Nikud is a system of diacritical marks used in the Hebrew language to indicate vowel sounds. It helps clarify pronunciation and meaning, especially in texts where the vowels are not written out, such as in most modern Hebrew. Nikud is particularly useful for learners and in religious texts, poetry, and children's literature. The system consists of various symbols placed above, below, or inside the consonants. Each symbol represents a specific vowel sound, allowing readers to accurately pronounce words. While nikud is not commonly used in everyday writing, it remains an essential tool for understanding Hebrew fully.