Tikud

Tikud, also transliterated as nikud or nikkud, refers to the system of diacritical marks used in Hebrew script to indicate vowels and certain phonetic features. The marks are placed above, below, or inside letters and are used together with the consonantal framework to guide correct pronunciation and reading.

The main purpose of tikud is to supply vowel sounds in texts where readers would otherwise rely on consonants alone. Common marks indicate sounds such as i, e, a, o, and u, and they also signal shortened or elongated vowels and certain syllable patterns. In addition to vowels, a set of cantillation marks is used for liturgical chanting, though these are separate from the vowel signs themselves. In everyday modern Hebrew, vowel points are often omitted in ordinary print, especially in newspapers and street signage, with readers relying on context and knowledge of vocabulary.

Historically, the system of vowel notation developed in the early medieval period, most prominently in the Tiberian tradition established by Masoretes in the Land of Israel and surrounding regions. The Tiberian vocalization became the standard reference for Hebrew pronunciation and is still the most widely used form today, though other traditions exist. Tikud is essential in religious texts, language education, and dictionaries, where precise pronunciation is important.

In digital text, tikud is encoded with combining diacritical marks in Unicode. Software and fonts that support hebrew nikud can render vowel points, allowing learners and scholars to study pronunciation, read liturgical passages, and consult lexicons with full vocalization.