Understand and recognise shadda (doubled consonant)
F1Lesson 6 of 12◇ Core language
Shadda, Nunation (Tanwin), Madda and Hamza
الشدّة والتنوين والمدّة والهمزة
Arabic Script & Sounds · Script and sound foundations
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Learning Objectives
Focus on these outcomes rather than trying to memorise everything at once.
Recognise the three forms of nunation (tanwin): tanwin fatha, damma, kasra
Identify madda (ā sound on alif) and the various positions of hamza
Revision plan
- 8 minWarm-upVowel review chant
- 15 minStep 1Shadda — the doubling mark
- 12 minStep 2Tanwin — the n-sound endings
- 12 minStep 3Madda and Hamza positions
- 10 minPlenaryDiacritic detective
Exam connection: This unit builds the script foundation for all subsequent units and all four exam papers. Paper 1 Listening and Paper 2 Reading both require you to process Modern Standard Arabic in script form.
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Vocabulary
Tap each card to reveal the meaning, category and example.
Three-step recall
- Say the Arabic aloud.
- Cover the meaning and recall it.
- Use six items in your own spoken or written sentences.
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Quizzes
Use the two short checks. Errors show you what to revise next.
Quiz 1 — Meaning check
0 / 61. What does حَقّ mean?
2. What does تَنْوين الكَسْر mean?
3. What does تَنْوين الضَّمّ mean?
4. What does هَمْزَة mean?
5. What does مَرَّ mean?
6. What does تَنْوين mean?
Quiz 2 — Match Arabic and English
العربية
English
Matched: 0 / 6
Stretch challenge
Choose three matched items and combine them into one accurate sentence or short exchange.
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Grammar
Read the rule, notice the pattern and then produce your own examples.
Core rule / strategy
Shadda doubles the consonant sound. Tanwin adds an "-n" sound to the end of indefinite nouns (ً ٍ ٌ). Madda (آ) = long aa on alif. Hamza can sit on alif (أ إ), waw (ؤ), ya without dots (ئ), or alone (ء) — position depends on surrounding vowels.
Notice the pattern
- شَدَّة
- تَنْوين
- تَنْوين الفَتْح
- تَنْوين الضَّمّ
Accuracy checklist
- Check the subject and verb or noun/adjective agreement.
- Check gender, number and tense or time frame.
- Use the lesson structure in a complete, meaningful sentence.
- Read the sentence aloud and correct anything that sounds incomplete.
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Check a model pattern after you try
Compare your sentences with these lesson patterns. Check the same agreement, tense or word order.
- تَنْوين الفَتْح
Now correct one of your own sentences if needed.
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Skills Practice
Practise listening, reading, speaking and writing with the same lesson language.
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Listening
Listen for distractors. Listen twice: first for the overall meaning, then for evidence.
🎧 Recorded audio coming soon — use the device voice for listening practice now. Keep the transcript hidden for your first two listens.
اِقرَأْ بِصَوتٍ واضِح: شَدَّة، تَنْوين، تَنْوين الفَتْح، تَنْوين الضَّمّ، تَنْوين الكَسْر، مَدَّة، هَمْزَة، الله، مُحَمَّد، كِتابٌ. لاحِظِ الشَّكلَ والصَّوتَ واتِّجاهَ الكِتابة.
- What is the main topic or situation?
- Write one word you heard clearly and one similar word you must not confuse with it.
- Replay once and confirm the correct detail.
Check your listening
A successful answer identifies the main topic, at least three accurate words and one relevant detail. Replay once, then reveal the transcript only if you still need support.
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Reading
Underline known words before answering.
حَقّ، سَبَّ، مَرّ، جَدّ. بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ.
- What is the main idea or situation?
- Choose one phrase and explain what it means in this context.
- Find one example that shows the lesson language or grammar in use.
- What extra detail could you add to make the text more complete?
Reading support
Start with names, numbers, repeated words, connectors and familiar verb patterns. You do not need to translate every word.
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Speaking
Build your answer, then ask a follow-up question.
- Read five lesson items aloud, then demonstrate the sound or script pattern in two examples.
- Use at least three useful items from this lesson and one complete sentence with the target grammar.
- Add one reason, detail or example instead of giving only a short answer.
Useful frame:في رَأيي.. لِأَنَّ.. أَيضاً.. وَمِن جِهَةٍ أُخرى..
Working alone? Record yourself for 30–60 seconds, listen back once, and improve one pronunciation, grammar or fluency point.
