Are you ready to learn a new letter in the Arabic alphabet? The letter Jeem (ج) is the fifth letter and is a very common one. Don’t worry, its sound is very similar to a letter you already know in English! Let’s explore everything you need to know about the letter Jeem.
Pronunciation of the Letter Jeem (ج)
The pronunciation of the letter Jeem is a sound you are likely familiar with. It is pronounced exactly like the English letter “J” in words like “Jet,” “Jump,” or “Jacket.”
Note on Dialects: While the “J” sound is standard in most parts of the Arab world (like the Levant and the Gulf), some dialects have a different pronunciation. For example, in Egyptian Arabic, the Jeem is often pronounced as a hard “G” sound, as in “go.”
How to Write the Letter Jeem (ج)
The letter Jeem (ج) belongs to a special group of letters that share a similar body shape: Haa (ح) and Khaa (خ). The only thing that distinguishes them is the dot. Jeem is the one with a single dot underneath the body.
Writing the Letter: Here is how to write the letter Jeem (ج) in the correct way, step by step:
- Start by drawing a small, horizontal line from right to left, just above the main writing line.
- From the left end of that line, draw a large, curved line or a half-circle that dips below the main line.
- Finally, add a single dot directly underneath the horizontal line, inside the curved part.
Like most Arabic letters, the letter Jeem (ج) changes its shape depending on its position in a word. There are four main forms:
- Isolated Form: ج
- Initial Form: جـ
- The letter ج in four shapes (Medial Form): ـجـ
- The letter ج in four shapes (Final Form): ـج
Jeem with Vowels (Harakat)
The pronunciation of Jeem (ج) changes slightly depending on the short vowel (harakah) that is placed above or below it.
- With Fatha (ـَ): جَ (Ja) – sounds like the “ja” in jacket.
- جَمَل (jamal) – “Camel”
- With Damma (ـُ): جُ (Ju) – sounds like the “ju” in jump.
- جُمْلة (jumlah) – “Sentence”
- With Kasra (ـِ): جِ (Ji) – sounds like the “ji” in jiggle.
- جِسْر (jisr) – “Bridge”
- With Sukoon (ـْ): جْ (j) – A quiet “j” sound, like the “dge” in “bridge.”
- أَجْـر (Ajr) – “Reward” or “Fee”
- With Shaddah (ـّ): جّ (jj) – The sound is doubled and emphasized.
- حَجّ (Hajj) – “Pilgrimage”
More Examples of Words and Phrases with Jeem (ج)
Let’s look at more words and some simple phrases that contain the letter Jeem to help you practice.
- New – جديد (jadid)
- He sat – جَلَسَ (jalasa)
- Body – جسْم (jism)
- Striver – مُجَاهِد (Mujahid)
- Brave – شُجَاع (Shuja’)
- More beautiful – أَجْمَل (Ajmal)
- He left – خَرَجَ (Kharaja)
- Experience – تَجْرِبَة (Tajribah)
Simple Phrases:
- He sat on the chair – جلس على الكرسي (Jalasa ‘ala al-kursi.)
- This is a big body – هذا جسم كبير (Hadha jism kabir.)
- I need help – أنا أحتاج إلى المساعدة (Ana ahtaju ila al-musa’adah.)
- Very beautiful! – !جميل جداً (Jamil jiddan!)
Conclusion
Congratulations on learning the letter Jeem (ج)! Now you know its clear pronunciation, how to write it, and its different shapes. With a little practice, you’ll be able to read and write words with this important Arabic letter. Keep going! Your dedication to learning Arabic will open a new world of opportunities. For a fun and easy way to continue your learning, you can use the Kaleela app.