Ḍaad ضَاد
A heavy 'd' made with the side of the tongue. The special letter of Arabic.
Its shapes
Trace it with your finger
👄 Where the sound comes from
The tongue · ض
Most letters are made by the tongue touching or nearing the roof of the mouth or the teeth.
Ḍaad is one of the seven heavy letters: the back of the tongue rises and the mouth is full, whatever the vowel.
⚖️ Don't mix it up with
- د
Daal · light
A soft 'd' as in dog. Never joins the next letter. - ز
Zaay · light
Like 'z' in zoo. One dot above.
Say Ḍaad and the other letter one after the other, slowly, and feel the difference. A teacher can check you.