One of the letters that a novice finds in learning Arabic from non-native speakers, is the difference between the letter س (sīn/seen) and the letter ص (ṣād/saad) in Arabic; That is why in this article we will try to help you easily tell the difference between them.
The common difference between the letter س (sīn/seen) and the letter ص (saad/ṣād) in Arabic:
- The letter ص is just the heavier, thicker version of the س.
- The letter ص is pronounced like [s] in sun, but make the [s] sound itself heavier.
- The letter س is pronounced just like the English [s] sound.
- When you pronounce the ص you position your lips differently like you’re about to pronounce [o], while to pronounce س it looks like you’re smiling.
- The place where the ص comes out is back in the throat.
- Remember that hard sounds in Arabic change the vowel after them, so the vowels themselves would be harder. That’s why the English word sun is pronounced close to the ص even though it’s a normal [s] sound.
How letter س (sīn/seen) is pronounced?
The Arabic letter س (seen) is pronounced s like in English. In the phonetic alphabet, the pronunciation of س (seen) is written [s].
More information about letter س (sīn/seen)
The letter س (seen) has four shapes: isolated, initial, medial, and final. Which of the shapes to use depends on the letter’s position in the word and surrounding letters. Do not forget that Arabic is written from right to left.
| Final | Medial | Initial | Isolated |
| ـس | ـسـ | سـ | س |
The letter س (seen) is dual joining. That means that it wants to connect to both right and left.
If there is a letter before, that also is dual joining, then letter س (seen) will connect with it. If there is a letter after, then letter س (seen) will connect with it.
How is the letter ( ص sad/ṣād ) pronounced?
There are two s letters in Arabic; a normal s and this emphatic s.
- When you pronounce this S, your tongue should touch your teeth to get a correct pronunciation of letter ص.
- The letter ( ص ṣād) is one of the letters that gives the Arabic language its character.
- The letter ( ص ṣād) pronounce like letter s in the word sun.
More information about letter ( ص sad/ṣād):
The letter ( ص Sad ) has four shapes: isolated, initial, medial, and final. Which of the shapes to use depends on the letter’s position in the word and surrounding letters. Do not forget that Arabic is written from right to left.
| Final | Medial | Initial | Isolated |
| ـص | ـصـ | صـ | ص |
It’s good for you if you pronounce the letters properly, therefore, if you want to sound like a native Arabic speaker and not like a beginner, you lave to pronounce these letters properly.
Pronunciation Examples:
