Hebrew Punctuation Maqaf Letter
The Hebrew punctuation maqaf (־) is used to link words and parts of a phrase without a space.
U+05BE
The Hebrew punctuation maqaf is the character ׀ used in written Hebrew to connect elements of text. It looks like a short horizontal bar and is often used where you would otherwise see a separator or hyphen. Below you’ll find the exact character, its Unicode details, and practical ways to copy it.
Hebrew Punctuation Maqaf Letter Meaning
The maqaf (U+05BE, “HEBREW PUNCTUATION MAQAF”) is a Hebrew punctuation mark used to connect words or word parts as a single unit. In practice, it functions like a linking punctuation: instead of separating terms with a space, it visually joins them with a short bar. This is commonly seen in hyphen-like constructions where Hebrew orthography prefers maqaf. When typing or rendering Hebrew text, using the correct character (not a normal ASCII hyphen or dash) helps maintain proper typography and consistency across fonts and systems.
Common uses
- •Linking two related words in Hebrew text without a space (hyphen-like joining).
- •Connecting name elements or components where Hebrew typography expects maqaf.
- •Separating parts of a phrase or compound term while keeping them visually grouped.
- •Using the correct punctuation in Hebrew UI labels and localized strings.
- •Typographic consistency in printed and digital Hebrew content where maqaf is expected.
Examples
־ Hebrew Punctuation Maqaf
- ־אברהם־לינקולן
- ־תל־אביב
- ־יום־טוב
- ־ראש־חודש
- ־ספר־קורס
Variations
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+05BE | |
| HTML Entity | ־ | |
| HTML Code | ־ | |
| CSS | \05BE |
FAQ
What does the Hebrew Punctuation Maqaf letter mean?
The maqaf (U+05BE, “HEBREW PUNCTUATION MAQAF”) is a Hebrew punctuation mark used to connect words or word parts as a single unit. In practice, it functions like a linking punctuation: instead of separating terms with a space, it visually joins them with a short bar. This is commonly seen in hyphen-like constructions where Hebrew orthography prefers maqaf. When typing or rendering Hebrew text, using the correct character (not a normal ASCII hyphen or dash) helps maintain proper typography and consistency across fonts and systems.
What is the Unicode code point for the Hebrew maqaf?
It is U+05BE (HEBREW PUNCTUATION MAQAF).
How do I copy the character?
Copy the symbol from this page: ־ . You can also use the HTML entity ־.
Is the maqaf the same as a normal hyphen (-)?
No. The maqaf is a distinct Hebrew punctuation character (U+05BE). A standard ASCII hyphen-minus is a different character.
How can I insert it in HTML or JavaScript?
HTML: use ־. JavaScript: use \\u{05BE} or \\\\05BE depending on your environment.