א), has a hataf patah (ֲ) underneath, producing the [a] sound. The Bet (ב) without a dagesh, combined with a kamatz gadol (ָ), results in [va]. The final letter, Lamed (ל), completes the word, making the correct pronunciation [a-va-l].

Words to Practice:

אַבָּא

aba

father

The Hebrew word 'אַבָּא' [aba] means "father." It consists of Aleph (א), Bet (בּ), and another Aleph (א). A patach (ַ) under the first Aleph gives the [a] sound, and a dagesh with a kamatz (ָ) under the Bet produce [ba]. The final Aleph is silent.

The Hebrew word 'בָּא' [ba] consists of Bet (בּ) and Aleph (א). The Bet has a dagesh, indicating a strong [b] sound. A kamatz (ָ) beneath it gives the [ba] sound. The Aleph does not have a vowel and remains silent.

אַבָּא בָּא

aba ba

Father comes

This phrase consists of two words you have already learned: 'אַבָּא' (father) and 'בָּא' (comes). Try to pronounce them together smoothly.

Conclusions

You have now learned the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet and its two pronunciations. With these new letters, you can start forming words! Look at the examples, listen to their pronunciation, and pay attention to the vowels under the letters. Try to remember these words, as we will use them in future lessons.

Step 3 of 4

Put it into practice

Choose an answer, check it, then read the explanation.

Question 1 of 13 Choose one answer

Find the letter 'Bet' among the given Hebrew letters.

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: ב

This is too easy a question, so go through it without hints. If you still need help, I have a cousin who knows a guy who can give you a hint… for a small fee!

Question 2 of 13 True or false

The letter Bet (בּ) with a dot inside it (Dagesh) sounds like the [b] in the English word 'boat.'

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

When the Hebrew letter Bet (ב) has a Dagesh (dot) inside it, it represents the [b] sound, as in 'boat.'

Question 3 of 13 Choose one answer

When the Hebrew letter Bet (בָּ) is combined with Kamatz Gadol, what sound does it produce?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [ba]

When Bet (בּ) is paired with Kamatz Gadol (ָ), it is pronounced [ba], like in 'father.'

Question 4 of 13 True or false

The letter Bet (ב) without the dot (Dagesh) is pronounced like the [v] in 'vase.'

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

When Bet (ב) does not have a Dagesh, it represents the [v] sound.

Question 5 of 13 Choose one answer

What is the Hebrew word for 'father'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: אַבָּא

The Hebrew word for 'father' is אַבָּא, pronounced [a-ba].

Question 6 of 13 Choose one answer

What is the Hebrew word for 'come'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: בָּא

The Hebrew word for 'come' is בּוֹא, pronounced [bo].

Question 7 of 13 True or false

When the letter Bet (ב) appears at the beginning of a word, does it usually have a dot (Dagesh) and sound like [b]?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

In most cases, Bet at the beginning of a word has a Dagesh inside and is pronounced like [b]. However, exceptions exist in certain grammatical contexts — for example, when a prefix such as ו (and) is attached, as in וּבָנִים [u-vanim].

Question 8 of 13 Choose one answer

How do you pronounce the Hebrew word for 'father' (אַבָּא)?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [a-ba]

The first letter, Aleph (אָ), with Kamatz Gadol represents the [a] sound. The second letter, Bet (בָּ), with Dagesh and Kamatz Gadol, sounds like [ba]. The final Aleph (א) is silent.

Question 9 of 13 True or false

At the end of a word, Bet usually sounds like [b].

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: False

Word-final Bet is almost always pronounced [v], as in לֵב [lev].

Question 10 of 13 Choose one answer

What sound does Bet (בַּ) make when it has a Dagesh and is combined with Patah?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [ba]

When Bet (בַּ) has a Dagesh inside and is combined with Patah, it makes the [ba] sound.

Question 11 of 13 Choose one answer

Which Hebrew vowel sign produces the [a] sound and consists of a horizontal line with two dots beside it?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: Hataf Patah

The vowel sign with a horizontal line and two dots beside it is called 'Hataf Patah.' It represents a reduced [a] sound.

Question 12 of 13 Choose one answer

Which of the following Hebrew letters is marked with Kamatz Gadol?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: בָּ

Kamatz Gadol appears as a small 'T'-like symbol under the letter. When Bet (בָּ) is marked with Kamatz Gadol, it produces the [ba] sound.

Question 13 of 13 Match each pair

Match each Hebrew letter or vowel combination with its correct phonetic value.

Source answer and explanation
  • (א) w/ Patah matches [a]
  • (ב) w/o Dagesh matches [v]
  • (בּ) w/ Dagesh matches [b]

Dagesh in Bet produces a plosive [b] sound, while without it, Bet sounds like [v]. Patah and Kamatz Gadol both give the [a] sound, and Hataf Patah is a reduced [a].

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