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Hebrew alphabet · Lesson 8 of 22

Chet ח

Step 1 of 4

Meet Chet

The eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Chet makes a guttural [ch] sound, as in German “Bach” or Scottish “loch” — air flows continuously through a narrow space at the back of the mouth.

Chet Hebrew Letter (ח): Sound, Furtive Patah & Practice

What you’ll learn

  • Recognize Chet: ח.
  • Hear its guttural [ch] sound, as in “Bach.”
  • Read Chet in real words like אָח (brother).

How Chet sounds

Chet (ח) is the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In common modern Hebrew pronunciation, its sound is similar to the ch in German 'Bach' or Scottish 'loch.' Let air flow continuously through a narrow space at the back of the mouth. In this lesson, ch represents this sound, rather than the English ch in 'chair.'

Step 2 of 4

Chet in real words

See Chet in two new Hebrew words, and review the Segol, Holam Male and Shuruk vowel marks from earlier letters.

Words to Practice:

אָח

ach

brother

The word אָח [ach] means 'brother' and has one syllable. Kamatz Gadol under Aleph (אָ) represents [a]. Chet at the end of the word (ח) supplies [ch]. There is no vowel sign under Chet in this word.

חַג

chag

holiday

The word חַג [chag] means 'holiday' or 'festival' and has one syllable. It consists of Chet (ח) and Gimel (ג). Chet represents [ch]; with Patah beneath it (חַ), it is read [cha]. Gimel adds [g], giving [chag].

Conclusions

Today, you learned the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and expanded your vocabulary with two new words. You've made great progress—now it's time to practice and reinforce what you've learned.

Step 3 of 4

Put it into practice

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

Question 1 of 15 Choose one answer

What sound does the letter Chet (ח) produce in the word 'אָח'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [ch] as in 'Bach'

Chet is pronounced as a guttural [ch] sound, similar to the German 'Bach' or the Scottish 'loch.'

Question 2 of 15 Choose one answer

How is the final חַ read when it has a furtive Patah, as in כּוֹחַ?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [ach]

With a furtive Patah, [a] is pronounced before the final Chet, giving [ach]. For example, כּוֹחַ [ko-ach] means 'strength.'

Question 3 of 15 True or false

Does Chet (ח) have the same sound as the h in English 'hat'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: False

Chet is produced with friction at the back of the mouth. Its sound is similar to ch in German 'Bach' or Scottish 'loch', and differs from h in English 'hat'.

Question 4 of 15 Choose one answer

Which Hebrew word means 'brother'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: אָח

The Hebrew word 'אָח' means 'brother.'

Question 5 of 15 Choose one answer

Which Hebrew word means 'holiday'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: חג

The Hebrew word 'חג' means 'holiday.'

Question 6 of 15 Choose one answer

Which description best matches the sound of Chet (ח)?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: A guttural [ch]

Chet has a guttural pronunciation, unlike the soft [h] sound.

Question 7 of 15 True or false

In the word 'אָח', does Aleph carry the [a] sound while Chet produces a guttural [ch] sound?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

In אָח, Kamatz Gadol under Aleph represents [a], and Chet gives [ch]. Together they form [ach].

Question 8 of 15 Choose one answer

What effect does a Patah vowel have on the pronunciation of Chet?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: It adds an [a] sound

Patah represents [a]. In חַג [chag], it is read after Chet: [cha]. With a furtive Patah under final Chet, the vowel comes first: [ach].

Question 9 of 15 Choose one answer

In the word 'חג', which letter produces the [g] sound?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: ג

In 'חג', the letter Gimel (ג) provides the [g] sound.

Question 10 of 15 Choose one answer

What sound does Vav produce when marked with Holam Male (וֹ)?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [o]

Holam Male (וֹ) represents [o]. Keep the vowel steady. The vowel in English 'no' is only an approximation because it often glides.

Question 11 of 15 Choose one answer

What sound does Vav produce when it has a Shuruk (וּ)?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [u]

With Shuruk, Vav gives a [u] sound, as in 'moon.'

Question 12 of 15 True or false

Does Chet (ח) sound like [k] in 'kite'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: False

Chet is a guttural sound, unlike the hard [k] in 'kite.'

Question 13 of 15 Choose one answer

How do you translate the word 'אָח' [ach] into English?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: brother

The Hebrew word 'אָח' translates to 'brother.'

Question 14 of 15 Choose one answer

Which of the following Hebrew letters is marked with a Segol?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: חֶ

Segol consists of three dots arranged in a triangle beneath a letter and represents [e] in modern Hebrew.

Question 15 of 15 Choose one answer

How is the ending חַ read with a furtive Patah in כּוֹחַ?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [ach]

In כּוֹחַ [ko-ach], meaning 'strength,' the Patah is read before Chet. The ending is [ach], with [a] followed by the Chet sound [ch].

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