Lesson 5: Dammah (ضمة)

Learn the short vowel Dammah (ُ). It sits on top of a letter and produces a quick 'u' sound with rounded lips. Read it in exactly 1 count without any stretching.

Target Learning Goals

🎯Recognizing the Dammah symbol on top of letters

🎯Rounding the lips to pronounce Dammah correctly in exactly 1 count

🎯Reading 3-letter connected words containing Fathah, Kasrah, and Dammah vowels

Rules for this lesson

• Dammah (ضمة):A small loop/hook on top of a letter. Read quickly (1 count) with completely rounded lips and a smooth voice, without stretching or jerking.

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Articulation: Lip Rounding & Madd Warning

Pronounce Dammah (ُ) by **completely rounding your lips** (like a whistle). Keep it strictly **1 count**—prolonging it even slightly will turn it into a Wāw Madd (e.g. بُ [Bu] becomes بُو [Boo]). Pronounce it smoothly without jerking.

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Tajweed: Thick Rā & Heavy Letters

When the letter Rā carries a Dammah (رُ), it must be pronounced with a **thick, heavy tone** (Tafkhīm). The 7 heavy letters (خ, ص, ض, ط, ظ, غ, ق) must remain deep and thick while rounding the lips.

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Pedagogy: Vocal & Jaw Agility

Practice two transitions: **Successive Dammahs** (e.g. رُسُلُ, كُتُبُ) require holding lip rounding steadily. **Mixed Harakāt** (e.g. خُلِقَ, ضُرِبَ) practice moving from rounded lips to dropped jaw to open mouth.

Alphabet Vowel Grid (الحروف)

🎯 Step 1: Pronouncing Individual Letters

Spell & Pull Apart (الكلمات)

🎯 Word Practice & Deconstruction

Select a joined word below, then slide the bar to see the letters morph apart! Pronounce each letter by its spelling name.