Kaf
كArabicQuick Mnemonic
“Kayak”
Kaf looks like a fishing hook with a little kipper (a fish) sitting inside it.
More mnemonics →About the Arabic Letter ك Kaf
Kaf is a Moon Letter.
Kaf represents the sounds of q, k, and even c. It is pronounced by briefly preventing air from leaving the vocal tract when the back of the tongue lifts and presses against the soft palate at the back of the mouth.
Kaf is connectable to both sides.
You may also see this letter spelled as Kaaf.
Look-alikes
Kaf ( ك ) looks a bit like the next letter Laam ( ل ). But Kaf has a straight base, and Laam has a circular base.
How to Write the Arabic Letter ك Kaf
Most Arabic letters change shape depending on where they appear in a word. Kaf connects on both sides.
Example Arabic Words with ك Kaf (tap to hear)
ك Kaf with Tashkeel
Arabic vowels are written as small marks above or below the letter. Tap to hear Kaf with each short vowel.
Fatha (a)
Short "a" sound
Damma (u)
Short "u" sound
Kasra (i)
Short "i" sound
Kaf is a Moon Letter
Kaf is a moon letterMoon letters keep the ل in ال (al-) — both sounds are pronounced clearly. (حرف قمري). When the definite article ال (al-) comes before Kaf, both letters are pronounced clearly — al-k...The ل keeps its sound.
Key Takeaways: Arabic Letter Kaf
- • Kaf is written ك and sounds like /k/
- • ArabicQuick mnemonic: think of a Kayak to remember its shape
- • It is a moon letter and connects on both sides
- • It has four forms: isolated, initial, medial, and final