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Hebrew alphabet · Lesson 6 of 22

Vav ו

Step 1 of 4

Meet Vav

The sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Vav usually makes a [v] sound, and can also work as a vowel letter for [o] or [u].

Vav Hebrew Letter (ו): Sound, Vowels & Practice

What you’ll learn

  • Recognize Vav: ו.
  • Hear its [v] sound, and the two vowel marks used only with Vav: Holam Male [o] and Shuruk [u].
  • Read Vav in real words like דוֹב (bear).

How Vav sounds

"Vav (ו) is the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It typically sounds like the [v] in 'vase' in English, but in certain cases, it can also represent the [u] or [o] sound, functioning as a vowel.

Step 2 of 4

Holam Male, Shuruk and new words

Meet two vowel marks that appear only with Vav — Holam Male [o] and Shuruk [u] — then see Vav in real Hebrew words.

Holam Male is a dot placed above Vav (וֹ) and produces a sound similar to the [o] in the English word 'no.' It is used exclusively with Vav, and when you see it, remember that Vav functions as a vowel, meaning its usual consonant sound is not pronounced.

Shuruk is a dot placed in the middle of the Hebrew letter Vav (וּ), producing the [u] sound, as in the English words 'moon' or 'food.' When Vav has a Shuruk, it functions as a vowel, meaning its usual consonant sound is not pronounced.

Words to Practice:

דוֹב

dov

bear

The Hebrew word 'דּוֹב' [dov] consists of three letters: Dalet (ד), Vav (ו), and Bet (ב). The first letter, Dalet, is pronounced with a [d] sound. The following Vav is accompanied by a Holam, which gives it the [o] sound. The final letter, Bet, is pronounced with a [v] sound. Together, they form the word [dov].

דוּד

dud

boiler

The Hebrew word 'דּוּד' [dud] consists of three letters: Dalet (ד), Vav (ו), and Dalet (ד) again. The first Dalet is pronounced with a [d] sound. The middle Vav has a Shuruk, which gives it the [u] sound. The final Dalet repeats the [d] sound.

וַו

vav

hook

The Hebrew word 'וַו' [vav] consists of two identical letters—both Vav (ו). The first Vav has a Patach (a horizontal line) beneath it, producing the [va] sound. The second Vav represents the consonant [v]. Therefore, the word is pronounced [vav], with the emphasis on the first syllable.

Conclusions

Today, you’ve added a new letter to your arsenal of knowledge, along with a few new words. The letter Vav (ו) is fascinating yet not so simple. I hope you remember its pronunciation nuances, especially how it changes with Holam Male and Shuruk. Now, I recommend reinforcing your knowledge with a few engaging exercises.

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 'Vav' among the given Hebrew letters.

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: ו

The Hebrew letter Vav (ו) is the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It usually represents the consonantal sound [v], but it can also function as a vowel, representing [o] or [u] in specific cases.

Question 2 of 13 True or false

Holam Male is a dot above Vav (וֹ), and it makes a sound like [o] in the English word 'no.'

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

Holam Male represents the [o] sound, similar to the [o] in the English word 'no.'

Question 3 of 13 Choose one answer

How do you pronounce the Hebrew word for 'bear' (דּוֹב)?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [dov]

The Hebrew word 'דּוֹב' consists of Dalet (ד), Vav (ו) with Holam Male (וֹ), and Bet (ב) pronounced as [v]. Together, they form the word [dov].

Question 4 of 13 True or false

The letter Bet (ב) at the end of a word is usually pronounced as [v], like in the English word 'vase.'

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

In Hebrew, Bet (ב) at the end of a word usually does not have a Dagesh and is pronounced as [v].

Question 5 of 13 Choose one answer

How do you pronounce the Hebrew word for 'boiler' (דּוּד)?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [dud]

The Hebrew word 'דּוּד' consists of Dalet (ד), Vav (ו) with Shuruk (וּ), and Dalet (ד). The Shuruk vowel gives the [u] sound, making the pronunciation [dud].

Question 6 of 13 True or false

Shuruk is the letter Vav (וּ) with a dot inside it, representing the [u] sound, like in 'moon.'

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

Shuruk (וּ) is a vowel mark that produces the [u] sound, similar to the English word 'moon.'

Question 7 of 13 Match each pair

Match each Vav configuration with its corresponding phonetic sound.

Source answer and explanation
  • Plain Vav (ו) matches [v]
  • (וּ) w/ Shuruk matches [u]
  • (וֹ) w/ Holam Male matches [o]

For example, a dot above Vav (Holam Male) represents [o], while a dot inside Vav (Shuruk) represents [u].

Question 8 of 13 Choose one answer

How do you pronounce the Hebrew word for 'hook' (וַו)?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [vav]

The Hebrew word 'וַו' (vav) consists of two Vav letters. The first Vav has a Patach (ַ), producing the [va] sound, while the second Vav is pronounced [v].

Question 9 of 13 True or false

When the letter Vav (וַ) is combined with the Patah vowel sign, it produces the [va] sound.

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: True

Patah represents the [a] sound. When combined with Vav (וַ), it produces [va].

Question 10 of 13 Choose one answer

Which of the following letters makes the [u] sound, as in the English word 'moon'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: וּ

Shuruk (וּ) is the vowel that produces the [u] sound.

Question 11 of 13 Choose one answer

What is the typical sound of a plain Vav (ו) without vowel markings?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [v] as in 'vase'

A plain Vav is pronounced as the consonant [v], like in 'vase.'

Question 12 of 13 True or false

Does Vav with Shuruk (וּ) produce the [o] sound as in 'no'?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: False

Vav with Shuruk (וּ) produces the [u] sound as in 'moon,' not [o].

Question 13 of 13 Choose one answer

Which of the following sounds is NOT produced by the letter Vav in Hebrew?

Source answer and explanation

Source answer: [a] as in 'father'

Vav with Holam Male gives [o], with Shuruk gives [u], and as a consonant, it sounds [v].

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