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5.2: Letter H'aa-الحرف حاء

  • Page ID
    269518
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    Learning Objectives

    In this section, you will be able to:

    • Read and write ح in its different shapes.
    • Pronounce the letter ح with short and long vowels.

    Introduction

    The letter H'aa (ح) is the sixth letter of the Arabic alphabet, and it holds a unique place in the phonetic structure of the language. Pronounced with a deep, throaty sound, it is distinct from the more common "h" sound found in English. H'aa is produced from the middle of the throat, giving it a guttural quality that is characteristic of many Arabic sounds.

    Understanding and accurately pronouncing the letter H'aa is crucial for learners of Arabic. Its unique sound, which does not have a direct equivalent in English, is fundamental to Arabic phonology. Mastery of H'aa enhances both spoken and written communication, ensuring clarity and correctness.

    By learning the letter H'aa, students gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty of Arabic. This letter, with its rich, guttural sound, is a testament to the linguistic diversity and expressive power of the Arabic language.

    The Letter H'aa ح

    The letter H'aa ح represents a sound that is pronounced in the middle of the throat. It has no equivalent in English.

    The Technical Way for Pronouncing the letter ح. Open your mouth, make a raspy (rough) “h” sound. Then, tighten the muscles so that air can just barely squeeze through your throat. You should be able to feel your Adam’s apple move. Another hint to help you articulate the letter ح Is to think of the throat squeezing against itself from the middle and try to pronounce it from that point of pressure. There is plenty of air that runs with this letter. You should feel the friction in the middle of your throat. A final method to find the articulation point of the letter ح is to try to cough, place your hand on your throat and feel your throat. That point is the articulation of the letter ح.

    Cross section of the head to show the articulation of the letter حاء
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Cross section of the head to show the articulation of the letter ح

    Pronunciation of letter H'aa "ح" with short vowels الحركات and absence of short vowels السكون.

    Pronunciation of Letter H'aa with Short Vowels and Sukoon
    The Marks (Harakat الحركات) The Letter with the mark Audio

    Fataha

    الفتحة

    حَ

    Dhama

    الضمة

    حُ

    Kasra

    الكسرة

    حِ

    Absence of short vowel

    Sukoon

    السكون

    حْ

    Pronunciation of the letter H'aa "ح" with long vowels.

    Pronunciation of Letter Jeem with Long Vowels
    The Long Vowel المدود The Letter with a long vowel Audio

    The long vowel "ا"=aa

    حا

    The long vowel "و"= oo/uu

    حو

    The long vowel "ي"=ee/ii حي

    How to write the letter H'aa

    The letter H'aa ح is a connecting letter, and is written like the letter ج but without the dot. (Watch the video)

    The letter ح in four shapes
    Final Medial Initial Isolated
    ــح ــحـ حـ

    ح

    Watch the video to learn how to write the letter H'aa

    Watch the video to learn more about the letter H'aa الحرف حاء. The letter changes shape depending on their position in a word.

    Practice Letter H'aa الحرف حاء

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    5.2: Letter H'aa-الحرف حاء is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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