The standalone form
ضOne dot above the broad loopMeet the letter
Ḍaad ضَاد
Ḍaad has the same basic shape as ṣaad, with one dot above. It joins on both sides. Its emphatic sound is different from daal.
In the Arabic word ضِفْدَع (“frog”), the first letter is ḍaad. Look for the dot above its broad shape.
One letter. Four shapes.
The standalone form is above. Read the three connected forms from right to left.
Beginning
Joins to the leftḌaad joins to faa on its left.
Middle
Joins on both sidesḌaad joins to yaa on the right and taa marbūṭah on the left.
End
Joins to the rightḌaad joins to yaa on its right at the end of bayḍ.
The name stays ḍaad in every shape. A connected form does not add a new sound. Gold highlights this letter in each example.
1Three short vowelsA little mark changes the sound.
The letter’s name is ḍaad. Follow the Arabic tiles from right to left.
2Stretch the vowelḌaad with alif, yaa and waaw.
Keep the same consonant and stretch the vowel. These are sound practice units.
3Ḍaad without a vowelSukūn · no following vowel.
The circle above ضْ means there is no vowel on this consonant. Here is a complete noun, read when stopping.
Listen to the whole word.
Finish with ḍ and no added vowel. Keep it distinct from the lighter d of daal.
4Two letters, one written shapeShaddah · three vowel sounds.
A shaddah joins two of the same consonant. The first has sukūn; the second has the vowel. Read each Arabic sequence from right to left.
Fatḥah · a
Kasrah · i
Ḍammah · u
5One word, three tanwīn endingsSee the ending in a real word.
Compare three full endings on the same noun. The doubled vowel mark adds an n sound when the ending is pronounced in full.
Where next?
Follow your curiosity.
When you feel ready
Choose your next adventure.
Find the Arabic Letter
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Listen, spot the vowel and build what you hear. Explore short and long vowels, sukūn, shaddah, tanwīn and simple words.
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