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Writing
Plan, write, check and improve.
Task: Create a short practice line using the lesson letters or sound pattern. Keep it accurate rather than long. Target: 40–60 words.
Need help? Build your answer in small steps
- Opening: one clear sentence that answers the task.
- Detail: add two relevant pieces of information.
- Extend: add a reason, opinion, time phrase or example.
- Check: compare agreement, spelling and tense with the lesson rule.
Patterns from this lesson you can adapt:
- حَقّ، سَبَّ، مَرّ، جَدّ
Try first without opening this support. Adapt the patterns; do not copy them as a complete answer.
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Activities
Complete the activities in order, or choose the one that addresses your weakest area.
Independent revision: if an activity mentions a partner, cards, a picture or classroom equipment, use paper/notes on your device and complete both sides yourself. For speaking, record your answer and listen back once.
Warm-up8 min
Vowel review chant
Whole class: chant the short vowels with hand signals (fatha — hand flat, damma — fist up, kasra — hand pointing down, sukun — flat palm pressed down). Do 3 rounds, increasing speed. Then Study the word الشَّمْس — how many diacritics can you spot? Say what you can see. Introduce today's topic: there are more diacritics to learn.
Step 115 min
Shadda — the doubling mark
Write مَدّ and مَد on paper. Say both — You hear the difference (single d vs double d). Explain: shadda (ّ) means say the consonant TWICE. Model: مُحَمَّد — the م is doubled. You practise reading 6 words with shadda from the word cards (e.g. حَقّ، سَبَّ، مَرّ، جَدّ). Pairs read to each other. If you already speak some Arabic at home: find shadda in بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ — how many can they find?
Step 212 min
Tanwin — the n-sound endings
Explain tanwin: indefinite nouns in Arabic end with an "n" sound shown by doubled diacritics. Look at: كِتَابٌ (a book, nominative), كِتَاباً (accusative), كِتَابٍ (genitive). Say each aloud — You repeat. At this stage you do NOT need to know the grammatical cases — you just need to recognise the symbols and produce the "n" sound. Write each tanwin form 3 times and say the word aloud as they write.
Step 312 min
Madda and Hamza positions
Madda: آ = alif with a wavy line above = long "aa" sound (like in آسيا — Asia). You practise writing آ 5 times. Then hamza: Look at the 4 seats (أ إ ؤ ئ ء) on paper. Explain the rule simply: hamza sits on its strongest neighbouring vowel. For now, you just need to recognise all 4 forms and know you represent the glottal stop sound. Read together: أكل، إسلام، سؤال، بئر. You repeat after a partner.
Plenary10 min
Diacritic detective
Study 3 short sentences with all diacritics visible. Read sentence 1 silently, then a volunteer reads aloud — class gives thumbs up/down for each word. Repeat for sentences 2 and 3 with different volunteers. Count how many diacritics we have now learned as a class (fatha, damma, kasra, sukun, shadda, 3 tanwins, madda = 9 types). Celebrate the achievement.
Useful to have
Things you can make or find to help you revise this lesson:
- Diacritic reference sheet (shadda, tanwin, madda, hamza positions)
- Word cards with shadda/tanwin highlighted
- Short audio clips of words with shadda (recorded voice)
Stretch challenge
If you already speak some Arabic at home: using a Quranic text they know, identify and label one example each of: shadda, tanwin, madda and hamza. Write the word and circle/label the diacritic.
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Plenary
Finish with a quick check and one clear next step.
Key takeaways
- Understand and recognise shadda (doubled consonant)
- Recognise the three forms of nunation (tanwin): tanwin fatha, damma, kasra
- Identify madda (ā sound on alif) and the various positions of hamza
- Grammar focus: Shadda doubles the consonant sound. Tanwin adds an "-n" sound to the end of indefinite nouns (ً ٍ ٌ). Madda (آ) = long aa on alif. Hamza can sit on alif (أ إ), waw (ؤ), ya without dots (ئ), or alone (ء) — position depends on surrounding vowels.
Final check
partner observation during pair reading. Plenary sentence reading (formative). Volunteer reading accuracy.
Optional follow-up
Write 5 words of your choice from your exercise book, add all the diacritics you know correctly (use a dictionary with vowels if needed). Circle any shadda, tanwin or madda you find.
Confidence check
How secure do you feel after this lesson?
Remember: quick revision works best when you revisit weak vocabulary and correct errors, not when you try to complete everything in one sitting.