Ḍād
ضَاد
Shapes in a word
ض
alone
ضـ
start
ـضـ
middle
ـض
end
A heavy sound unique to Arabic, made with the side of the tongue. It is not “d” and not “z”.
In the Quran
Voiced · الجَهْرSoft (flowing) · الرَّخَاوَةElevated (heavy) · الاسْتِعْلَاءClosed (covered) · الإِطْبَاقRestrained · الإِصْمَاتElongation · الاسْتِطَالَة
8
Side edge of the tongue with the upper molars
One side (or both sides) of the tongue presses along the upper back teeth. The unique letter of Arabic.
Press one side (or both sides) of the tongue along the upper back teeth; let the sound stretch along the edge.
More words with ض
ضَWith fatha
ضِWith kasra
ضُWith damma
ضْWith sukun
Characteristics (ṣifāt)
| Voiced | الجَهْر | The breath is held back and the voice carries the letter. |
| Soft (flowing) | الرَّخَاوَة | The sound flows on while the letter is held. |
| Elevated (heavy) | الاسْتِعْلَاء | The back of the tongue rises to the palate, filling the mouth with a heavy sound. |
| Closed (covered) | الإِطْبَاق | The middle of the tongue presses up against the palate like a lid — the heaviest letters. |
| Restrained | الإِصْمَات | Made further in, so it takes more care to say. |
| Elongation | الاسْتِطَالَة | The sound of ض stretches along the edge of the tongue. |