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ز

Zay

زَاي

z · "z" as in zebra

Sun letter

How it is written

زIsolated
زInitial
ـزMedial
ـزFinal

Arabic letters change shape depending on where they sit in a word.

How it sounds

z

The same in all four dialects.

For how pronunciation shifts by region, see the dialect guide

With the definite article

الـ + ز ← الز

When الـ comes before this letter, the ل blends into it and the letter is doubled. You will not hear the L at all.

Writing practice

Trace this letter in the unit that teaches it. Your score counts towards the writing course.

Practise writing