Sun and Moon Letters in Arabic
Pronunciation and Assimilation with the Arabic Definite Article
The Arabic language is known for its rich phonetic diversity and unique grammatical structures. Among these features are the concepts of الحروف الشمسية (sun letters) and الحروف القمرية (moon letters), which significantly impact the pronunciation of the definite article الـ (al-). This article focuses on the assimilation that occurs between the letter ل (laam) in the definite article and the sun letters, contrasting it with the moon letters where the ل retains its sound.
You are expected to master the pronunciation of sun and moon letters by the end of this article, with the aid of an exercise drill 🎧 we designed for you at the end of this article.
The Definite Article الـ in Arabic
In Arabic, the definite article الـ (al-) is used somehow similarly to "the" in English. It precedes a noun to indicate something specific. For instance, كتاب (kitaab) means "book," while الكتاب (al-kitaab) means "the book." However, the pronunciation of الـ can vary depending on whether the subsequent letter is a sun letter or a moon letter.
الحروف الشمسية (sun letters)
Sun letters are those that cause the ل (laam) in the definite article الـ to assimilate, or merge, into the initial sound of the noun, resulting in a doubling of that consonant. There are 14 sun letters in Arabic:
الحروف الشمسية:
ت (taa)
ث (thaa)
د (daal)
ذ (dhaal)
ر (ra)
ز (zaay)
س (siin)
ش (shiin)
ص (Saad)
ض (Daad)
ط (Taa)
ظ (DHa)
ل (laam)
ن (nuun)
When a noun begins with a sun letter, the ل in الـ is not pronounced. Instead, the sun letter itself is pronounced with a ـّ shadda (a diacritical mark indicating a doubled consonant). For example:
الشمس (al-shams) is pronounced "ash-shams".
الدرس (al-dars) is pronounced "ad-dars".
In these cases, the assimilation results in a smoother and more fluid pronunciation, as the ل sound merges seamlessly into the sun letter.
الحروف القمرية (moon letters)
In contrast to sun letters, moon letters do not cause assimilation. The ل (laam) in the definite article الـ is fully pronounced before the noun. There are also 14 moon letters:
الحروف القمرية:
أ (hamza)
ب (baa)
ج (jiim)
ح (Haa)
خ (khaa)
ع (‘ain)
غ (ghain)
ف (faa)
ق (Qaaf)
ك (kaaf)
م (miim)
هـ (haa)
و (waaw)
ي (yaa)
When a noun begins with a moon letter, the ل retains its sound, resulting in a clearer and more distinct articulation. For example:
القمر (al-qamar) is pronounced "al-Qamar".
الكتاب (al-kitab) is pronounced "al-kitaab".
Practical Implications
For learners of Arabic, understanding the distinction between sun and moon letters is crucial, not only for correct pronunciation, but also for effective communication. Mispronouncing the definite article can lead to misunderstandings, as the subtle differences in sound can change the meaning of a word.
Tips for Mastery
Memorize the Lists: In the beginning, familiarize yourself with the sun and moon letters until they become natural to you. Repetition and mnemonic devices can be helpful.
Practice with Audio: Listening to native speakers and repeating after them can improve your pronunciation. Pay attention to how the definite article is pronounced.
Read Aloud: Practice reading Arabic text out loud, focusing on the correct pronunciation of the definite article with both sun and moon letters.
Listen to this exercise drill 🎧, paying attention to the pronunciation of the definite article. Then repeat after the speaker. Most of the vocabulary used in this drill can be found, along with their meanings, in our free Arabic Essentials material, you can find it here.
الحروف القمرية Moon Letters
القَمَر
الكِتاب
الوَرَقة
الأُسْتاذ
المُوَظَّف
الجامِعة
البِناية
الكُرْسِـيّ
العائِلة
الغُرْفة
الحَديقة
اليَوْم
الفَصْل
الخَريف
الحروف الشمسية Sun Letters
الشَمْس
الدَفْتر
الصَفْحة
الطالِب
الرَجُل
الساعة
الذَكِيّ
الضَعيف
الزِيارة
التَعَلُّم
اللَعِب
الذَهاب
النار fire
الظَلام darkness
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