Qāf
قَاف
Shapes in a word
ق
alone
قـ
start
ـقـ
middle
ـق
end
A deep, heavy “k” from the very back of the mouth — not “k” and not “gh”.
In the Quran
Voiced · الجَهْرStrong (stopped) · الشِّدَّةElevated (heavy) · الاسْتِعْلَاءOpen · الانْفِتَاحRestrained · الإِصْمَاتEcho (bounce) · القَلْقَلَة
5
Deepest part of the tongue with the soft palate
The very back of the tongue presses against the soft palate near the uvula.
Press the deepest part of the tongue against the soft palate near the uvula, then release.
More words with ق
قَWith fatha
قِWith kasra
قُWith damma
قْWith sukun
Characteristics (ṣifāt)
| Voiced | الجَهْر | The breath is held back and the voice carries the letter. |
| Strong (stopped) | الشِّدَّة | The sound stops completely at the makhraj, then releases. |
| Elevated (heavy) | الاسْتِعْلَاء | The back of the tongue rises to the palate, filling the mouth with a heavy sound. |
| Open | الانْفِتَاح | The tongue stays apart from the palate. |
| Restrained | الإِصْمَات | Made further in, so it takes more care to say. |
| Echo (bounce) | القَلْقَلَة | With sukun, the letter bounces with a little echo. |