When learning Arabic, one of the most unique and sometimes challenging sounds to pronounce for non-
native speakers is the "h" sound. In this blog post, we'll dive into the proper
pronunciation of the Arabic "h" and how it differs from the English "h."
The Two Forms of the Arabic "h" Sound
Unlike English, which only has a single "h" sound, Arabic has two distinct "h" sounds. They are the
ه "ha" and
ح "ha'a". Each sound is represented by a separate letter in the
Arabic alphabet. Understanding the difference between these two sounds is crucial to properly pronouncing
Arabic words.
Pronouncing the ه "ha" Sound
The ه "ha" sound is the closest to the
English "h" sound. To pronounce this sound, gently let the air out of your mouth while producing a soft, unvoiced "h" sound. Be sure not to make the sound too harsh or strong; it should be softer than the English "h."
Pronouncing the ح "ha'a" Sound
The ح "ha'a" sound is unique to Arabic and doesn't have a precise equivalent in English. Pronouncing this sound can be a bit more challenging. To produce the ح "ha'a" sound, get your vocal cords ready to make a sound, and then constrict your throat slightly, allowing the air to pass through. This will create a higher-pitched, raspier "h" sound than the ه "ha."
Practice Makes Perfect
To improve your pronunciation of the
Arabic "h" sound, it's crucial to practice. Record yourself saying words containing the ه "ha" and ح "ha'a" sounds, so you can compare your pronunciation with native speakers. This will help you fine-tune your pronunciation and build confidence in your
Arabic speaking skills.