The Arabic Letter Yaa (ي) — How to Pronounce & Write

Yaa is the twenty-eighth and final letter of the Arabic alphabet. Like Waaw, it serves a dual role: as a consonant, it makes the /j/ sound (like English “y” in “yes”), and as a long vowel, it produces the /iː/ sound (a long “ee” as in “see”). Its distinctive curved S-shape with two dots below makes it one of the most recognizable letters in Arabic script.

How to pronounce it

Yaa is both a consonant and a long vowel. Its pronunciation depends on context:

• Tip: As a consonant, start with a “y” sound and glide into the next vowel — exactly like English “y” in “yes” or “yellow.” As a long vowel, it extends the “i” sound after a Kasra (يِ → /iː/).
• Common mistake: Don’t confuse Yaa with the English letter “I” — Yaa as a consonant is a quick glide, not a vowel. Also, don’t shorten the long vowel when Yaa functions as /iː/.

How to write it

Yaa is one of the most visually distinctive letters. Its curved shape with two dots below is unique in the Arabic alphabet. Like most letters, it changes form based on position.

Key rule: When Yaa connects, it becomes a small downward stroke with two dots below. When it ends a word, the full S-curve opens up, and the two dots are clearly visible.

Words with ي

Here are common words where Yaa appears in different positions. Tap a card to hear the word, flip it to see the meaning.

Watch out for: ي as consonant vs. vowel

Yaa’s dual role is similar to Waaw:

The key: If Yaa comes after a Kasra (يِ), it’s usually a long vowel making /iː/. If it comes before a vowel, it’s usually the consonant /j/.

Practice tip

Write Yaa ten times, focusing on the smooth S-curve and the two dots below. Then practice these pairs:

يَ + د = يَد (hand) — Yaa as consonant كِي + ف = كِيف (how) — Yaa as long vowel

Say them out loud. Notice how the “y” glide in “yad” is quick and light, while the “ee” in “keef” is held longer. Mastering this distinction will help you read Arabic more fluently and naturally.

Yaa in worship and daily phrases

Yaa opens the vocative particle يا (“O…”), the word Arabs use to call someone directly — Yaa Allah being the most famous example. Inside prayer you meet it twice in a row: iyyaka na’budu (“You alone we worship”) stacks two yaa sounds back to back.

The long ee of yaa is what gives these phrases their stretched, sung quality when recited aloud. It also starts beloved names: Yusuf, Yasmin, Yunus, and Yara all begin with the same two-dot curve.

Frequently asked questions

Is yaa a consonant or a vowel?

Both, like waaw. It opens words as the y in yes and stretches inside words as the long ee in see.

How is yaa different from alif and waaw?

They are the three long-vowel letters: alif for aa, waaw for oo, yaa for ee. Yaa alone carries two dots below.

Why does yaa have two dots below?

To separate it from its dotless siblings in the alif family. In some handwriting styles, final yaa drops its dots and curls under like alif maqsura.