Letter 11 of 29
Zay
Transliterated “z”
ز
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
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.
Common mistakes
- Devoicing it into س
- Losing the whistle
In the Quran
- 99:1زُلْزِلَتِZay twice in one word