How to Pronounce dhāl

Meaning and Context

The dhāl (ذ) is the ninth letter of the Arabic alphabet, classified as an interdental fricative consonant. Its distinctive sound, a voiced "th" as in the English words "this" or "that," is fundamental to the phonetic structure of Arabic and is a key feature distinguishing it from its voiceless counterpart, the thāʾ (ث). Mastering the pronunciation of dhāl is essential for accurate Quranic recitation and proper spoken Arabic, as it appears in high-frequency vocabulary such as "dhakar" (male), "hādhā" (this), and "dhahab" (gold). The letter's unique shape, with its characteristic single dot above, is a critical element in Arabic calligraphy and script recognition. Understanding the dhāl is therefore a cornerstone for students of Arabic grammar, linguistics, and Islamic studies, impacting everything from basic literacy to advanced philological research.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term "dhāl" is subject to several transliterations into the Latin alphabet, leading to variant spellings. The most common academic and library-standard transliteration is "dhāl," using "dh" to represent the voiced th sound. However, it is also frequently spelled as "dhal," omitting the diacritical mark over the 'h,' which can lead to mispronunciation as a simple 'd.' In some older systems or regional contexts, one may encounter "zal" or "ðal," the latter employing the International Phonetic Alphabet symbol (ð). Common typos and errors include confusing it with "dal" (د), which has a 'd' sound, or misspelling it as "thal," which incorrectly associates it with the voiceless thāʾ. When searching for information online, using the Arabic character itself (ذ) or the transliterations "dhāl" and "dhal" will yield the most relevant results for language learning resources and phonetic guides.

Example Sentences

The student carefully practiced the articulation of the dhāl to avoid confusing it with the harder 'd' sound of the dal.

In the word "ذَهَبَ" (dhahaba, meaning "he went"), the initial dhāl requires the tongue to be placed between the teeth.

Many Arabic dialects have undergone a phonetic shift where the classical dhāl is pronounced as a 'z' sound.

The calligrapher paid special attention to the elegant curve and single dot that distinguish the letter dhāl in the Naskh script.

Correct usage of the dhāl is crucial for understanding the difference between "ذَهَب" (gold) and "دَب" (bear).

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