6.4: Letter Zay
- Page ID
- 269736
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- Read and write ز in its different shapes.
- Pronounce the letter ز with short and long vowels.
Introduction
The letter "ز" (zay) is a prominent character in the Arabic alphabet, occupying the eleventh position in the script. Pronounced as a voiced alveolar fricative, similar to the "z" in the English word "zebra," "zay" adds a sharp and distinct sound to the Arabic language. Its form is simple and elegant, featuring a single vertical stroke with a dot above it, making it easy to distinguish from other letters.
"Zay" is frequently encountered in Arabic, appearing in many common words and names. Examples include "زيت" (zayt, meaning "oil") and "زمان" (zamaan, meaning "time" or "era"). For learners of Arabic, mastering the pronunciation and recognition of "zay" is crucial for proper reading, writing, and speaking. The letter "zay" also exemplifies the beauty of Arabic calligraphy with its clean and balanced design, often incorporated into intricate artistic patterns.
The Letter Zay ز
This letter corresponds to the English sound “z” as in the word “zebra”. The articulation place of the letter “ز” is the tongue and the top edge of the two frontal lower incisors. There is a little space left in between the tip of the tongue and the plates of the teeth when pronouncing this letter. In other words, the tip of the tongue just misses the edge of the top and lower teeth. When this letter is emitted, a light whistle-like sound should be heard accompanying the sound, which is called in Arabic “Safeer, صفير”. The most common mistake when pronouncing this letter is pressing the tongue up against the plates of the teeth causing the sound to be suppressed when attempting to say the letter.

Pronunciation of letter Zay "ز" with short vowels الحركات and absence of short vowels السكون.
The Marks (Harakat الحركات) | The Letter with the mark | Audio |
---|---|---|
Fataha الفتحة |
زَ |
|
Dhama الضمة |
ُز |
|
Kasra الكسرة |
زِ |
|
Absence of short vowel Sukoon السكون |
زْ |
|
Pronunciation of the letter Zay "ز" with long vowels.
The Long Vowel المدود | The Letter with a long vowel | Audio |
---|---|---|
The long vowel "ا"=aa |
زا |
|
The long vowel "و"= oo/uu |
زو |
|
The long vowel "ي"=ee/ii | زي |
|
How to write the Letter ز
You write the letter "ز" in the same way you write the letter "ر." The only difference is the letter "ز" has a dot above it. (Watch the video)
Final Form | Medial Form | Initial Form | Independent Form |
---|---|---|---|
ز / ـز | ـز | ز | ز |
Watch the video to learn how to write the letter Zay.
Watch the video to learn more about the letter Zay الحرف زاي. The letter changes shape depending on their position in a word.