ز
Shapes
Its four forms
An Arabic letter changes shape depending on where it sits in a word. All four are the same letter.
- Isolated
- ز
- Initial
- زـ
- Medial
- ـز
- Final
- ـز
Pronunciation
How it is produced
Where it comes from
Tip of the tongue near the lower front teeth
A whistling, voiced sound. Same place as س but voiced.
More on this articulation point →Qualities
- Rakhawah
- Jahr
- Safir
Joining: Does not join to the letter that follows — one of the six non-joiners.
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Devoicing it into س
- Losing the whistle
Examples
In the Quran
- 99:1زُلْزِلَتِZay twice in one word
Start at the first letter
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Questions about the letters
How is Zay pronounced?
Tip of the tongue near the lower front teeth. A whistling, voiced sound. Same place as س but voiced.
Does Zay join to the letter after it?
No. Zay never joins to the letter that follows, which is why some words appear to break apart mid-way.
What mistakes do learners make with Zay?
Devoicing it into س and Losing the whistle. A page cannot hear which of these a student is making, which is what the tutor is for.
Do you teach the Arabic alphabet in lessons?
Yes, one to one with a tutor matched to the age and level of the student. The free trial is a real lesson and ends with a written assessment, with no payment details asked for.
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