Lesson 12: Letters Kaaf (ك) and Laam (ل)
These two letters, along with the Alif (ا), are the tallest letters in the Arabic alphabet, and they are easy to pronounce since their sounds are very similar to English.
Pronunciation, Transcription & Writting
The letter Kaaf (ك) is pronounced and transcribed as a /k/ and the letter Laam (ل) is pronounced and transcribed as an /l/.
They are both dual-joining-letters, which means they connect to both the preceding and following letters in a word.
| Final | Medial | Initial | Isolated | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ـك | ـكـ | كـ | ك | Kāf / kaaf (k) |
| ـل | ـلـ | لـ | ل | Lām / laam (l) |
Arabic Letter Connections: Special Ligatures
As it happens with all the letters in Arabic, the shapes of Kaaf and Laam change depending on their position in a word. This joining of letters into a continuous shape is called "ligature", and, as we have seen, ligatures form the foundation of Arabic writing.
However, in addition to standard connections, Arabic also features special ligatures, where letters are connected in unique ways to enhance both the flow and the aesthetics of the script.
The most common special ligature is the joinning of the ل (Laam) and ا (Alif) into a single, unique shape:
ل + ا = لا / ـلا
Ready to practice what you’ve learned? Let’s see if you can answer these questions correctly!
This self-guided book is designed for absolute beginners who want to learn how to read and write in Levantine Arabic clearly and confidently. Through step-by-step explanations, engaging exercises, and answer keys at the end of each unit, you’ll build your skills gradually and independently.