Arabic Letters That Don’t Connect With Examples

Arabic is a beautiful and complex language with a rich history and a distinct writing system. One of the unique features of the Arabic script is that many of its letters are written in a connected, cursive style. 

This allows for fluidity and speed in handwriting, as well as a decorative and artistic effect in printed text. However, not all Arabic letters connect to the ones that follow them.

In this article, we will explore some of the Arabic letters that don’t connect and how they are used in the language.

Arabic Letters That Don’t Connect

Some Arabic letters do not connect to the letters that follow them. These letters are called “non-connecting” or “isolated” letters.

RELATED READINGS: Arabic Letters Connected Form Chart

Here are the six Arabic letters that don’t connect with the letter following them. Instead, they form a break in the middle of a word:

• alif ( أ )
• dal ( د )
• dhal ( ذ )
• raa ( ر )
• zay ( ز )
• waw ( و )

The non-connecting letters have a number of different sounds in Arabic. For example, the letter د (dāl) is used to represent the sound “d” in Arabic, such as in the word “دين” (dīn), which means “religion.” 

The letter ر (rā) is used to represent the sound “r” in Arabic, and it is often used at the beginning of words to represent this sound, such as in the word “رجل” (rajul), which means “man.”

1. Alif ا

This letter can indicate a long A vowel (aa) or to carry a short vowel (a, u, i). Letter ا doesn’t join to the next letter in a word. Examples of Arabic words with the letter ا:

Isolated	Initial	Medial	Final
ا	ا	ـا	ـا
اب	أسد	باب	عصا
father	Lion	door	stick

Daal د

This letter is used to represent the “d” sound in Arabic, as in English date. Letter د doesn’t join to the next letter in a word. Examples of Arabic words with the letter د:

Isolated	Initial	Medial	Final
د	د	ـد	ـد
	دب	صديق	برد
	bear	friend	cold

Dhaal ذ

This letter is used to represent the “th” sound in Arabic, as in English that. Letter ذ doesn’t join to the next letter in a word. Examples of Arabic words with the letter ذ:

Isolated	Initial	Medial	Final
ذ	ذ	ـذ	ـذ
	ذئب	لذيذ	أخذ
	wolf	delicious	he took

Raa ر

This letter is used to represent the “r” sound in Arabic, as in English rat. Letter ر doesn’t join to the next letter in a word. Examples of Arabic words with the letter ر:

Isolated	Initial	Medial	Final
ر	ر	ـر	ـر
	رمل	نظر	جزر
	sand	he saw	carrot

Zay ز

This letter is used to represent the “z” sound in Arabic, as in English zoo. Letter ز doesn’t join to the next letter in a word. Examples of Arabic words with the letter ز:

Isolated	Initial	Medial	Final
ز	ز	ـز	ـز
	زيت	جزر	فوز
	oil	carrot	victory

Waaw و

This letter is used to represent the “w” sound in Arabic. It can also indicate a long U vowel (uu) or pronunced as w in wedding. Letter و doesn’t join to the next letter in a word. Examples of Arabic words with the letter و:

Isolated	Initial	Medial	Final
و	و	ـو	ـو
	وزن	سوق
	weight	market

Conclusion

Overall, understanding the disjoint letters and how they are used is an important part of learning to read and write in Arabic. 

While these letters may seem intimidating at first, with practice and exposure, they will become second nature to you as you continue to learn and improve your skills in this beautiful and complex language.