Tanween in Arabic grammar refers to the addition of an extra “noon” sound at the end of a word, indicated by diacritical marks. It marks the indefinite accusative case. There are three types: Tanween Fateh, Dhamma, and Kasrah. Examples include “قلمًا” (qlman), “طالبٌ” (talbun), and “كتابٍ” (ktabin).

In Tajweed, it affects vowel pronunciation and length but should not be overemphasized. Understanding Tanween is crucial for accurate Quranic recitation and is taught in online courses.

The word in the Arabic language is divided into three types: a noun, a verb, and a letter, and each of these types has signs by which it is known. Among the signs of the name is “al-Tanween”. So let us know the meaning of Tanween and its types.

What Is Tanween?

Tanween is the extra Noon at the end of the essential noun, verbally and not in writing. The noun is pronounced but not written, rather it is referred to, by doubling the vowel at the end of the noun that is required to be Tanween.

In the Arabic language, “tanween” refers to a grammatical term that signifies the indefinite accusative case. Tanween is represented by the diacritical marks (vowelization) placed above the final letter of a word to indicate an indefinite noun or adjective or the accusative case of a verb.

We have three forms of Tanween: Tanween Fateh, Tanween Dhamma, and Tanween Kasrah. It is one of the diacritical movements used in the Arabic language.

Read: THE RULES OF NOON SAAKIN AND TANWEEN IN TAJWEED

Types of Tanween In The Arabic Language:

Tanween in the Arabic language is important because it aids in identifying the various cases and grammatical purposes of nouns in a sentence. without Tanween. it would be hard to understand whether a noun is the subject, object, or predicate of a sentence.

Tanween Symbol

Tanween symbol according to the letter movement

• Tanween Fateh: ـــــ ً (It is a double fatha that represents the short vowel “an.” The Tanween Fateh is placed above the final letter of a word to indicate the indefinite accusative case.
• Tanween Dhamma: ـــــٌ: Tanween Ḍammah is a double ḍammah that represents the short vowel “un.” Tanween Dhamma is placed above the final letter of a word to indicate the indefinite accusative case.
• Tanween Kasrah:  ــــٍ = Tanween Kasrah s a double kasrah that represents the short vowel “in.” Tanween Kasrah is placed above the final letter of a word to indicate the indefinite accusative case.

How Tanween Affects Arabic Pronunciation?

Tanween plays a major role in the pronunciation of Arabic, as it changes the sounds and the pronunciation of words. It consists of three diacritical marks: ً-fathatan, ٌ-dammatan, and ٍ-kasratan added at the end of nouns or adjectives. Here is how Tanween affects pronunciation:

• Vowel Sounds: Tanween provides a nasalization to the previous vowel. That is, with ً-fathatan for instance, there would be the sound of “a” followed by a slight nasal sound in pronouncing. This at times affects the differentiation of words which might be spelt similarly but their meanings are quite different.

“كتابٌ” (kitaabun) – herein, the “un” sound nasalizes.

• Word Stress: When the word takes Tanween at its end, then the pronunciation will fall slightly on the last syllable for more emphasis. For this reason, the little differentiation in weight may point to whether the word is indefinite or enters a certain grammatical construction.

• Clearer Differentiation: More differentiation can be seen in distinguishing between a ‘defined’ noun and an ‘undefined’ one. In Arabic, a defined noun does not have Tanween, but an undefined noun does. The difference it creates is mainly in pronunciation, particularly the way the last syllable sounds.

• Flow and Rhythm: Tanween, in poetry and formal recitation, contributes to the general flow and rhythm of the language. It helps in maintaining consistency and the melodic structure, especially in Quranic recitation and classical Arabic poetry.

• Tanween and the Articulation of Pronunciation: Tanween also plays a significant role in Quranic recitation when it comes to pronunciation rules known as Tajweed. This sometimes affects the articulation of the letters and consequently the flow of recitation with regards to merging or stopping at the end of certain verses.

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Arabic Words with Tanween

Here are some examples relevant to Tanween in the Arabic language:

1. Arabic Words with Tanween With Fathah

In Arabic	Transliteration
اشتريتُ قلمًا جديدًا	(ashtryto qlman jdydan)

Translation: “I bought a new pen.”

In the sentence “اشتريتُ قلمًا جديدًا”, the word “قلمًا” ends with two fateh. This is Tanween of fateh, and this Tanween is pronounced as a consonant noun before it with Fateh, and this is its drawing “ا”.

In Arabic	Transliteration
رأيتُ برجاً عالياً	(raayto porjan aalyan)

Translation: “I saw a high tower.”

Explanation: The word “برجاً ” (porjan) employs tanween with fathah to show that “tower” is an indefinite noun in the accusative case, following the verb “saw”

When mentioning the word with a fateh, an alif is added to the end of the word, and Tanween is placed on the letter preceding the alif, such as: “كتابًا- طالبًا.”

 2. Arabic Words with Tanween With Dammah

In Arabic	Transliteration
حضَرَ طالبٌ إلى المدرسة	(hdar talbun ‘iilaa almadrasati)

Translation: “A student came to school.”

In the sentence “حضَرَ طالبٌ إلى المدرسة”, the word “طالبٌ” ends with two dammah. This is Tanween of dammah, and this Tanween is pronounced as a consonant noun before it with dammah, and this is its drawing “a”.

In Arabic	Transliteration
كِتَابٌ جَمِيلٌ	(Kitaabun jameelun)

Translation: “A beautiful book.”

Here, “كِتَابٌ” (kitaabun) ends with Tanween (fathah), and it also indicates an indefinite noun. The nasal “un” sound helps in its proper pronunciation.

3. Arabic Words with Tanween with Kasrah

In Arabic	Transliteration
استعنتُ بكتابٍ مُفِيدٍ	(astent bktabin mufidin)

Translation: “I used a useful book.”

