KOF (kof or koph)
KOF (also spelled koph or qoph) is the nineteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, representing a sound similar to a deep 'k' produced at the back of the throat. With K worth 5 points and F worth 4 points, this short word packs solid scoring potential in word games.
10
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
KOF combines two valuable consonants (K=5, F=4) with a common vowel, making it ideal for tight board situations. As a 3-letter word worth 10 base points, it's perfect for squeezing into small spaces while maintaining good scoring efficiency.
Kof represents a fascinating linguistic bridge between ancient Semitic languages and modern word gaming. As the nineteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, kof (also transliterated as koph or qoph) carries millennia of cultural and religious significance. In Hebrew, this letter represents a emphatic 'k' sound produced deep in the throat—a phoneme that doesn't exist in English but remains crucial in Semitic languages. The letter's inclusion in English dictionaries reflects our language's remarkable ability to absorb words from diverse linguistic traditions.
In the Hebrew alphabet, kof (ק) holds the numerical value of 100, making it significant in gematria, the Jewish practice of assigning mystical meanings to words based on their numerical values. The letter's pictographic origin depicts the back of a head or possibly a monkey (kof means "monkey" in modern Hebrew), suggesting ancient connections between written symbols and the physical world. This evolution from pictograph to abstract letter exemplifies the development of alphabetic writing systems.
The phonetic distinction between kof and the Hebrew letter kaf (כ) illustrates the complexity of Semitic sound systems. While both represent 'k' sounds to English speakers, Hebrew distinguishes between the regular 'k' of kaf and the emphatic, uvular 'q' of kof. This distinction, lost in most European languages, remains vital in Arabic (where the equivalent letter is qaf) and other Semitic languages. Modern Hebrew speakers still maintain this distinction, though it has weakened over time.
In Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah, kof symbolizes holiness and the cycles of life. The letter appears in the Hebrew word "kadosh" (holy) and represents the divine spark that descends into the material world. Its shape—a vertical line with a curved tail descending below the baseline—is interpreted as representing the soul's descent into physicality and its potential return to spiritual heights. This metaphysical dimension adds layers of meaning beyond the letter's linguistic function.
The transliteration challenges of kof highlight the complexities of rendering non-Latin scripts in English. The letter has been variously spelled as kof, koph, qof, and qoph, with each variant attempting to capture its unique sound. The 'q' spelling (qoph) better represents the emphatic quality of the original sound, while 'k' spellings (kof, koph) align with modern Hebrew pronunciation. This variety explains why multiple spellings appear in English dictionaries, each valid for word games.
Beyond Hebrew, cognate letters appear throughout Semitic alphabets. The Arabic qaf, Aramaic qoph, and Phoenician qoph all derive from the same ancient source. The Phoenician version eventually influenced the Greek letter koppa (Ϙ), which fell out of use except as a numeral. This linguistic genealogy demonstrates how alphabets evolve and diverge while maintaining ancient connections.
For word game enthusiasts, KOF offers strategic value as a high-scoring 3-letter word. The K (5 points) and F (4 points) provide excellent point density, while the common O facilitates board placement. As one of several Hebrew letters accepted in English word games (along with ALEF, BETH, GIMEL, etc.), KOF expands players' options for utilizing difficult letters. Its alternative spellings (KOPH, QOPH) provide additional flexibility, though players should verify which variants their specific game accepts.
The etymology of "kof" traces back to ancient Semitic roots, revealing a fascinating journey through multiple writing systems and cultures. The letter's ultimate origin lies in Proto-Sinaitic script (circa 1850 BCE), where it appeared as a pictograph possibly representing a monkey or the back of a head. The Proto-Semitic root *qawp- may have meant "monkey" or "to go around," reflecting either the animal's movements or the letter's curved shape.
The progression from pictograph to letter showcases the evolution of writing:
The English adoptions "kof," "koph," and "qoph" entered the language through different routes. "Koph" appeared in 17th-century biblical scholarship, as Christian Hebraists needed terms for Hebrew letters when discussing original texts. "Qoph" emerged later, attempting to better represent the letter's emphatic pronunciation. "Kof" represents the modern Hebrew pronunciation, simplified from the classical emphatic sound.
The letter's name itself has evolved: ancient Hebrew "qoph," Aramaic "qophā," Arabic "qāf." The meaning "monkey" (if accurate) would make kof unique among Hebrew letters, most of which are named after common objects (alef=ox, beth=house, gimel=camel). Some scholars propose alternative etymologies, suggesting "eye of a needle" or "back of the head," based on the letter's shape.
The Latin letter Q derives directly from qoph through Phoenician, Etruscan, and archaic Latin transmission. This makes every English word containing Q a distant descendant of kof, though the sounds have diverged significantly. While Latin Q combined with U to represent /kw/, the original qoph represented a single emphatic consonant, preserving an ancient phonetic distinction lost in Indo-European languages.
"The Hebrew letter kof represents the number 100 in Jewish numerology."
Religious/linguistic context
"Students learning Hebrew often confuse kof with kaf due to their similar sounds."
Educational context
"The scribe carefully distinguished between kof and kaf in the Torah scroll."
Calligraphy context
"Playing KOF with the K on a double letter score gave me 20 points!"
Word game context
Alternative Forms:
Kof occupies the 19th position in the Hebrew alphabet, positioned between tsade (צ) and resh (ר). This placement is not arbitrary—Hebrew letter order preserves ancient Semitic sequences dating back over 3,000 years. As one of five Hebrew letters that change form at word endings (though kof's final form is rarely used in modern Hebrew), it demonstrates the script's sophisticated development.
In Torah scrolls and sacred texts, kof must be written with precise calligraphic requirements. The letter consists of a curved body with a descending tail, and scribal law dictates exact proportions. Any deviation can render a Torah scroll invalid for ritual use. This meticulous attention to letter forms preserves not just text but sacred tradition itself.
The distinction between kof and kaf represents one of phonetics' most interesting features: emphasis or pharyngealization. While European languages largely lost these distinctions, Semitic languages preserve them as meaning-bearing sounds. In Arabic, confusing kaf and qaf can change word meanings entirely. Though modern Hebrew has largely merged these sounds, the orthographic distinction remains crucial.
Total base points: 10 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 2
KOF packs 10 base points into just 3 letters, making it one of the most point-dense short words available. The K (5 points) provides the main value, while F (4 points) adds solid support. This combination makes KOF ideal for tight spaces where longer words won't fit.
Memorize Hebrew letters accepted in your game: ALEF, BETH, GIMEL, DALETH, HE, VAV, ZAYIN, HETH, TETH, YODH, KAPH, LAMEDH, MEM, NUN, SAMEKH, AYIN, PE, TSADE, QOPH, RESH, SHIN, TAV. These provide excellent options for difficult letter combinations.
💡 Pro Tip:
KOF shines in endgame situations. When boards are crowded and you're holding a K, this 3-letter word can fit where longer K-words cannot. The alternative spellings provide backup options—if KOF is challenged, try KOPH or QOPH depending on your tiles and dictionary.
Hebrew letters like kof carry profound cultural weight beyond their linguistic function. For Jewish communities worldwide, these letters connect to thousands of years of textual tradition, from ancient prayers to modern Israeli street signs. The preservation of Hebrew script through diaspora and revival represents one of history's most remarkable linguistic achievements.
The inclusion of Hebrew letters in English dictionaries and word games reflects broader cultural exchange. As English evolved into a global language, it absorbed vocabulary from hundreds of languages. Hebrew letters entered English through biblical scholarship, Jewish cultural influence, and the establishment of modern Israel. This linguistic borrowing enriches English while preserving elements of Hebrew culture in unexpected contexts—like Scrabble boards.
Confusing KOF with KOPH
While both spellings are valid, they're different dictionary entries. Don't assume playing one blocks the other. Check your game's dictionary to see which variants are accepted.
Missing Q-Word Opportunities
If you have Q-O-P-H, you can play QOPH instead of struggling with QU combinations. Many players don't realize QOPH is valid without U.
Forgetting Other Hebrew Letters
If you know KOF, learn other Hebrew letters. ALEF, BETH, GIMEL, PE, and others provide excellent options for difficult tiles.
Pronunciation Confusion
KOF is pronounced like "cough" without the 'ugh' sound, not "koff." While this doesn't affect gameplay, knowing correct pronunciation helps remember the word.
Explore other short words with K and F
KOPH
13 points
KAPH
13 points
FOLK
11 points
KOP
9 points
KOB
9 points
KOI
7 points
KOR
7 points
ALEF
7 points
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like KOF