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Activity 4: Definite article with Sun and moon letters
A note on Grammar: In Arabic, there are two types of letters that can follow the definite article: sun letters and moon letters.
Sun letters: We use our tongue and palette to double the sound of the [sun] letter that follows the definite article. In this case, we do not pronounce the ل in the definite article ال. It is called a liaison. Example: النّور. Remember that the doubling is sounds in Arabic is denoted by the shadda ( ّ).
Which letters are sun letters?
ت ث د ذ ر زس ش ص ض ط ظ ل ن
Moon letters: We use our [lips] or throat instead to pronounce the ل fully in the definite article ال. These are called moon letters. Example: الخير.
Which letters are moon letters?
ا ب ج ح خ ع غ ف ق ك م ه و ي
Listen to the following words before proceeding to the quiz.
Why are they called sun and moon letters?
The reason they are called sun letters is because in the word الشمس, which means the sun, ش is a sun letter and makes the ل silent, doubling the ش sound. However, in the word القمر, which means the moon, ق is a moon letter and does not make the ل silent. Whereas the word “the sun” in Arabic doubles the letter that combined with the definite article ال, the word “the moon” in Arabic does not.
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