A Guide to Writing Arabic
by Sara Hoffmeier

Start Writing Arabic Today - It’s Easier Than You Think

Just finished your placement test or first lesson?
This is your next real step: a clear, beautifully designed workbook that helps you start writing Arabic by hand.

Inside you’ll find:

• Simple explanations and guided examples for all 28 letters
• Smart groupings (‘boat letters’, ‘non-joiners’, ‘twins’) to help you remember faster
• Practice pages with writing lines and self-tests
• Friendly tips on pronunciation and study habits
• Clear visual charts showing every letter form

Instant Access

• Instant eBook download — start tracing your first Arabic words in minutes
• Printable on A4 / Letter paper, compatible with tablets or stylus
• Note: Also available as a paperback through Foyles of London (free UK delivery)

Perfect for complete beginners (Language Level A1 or below)
Ideal for students, travellers, humanitarian workers and families
Trusted by thousands of learners worldwide

👉 Start Writing Now, Download Instantly

Sara Hoffmeier

Arabic teacher and author

Sara is an Arabic teacher in Germany. She studied Arabic at the University of Leipzig together with Arabic cross-cultural studies, law and business.

She is a teacher at a specialised language school in Germany. She authored ArabicOnline and ‘A Guide to Writing Arabic’ and regularly organises trips to the Middle-East with students.

ArabicOnline's mission is to prove that Arabic is an accessible language.

Contents

What you should know in advance

An overview of the alphabet
Three important technicalities about writing Arabic First attempts at writing Arabic words

‘Non-joiners’, the hamza, additional help symbols The six ‘non-joiners’ in the Arabic alphabet
The hamza: a ‘letter’ that doesn’t appear in the alphabet The hamza in connection with the letter alif

Additional help symbols with alif

The five ‘boat’ letters

baa’, taa’, thaa’, nuun and yaa’ Test yourself. – Identifying letters.

How to turn ‘grandad’ into ‘limit’ and ‘cheek’

The dot that makes the difference: jeem, Haa’ and khaa’ Changes in shape according to place

‘Non-identical twins’ (1): The letters seen and sheen Three dots that make the difference

‘Non-identical twins’ (2): The letters Saad and Daad How to write the letters Saad and Daad
Changes in shape according to place

Revision of the letters dealt with so far

From medicine to zoology: The letters Taa’ and Zaa’ The letter Taa’ – Changes in shape according to place
The letter Zaa’ – Changes in shape according to place

The letters 3ayn and ghain
The number 3 inverted
The letter 3ayn – changes in shape according to place The letter ghain – changes in shape according to place

The letters faa’ and qaaf
Almost identical, with the exception of the dots

Odds and ends

The last four letters: kaaf, laam, meem, haa’ The letter combinations of laam and alif

And finally...

Another two letters that are not in the alphabet The ta’marbuTa and the alifmaksuura

Two activities

Recognising letters Joining up letters