In the sentence “استعنتُ بكتابٍ مُفِيدٍ”, the word “مُفِيدٍ” ends with two kasrah. This is Tanween of kasrah, and this Tanween is pronounced as a consonant noun before it kasrah.

In Arabic	Transliteration
رأيتُ طائرًا جميلًا في حديقةٍ صغيرةٍ	(astent bktabin mufidin)

Translation: “I saw a beautiful bird in a small garden.”

In the sentence “رأيتُ طائرًا جميلًا في حديقةٍ صغيرةٍ” 

In this sentence the word “حديقةٍ” and “صغيرةٍ” ends with two kasrah. This is Tanween of kasrah, and this Tanween is pronounced as a consonant noun before it kasrah.

By using tanween, we can distinguish between definite and indefinite nouns or adjectives and identify the accusative case of verbs, which aids in understanding Arabic grammar and syntax.

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Tanween Rules In Tajweed Of The Quran:

In Tajweed, the study of the rules of Quranic recitation, tanween plays a crucial role. Tanween affects the pronunciation and length of the vowel sound associated with the letter it is placed on.

When reciting a word with tanween, the vowel sound associated with the tanween should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, but without lengthening it too much. The length of the vowel sound should be proportionate and in accordance with the rules of Tajweed.

For example, consider the word “kitabun” (كِتَابٌ), which means “a book.” The tanween here is represented by the double fatha on the letter “ba” (ب). When reciting this word, the “un” sound associated with the tanween should be pronounced clearly, but without overemphasizing its length.

There are specific rules and guidelines regarding the application of tanween in reciting the Quran.

 Regarding Tanween, there are three key rules to bear in mind: 

1. Only the final letter of a word can be with Tanween. Tanween is never found at the beginning or middle of a word.
2. Tanween is a Combining of the respective short vowel with the letter noon and sukon. Nevertheless, noon Saakin cannot be used in its place because a Tanween serves some grammatical functions.
3. An additional alif is always used when writing Tanween with fateh, 

But there are two situations that do not fall under the extra alif with Tanween fateh rule where the additional alif would not be written:

• If the word’s final letter is ta marboota (ـــة, ة)
• If the word’s final letter is hamza (ء) and the second last letter is alif, for example (ماءً، سماءً)

Common Mistakes With Tanween In Arabic Writing

Following are some of the common mistakes in Tanween usage that one generally makes while writing in Arabic:

Wrong Placement Of Tanween

The wrong placement of Tanween occurs when the diacritical mark is incorrectly positioned on a word, resulting in grammatical errors. Correct placement is essential for accurate meaning and proper pronunciation in Arabic writing.

• Mistake: Putting Tanween at an incorrect letter.

• Example: Writing “كِتابٌ” instead of “كِتابًا” (Kitāban).

Confusion Between Different Types Of Tanween

Confusion between different types of Tanween arises when Tanween Fathah, Dammah, and Kasrah are mixed up. Each type has a specific grammatical role and incorrect usage can lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretation in Arabic writing.

• Mistake: Confusing Tanween Fathah (ـً), Dammah (ـٌ), and Kasrah (ـٍ).

• Example: Using Tanween Dammah “قَلَمٌ” (Qalamun) while the correct form should be Tanween Fathah “قَلَمًا” (Qalamā).

Using Tanween With Al-Definite Article (الـ)

Using Tanween with the Al-Definite Article (الـ) is a common mistake, as definite nouns should not have Tanween. Applying Tanween to such words leads to grammatical errors and confusion in understanding the sentence.

• Mistake: Adding Tanween to a definite noun (which should not have Tanween).

• Example: Writing “الكِتابًا” (Al-Kitāban) instead of “الكِتاب” (Al-Kitāb).

Neglecting The Special Cases

Neglecting the special cases in Arabic involves ignoring specific grammatical rules that exempt certain words from taking Tanween. This oversight can lead to incorrect grammar, as some words, like proper nouns or feminine names, should not have Tanween applied to them.

• Mistake: Ignoring that certain words don’t take Tanween due to specific grammatical rules.

• Example: Using Tanween with proper nouns, feminine names, or adjectives with ال.

Bad Vowel Harmony

Bad vowel harmony occurs when the Tanween vowel does not match the preceding vowel sound, leading to pronunciation errors and grammatical mistakes. Ensuring proper vowel harmony is crucial for the fluidity and accuracy of Arabic writing.

• Mistake: Mismatching the Tanween vowel with the preceding vowel.

• Example: Writing “قلمٌ” (Qalamun) when “قلمٍ” (Qalamun) should be used.

This has to be carefully observed to ensure accurate and clear writing. 

By observing these common mistakes, you will have a better understanding of Tanween and also avoid committing these mistakes in Arabic writing.

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Conclusion:

Tanween in Arabic grammar refers to the addition of an extra “noon” sound at the end of a word, typically indicated by diacritical marks. It serves to mark the indefinite accusative case. There are three types of Tanween: Tanween Fateh, Tanween Dhamma, and Tanween Kasrah, each denoted by specific diacritical marks.

Examples of words with Tanween include “قلمًا” (qlman) with Tanween Fateh, “طالبٌ” (talbun) with Tanween Dhamma, and “كتابٍ” (ktabin) with Tanween Kasrah.

In Tajweed, Tanween affects vowel pronunciation and length but should not be overemphasized. Specific rules dictate its application in Quranic recitation, such as only appearing at the end of words and exceptions regarding the use of an additional alif with Tanween Fateh.

Understanding Tanween is essential for proper Arabic grammar comprehension and accurate Quranic recitation, and it’s taught in online courses with experienced tutors.

FAQs about Tanween In Arabic