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.”
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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.
