ع ayn: the Arabic letter ayn
ayn (ع) is the 18th letter of the Arabic alphabet. It makes the sound ʿ: a squeeze from deep in the throat. It joins to the letters on both sides.
The shapes of ayn
Arabic letters change shape depending on where they sit in a word. Arabic is read right to left.
ayn with vowel marks
What are fatha, kasra and damma?
Words that start with ayn
Letters that look like ayn
These share a shape with ع and differ in their dots or a small detail. Children often mix them up, so it helps to learn them side by side.
Questions about ayn
How do you pronounce the Arabic letter ayn?
ayn (ع) is the 18th letter of the Arabic alphabet. Its name is said "ayn". It makes the sound ʿ: a squeeze from deep in the throat.
How do you write ayn in Arabic?
On its own ayn is written ع. It joins on both sides, so it has four shapes: on its own ع, at the start of a word ع, in the middle ع and at the end ع.
What is an Arabic word that starts with ayn?
عَيْن (ʿayn) means "eye" and starts with ayn. Others are عِنَب (ʿinab, grapes), عَشَرَة (ʿashara, ten).
How does ayn sound with vowel marks?
With a fatha it says ʿa (عَ), with a kasra ʿi (عِ) and with a damma ʿu (عُ).
Practise ayn with Hudhud
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