6.2: Letter Thaal
- Page ID
- 269734
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)In this section, you will be able to:
- Read and write ذ in its different shapes.
- Pronounce the letter ذ with short and long vowels.
Introduction
The letter "ذ" (dhal) is a distinctive and essential character in the Arabic alphabet, occupying the ninth position in the script. Pronounced as a voiced dental fricative, similar to the "th" in the English words "this" or "that," "dhal" adds a unique phonetic element to the Arabic language. Its shape is simple yet elegant, consisting of a single vertical stroke with a dot above it, making it easily distinguishable from other letters.
"Thaal" is relatively uncommon compared to some other Arabic letters, but it plays a crucial role in the language. It appears in various words and names, contributing to the rich phonetic diversity of Arabic. Examples include "ذهب" (dhahab, meaning "gold") and "ذلك" (dhalika, meaning "that"). For learners of Arabic, mastering the pronunciation and recognition of "dhal" is essential for accurate reading and speaking. Its distinctive sound and appearance help to enrich the Arabic script, showcasing the language's complexity and beauty.
The Letter Thaal ذ
The letter ذ represents the other sound of “th” like the sound of “the” in the word “other”. The articulation place of the letter ذ is the bottom tip of the tongue and the top edge of the two front lower incisors, and the top tip of the tongue and the bottom edges of the two front upper incisors.
A small space is left between the tip of the tongue and the plates of the teeth when pronouncing the letter ذ. The letter ذ is many times mispronounced as a plain “z”. The solution to mispronunciation is again using the top of the tip of the tongue and the bottom edges of the two front teeth (incisors). There should be enough protrusion of the tongue tip so that it is visible to the observer.

Pronunciation of letter Thaal "ذ" with short vowels الحركات and absence of short vowels السكون.
The Marks (Harakat الحركات) | The Letter with the mark | Audio |
---|---|---|
Fataha الفتحة |
َذ |
|
Dhama الضمة |
ذُ |
|
Kasra الكسرة |
ذِ |
|
Absence of short vowel Sukoon السكون |
ذْ |
|
Pronunciation of the letter Thaal "ذ" with long vowels.
The Long Vowel المدود | The Letter with a long vowel | Audio |
---|---|---|
The long vowel "ا"=aa |
ذا |
|
The long vowel "و"= oo/uu |
ذو |
|
The long vowel "ي"=ee/ii | ذي |
|
How to write the letter ذ
To write the letter ذ it is the same way you write the letter د, but a dot is placed above the letter. (Watch the video)
Final | Medial | Initial | Isolated |
---|---|---|---|
ــذ | ــذ | ذ | ذ |
Watch the video to learn how to write the letter Thaal
Watch the video to learn more about the letter Thaal الحرف ذال. The letter changes shape depending on their position in a word.