Learn Nikud – פַּתָּח, קָמַץ, חָטַף פָּתַח = A
אַ – פָּתַח (patach)
אָ – קָמַץ (kamatz)
אֲ – חָטַף-פָּתַח (hataf – patach)
All these symbols are pronounced A
For example, the Hebrew word for nose is af ף א.
Sometimes a patach may appear under the letters ה , ע and ח at the end of a word. For example: גָּבוֹהַּ,שָׁבוּעַ, שָׂמֵחַ, מִשְׁלוֹחַ The sound A will not be pronounced after the consonant but before it. shavuaa, sameach, mishloach, gavoah .
Sometimes a kamatz will be found in the letter “ך” – ךָּ. It should be pronounced cha. The word אָחִיךָ, meaning your brother in the masculine, is pronounced achicha . With no kamatz , it is pronounced achich meaning your brother, in the feminine.
A rule:
When a kamatz appears in the letter “ך” it refers to the masculine.
For example: דניאל,קח את מכוניתך וסע לביתך. Daniel, kach et mechonitcha vesa leveitcha. (Daniel, take your car and go to your home.)
When the letter “ “ך appears with no kamatz , it refers to the feminine.
For example: דינה, קחי את מכוניתך וסעי לביתך. Dina kchi et mechonitech usei leveitech. (Dina, take your car and drive home.)
Let’s practice.
Read the following sentences.
דָּנָה קָמָה. לָמָּה? כָּכָה.
Dana kama. Lama? Kacha.
Dana got up. Why? Just because.
מָה הַשָּׁעָה?
Ma HaSha´ah?
What time is it?
הַזַּמָּר עָלָה לַבָּמָה.
HaZamar ala la´bama.
The singer got onto the stage.
1) Read the following sentences and place suitable nikud symbols.
1. החלה חמה השבת.
2. למה את רצה השנה?
3. הפעם הוּא גמר בננה.