After mastering long vowels (Madd), we now meet the Leen letters — the softest, most gentle sounds in Arabic. They glide effortlessly without stretching, creating the beautiful flow you hear in Quranic recitation.
Waw (و) or Ya (ي) that carries a Sukun (ْ) and is preceded by a letter with Fatha (َ).
The word leen (لِيْن) means soft, easy, gentle. These letters produce a light gliding sound — not as long as Madd, but not as short as a consonant.
after a letter with Fatha
after a letter with Fatha
The preceding letter carries a Fatha (َ) — regardless of the letter type. Duration: 1 count (no stretching).
The preceding letter carries its matching vowel (Damma→Waw, Kasra→Ya). Duration: 2 counts (must stretch).
Fatha + وْ = Leen |
Damma + وْ = Madd |
Fatha + يْ = Leen |
Kasra + يْ = Madd
The Leen letters appear constantly in everyday Arabic and Quranic vocabulary. Notice how the highlighted letters glide softly.
Leen letters appear throughout the Quran. Here are famous examples every Muslim already knows — now you can identify them by name.
Each word below contains either a Leen letter, a Madd letter, or neither. Study the word, then tap to see the answer and explanation.
Excellent! You now know the two Leen letters (و and ي with Sukun after Fatha) — the softest, most graceful sounds in the Arabic language!