Tanween

Quick Facts

Level: Essential
Category: Noon and Tanween
When it occurs: Recognise the double vowel sign at a word ending. In connected reading, inspect the next pronounced letter; stopping changes the ending.
Letters involved: Context-dependent

Understand the rule

Tanween is an added n sound represented by fatḥatayn, dammatayn, or kasratayn: the double vowel signs. It is not a lengthened vowel. It is studied in the same family as Noon Sakinah because the same principles of clear reading, merging, concealment, and change can apply when the sound is followed by a specific letter. The key is to identify the sound pattern and then recognize the following letter to determine which rule applies.

When does it occur?

Recognise the double vowel sign at a word ending. In connected reading, inspect the next pronounced letter; stopping changes the ending.

Which letters are involved?

This topic is determined by context rather than a fixed letter set.

How is it pronounced?

The learner should hear the tanween sound as an ending pattern and then analyze the next letter with a qualified demonstration.

Listening guidance Written explanations support recognition. Use an approved recitation and teacher feedback for sound, timing, and articulation.

Examples

The examples below are clearly labelled teaching examples and are not from the Quran. Use them to notice the rule, then confirm your recitation with a qualified teacher.

Draft teaching examples - not Quran quotations:

كِتَابٌ بَدِيعٌ kitābun badīʿun (a fine book) — Not from the Quran

Common Mistakes

Ignoring the double vowel sign and treating the ending as if it were a simple single vowel.
Assuming tanween is unrelated to the Noon Sakinah family.

Connect this lesson

Izhar

Izhar is the clear pronunciation of Noon Sakinah or Tanween before one of the six throat letters: ء ه ع ح غ خ.

Open lesson: Izhar

Idgham

Idgham is the merging of Noon Sakinah or Tanween into the next word when it begins with one of the six letters in يَرْمَلُونَ. Recognised exceptions are taught separately.

Open lesson: Idgham

Ikhfa

Ikhfa is the partial concealment of Noon Sakinah or Tanween with a nasal sound when the following letter is one of the fifteen letters that are neither Izhar nor Idgham nor Iqlab letters.

Open lesson: Ikhfa

Remember

Tanween behaves like a Noon Sakinah in the rule family: identify the ending pattern and the following letter.

Practice

Try to identify the trigger first, say the sound slowly, then listen and repeat. Short, accurate practice is more useful than rushing through many examples.

How is Tanween related to Noon Sakinah?
Why does the following letter matter in Tanween cases?

Check your understanding

Question 1 of 2

1/2

understanding

Which definition does this lesson give for Tanween?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tanween always receive the same treatment?

No. The exact case depends on the following letter and the selected teaching tradition.

Sources and review notes

Tajweed Rules Reference

What still needs review?

This is standard learning content but needs review before being called final because exact terminology may vary across methodologies.

A reference records the source used for study; it does not mean the source author approved this lesson.

Important Note

Tajweed is best learned through both understanding and listening. Written explanations can help you understand the rules, but correct pronunciation, timing, and articulation are best learned by listening to a qualified reciter or teacher and practicing along with them.

For the best results, combine reading, listening, repetition, and guidance from a qualified Tajweed teacher.