September 27, 2023 by somia arslan
The letter kha خ is the seventh letter of Arabic alphabets. Here you will learn how to pronounce kha خ and how to write kha خ . You will also learn the different shapes of letter kha خ with examples.
Equivalent of kha خ in English
The letter kha خ equivalent in English is combination of two letters “Kh” and has “kh” phonics.
It is unique in it self as it has one dot over it.
It has the same shape as of ha ح letter but difference is that kha خ has one dot over it and it ح has no dot in it. And also it is different from jim which also has one dot but position is change. The one dot of jim is inside the letter and one dot of kha is over the letter. This thing is more prominent in half shapes.
| Letter | Half Shape |
| ج | جـ |
| ح | حـ |
| خ | خـ |
As in Arabic letters dots n position of dot is very important as it can make big difference.
How to pronounce kha خ
How to write kha خ
Different shapes of kha خ
| final | middle | starting | isolated |
| ـخ | ـخـ | خـ | خ |
Examples of kha خ in isolated shape:
جَرَاخ (jaraakh) – Scraper
قِرَاخ (qiraakh) – Fragrance
Examples of kha خـ in starting shape:
خَيَال (khayaal) – Imagination
خَلْفِيَّة (khalfiyya) – Background
خَوْف (khawf) – Fear
Examples of jim ـخـ in middle shape:
نَخْلَة (nakhlah) – palm tree
رَخِيص (rakhees) – cheap
سُخْن (sukhn) – Hotness
Examples of jim ـخ in final shape:
مَسْخ (maskh) – Transformation
Articulation point of kha خ
Letter kha خ is pronounced from part of throat.
kha خ is a moon letter
The distinction of “sun letters” (حروف الشمس) and “moon letters” (حروف القمر) is fundamental in determining the pronunciation of the definite article “ال” (al) when it precedes certain consonants in Arabic.
When the definite article “ال” is added to a word starting with a sun letter, a seamless assimilation occurs. For example, “الشمس” (ash-shams) means “the sun,” with the “l” sound smoothly blending into the following “sh.”
When the definite article “ال” is applied to words starting with moon letters, the “l” sound remains distinct. For instance, “القمر” (al-qamar) signifies “the moon,” with the “l” sound clearly separate from the following “q.”
So kha “ خ” is a moon letter
The letter “ خ” (kha) in Arabic is indeed a moon letter. When the definite article “ال” (al) is prefixed to a word beginning with “ خ,” assimilation occurs, and the “l” sound of “al” combines with the “kh” sound of “ خ.”
Here are some examples:
- الخُبْزُ (al-khubz): The bread.
- الخَيْرُ (al-khayr): The good.
- الخَلَقُ (al-khalaq): The creation.
- الخَامِسُ (al-khamis): The fifth.
Characteristics of letter kha خ
The traits of the letters set them apart from other letters that have the same articulation point.
The proper use of the letter characteristics clarifies the letters and explains the different timings of the saakin letters, which is a crucial concept.
It is evident from examining the qualities which letters have strong and weak makeup. This indicates that examining the qualities of the letters and how they are used is a crucial component.
Letters can be categorized according to what sets them apart:
- Contrasting Characteristics in Letters (الصِفَاتُ المُتَضادَة): These letters have different qualities.
- Letters with Distinctive Qualities: These lack diametrically opposed elements.
Characteristics of Arabic Letters with Contrasting Attributes (الصِفَاتُ المُتَضادَة)
Arabic letter kha خ has following Contrasting Attributes :
| LETTERS | 1. Al Hams – الْهَمْسُ / al Jahr – الجَهْرُ | 2. Ash-shidda – الشِّدَّةُ/al baynya – البَينية/ ar Rakhawa – الرَّخَاوَةُ | 3. Al-istiala – الاِسْتِعَلاءُ / al-istifal – الاسْتِفَالُ | 4. Al-itbaq (الإِطْبَاق) /. Al infitah (الإِنْفِتَاح) | 5. Al-idhlaq (الإِذْلاقُ) /. Al ismat (الإِصْمَات) |
| kha خ | al Jahr – الجَهْرُ | al baynya – البَينية | Al-istiala – الاِسْتِعَلاءُ | Al infitah (الإِنْفِتَاح) | Al ismat (الإِصْمَات |
Characteristics of Arabic Letters with Distinctive Attributes (الصِفَات غَيْر المُتَضادَة)
Arabic letter kha خ has following Distinctive Attributes :
| 1. As-Safeer (الصَفِير) | 2. Al-Qalqala (القَلْقَلَة) | 3. Al-leen – اللِّيْن | 4. Al inhiraf – الإِنْحِراف | 5. At-takreer – التَّكْرِير | 6. At tafashee – التَّفَشِي | 7. Al istitala – الإِسْتِطَالَة | 8. Al gunna – غُنّه |
| ———— | ———— | ———— | ———— | ———— | ———— | ———— | ———— |
Complete letters: