Meet Tet

The ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Tet makes a plain [t] sound, as in “too,” and it begins the word for “good,” which you’ll hear in the greeting “boker tov.” In Modern Hebrew, Tet sounds exactly like Tav (ת), the last letter of the alphabet, so you have to learn which of the two each word is spelled with.

Tet Hebrew Letter (ט): Sound, Words & Practice

What you’ll learn

Recognize Tet: ט.
Hear its [t] sound, as in “too.”
Read Tet in real words like טוֹב (good).

How Tet sounds

The letter Tet (ט) is the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is pronounced like the [t] in the English word 'too.' To produce this sound, place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth just behind your upper front teeth, then release the air.

Tet and the word for “good”

Tet (ט) begins the word טוֹב [tov], meaning 'good.' A traditional interpretation in the Talmud (Bava Kamma 55a) associates Tet with goodness through this word. You can use this association to remember the letter and the word. When reading, Tet represents the sound [t].

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Tet in real words

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

Words to Practice:

טוֹב

tov

good

The word טוֹב [tov] means 'good' and has one syllable. Tet (ט) gives [t]. Vav with Holam Male (וֹ) represents the vowel [o]; it does not add [v] in this word. Bet at the end of the word has no Dagesh (ב), so it gives [v]. Read the sounds together: [tov].

בֶּטַח

betach

sure; of course

As a reply in conversation, בֶּטַח [be-tach] means 'sure' or 'of course.' In a sentence expressing an assumption, it can also mean 'probably.' The word has two syllables, with stress on the first: BE-tach. Bet with Dagesh (בּ) gives [b], and Segol beneath it adds [e]. Tet with Patah (טַ) gives [ta]. Chet at the end of the word (ח) adds [ch] to complete the second syllable [tach]. Here, ch represents the sound in German 'Bach' or Scottish 'loch'.

Conclusions

You have learned Tet (ט) and practised טוֹב [tov] and בֶּטַח [be-tach]. Remember that וֹ represents [o] in טוֹב; Bet at the end of the word, without Dagesh, provides [v]. If Segol or Patah still feels tricky, revisit the earlier lessons, then practise with the exercises below.

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Your practice results

Use your results to decide what to revisit.