Ready for another step in your Arabic letters journey? Today we meet ش (Shīn), the thirteenth letter in the Arabic alphabet and the close cousin of س (Sīn), but with its own distinct twist in both sound and shape.
In this post, you’ll learn how to pronounce, write, and recognize the letter ش across different word positions. We’ll also highlight how it differs from similar letters, and explore practical examples to build your confidence.
How to Pronounce the Letter ش (Shīn)
If you can say the “sh” sound in she, shine, or shoes, then you’re already halfway there. The Arabic ش matches that same sound.
Here’s how to get it right:
- Round your lips slightly.
- Place the tongue just behind the alveolar ridge (where the gums meet the upper teeth).
- Let the air flow out smoothly without engaging your vocal cords.
Unlike its sibling س (s) which sounds like “s”, ش has a softer and more rounded sound—almost like a whisper. Think of it as a calm breeze rather than a hiss.
How to Write the Letter ش (Shīn)
Visually, ش is nearly identical to س—but with three dots placed above. These dots are the key difference that learners must remember.
It’s a connecting letter, which means it changes shape depending on its place in the word:
- Initial (Start): شـ
- Medial (Middle): ـشـ
- Final (End): ـش
- Isolated: ش
The base shape stays similar to س, but always carry those three dots on top.
Words with the letter ش
Letter ش (Shīn) in Initial Position
Tea
Shāy
شَاي
I like drinking tea in the morning.
Uḥibb shurba al-shāy fī al-Ṣabāḥ
أُحِبُّ شُربَ الشَّاي في الصَّباحِ.
Policeman
Shurṭī
شُرطِيّ
The policeman helped the old man carry his heavy bag.
Sāʻada alshurṭy al-ʻAjūz ʻalá ḥaml ḥqybth al-thaqīlah
ساعَدَ الشُّرطِيُّ العَجوزَ على حَملِ حَقيبَتِهِ الثَّقيلَةِ.
Candle
Shubbāk
شَمعَة
The candle lit up the room with a dim light.
Aḍāʼati alshamʻatu alghurfata binwrin khāfit
أَضاءَتِ الشَّمعَةُ الغُرفَةَ بِنورٍ خافِتٍ.
Tree
Shajarah
شَجَرة
There is a beautiful bird on the tree.
Yūjadu Ṭāʼirun Jamīl fawqa alshajarah
يوجَدُ طائِرٌ جَميلٌ فَوقَ الشَّجَرةِ.
Company
Sharika
شَرِكة
My father works in a big company.
Yaʻmalu Wālidī fī sharikatin kabīrah
يعملُ والدي في شَرِكةٍ كَبيرةٍ.
Letter ش (Shīn) in the Middle Position
Wood
Khashab
خَشَب
The table is made of wood.
Ṣuniʻat al-ṭāwilatu mina al-khashab
صُنِعَتِ الطّاوِلةُ مِنَ الخَشَبِ.
Grass
ʻUshb
عُشْب
We sat on the green grass in the park
Jalasnā ʻalá alʻushbi al-Akhḍari fī l-Ḥadīqah.
جَلَسنا على العُشبِ الأخضِرِ في الحَديقةِ.
Saw
Minshār
مِنشار
The carpenter used a saw to cut the wood.
Istakhdam al-Najjār minshāran liqaṭʻ al-khashab
اِستخدَمَ النَّجَّارُ مِنشارًا لِقَطعِ الخَشبِ.
Project
Mashrūʻ
مَشْرُوع
My brother started a new project at work.
Badaʼa Akhī mashrūʻan jadydan fī al-ʻamal.
بَدَأَ أخي مَشرُوعًا جَديدًا في العَملِ.
Walking
Mashy
مَشْي
Walking in the morning is good for your health.
al-Mashyu fī al-Ṣabāḥi Mufīdun lil-Ṣiḥḥah.
المَشيُ في الصَّباحِ مُفيدٌ لِلصِّحةِ.
Letter ش (Shīn) in the Final Position
Nest
ʻUsh
عُشّ
The bird's nest is on top of the tree.
ʻUshu alṭṭāʼiri mawjūdun aʻlá alshshajara.
عُشُّ الطَّائِرِ مَوجُودٌ أَعلَى الشَّجَرَةِ.
Shark
Qirsh
قِرْش
The sailors caught a big shark.
Iṣṭāda albaḥḥārwn qirshān kabyran
اِصطَادَ البَحَّارونَ قِرشًا كَبيرًا.
Bat
Khaffāsh
خفّاش
The bat lives in caves and dark places.
Yaʻīshu alkhaffāshu fī al-kuhūf wa-al-amākin al-muẓlimah.
يَعيشُ الخَفّاشُ في الكُهوفِ والأماكِن المُظلِمَةِ.
Bed
Firāsh
فِرَاش
The child went to bed after playing all day.
Dhahaba al-ṭiflu ilá alfirāsh baʻda an Laʻib Ṭuwwāla al-yawm
ذَهبَ الطِّفلُ إلى الفِراشِ بَعدَ أن لَعِبَ طُوالَ اليومِ.
Army
Jaysh
جَيْش
The army achieved a great victory in the battle.
Ḥaqqaqa aljayshu naṣran kabyran fī al-maʻrakah
حَقّقَ الجَيشُ نَصرًا كَبيرًا في المَعركةِ.
Quick Quiz
Which of the following words starts with the Arabic letter 'ش' (Shīn)?
A. شَجَرة
B. قَلَم
C. كِتاب
D. مِفتاح
What is the English translation of 'شَمس'؟
A. Moon
B. Sun
C. Star
D. Cloud
Which word contains the Arabic letter 'ش' (Shīn) in the middle?
A. مِشط
B. شَقّة
C. شَجرة
D. عُشّ
Which word does NOT have the Arabic letter 'ش' (Shīn) at the end?
A. فِرَاش
B. عُشّ
C. خُبز
D. قَشّ
1. A. شجرة
2. B. Sun
3. D. مِشط
4. C. خبز
Final word
You’ve just met ش, a letter we see in many beautiful Arabic words. As you move through your Arabic learning journey, you’ll find this letter in so many useful words in your everyday life and conversations.
If you want more practice, explore more exercises in the AlifBee App, where each Arabic letter comes with games, quizzes, and pronunciation tips. (And make sure to read the rest of the articles in the Arabic Alphabet Series)
And as a great way to stay focused and consistent, don’t forget to grab your free 30-day study plan from AlifBee.
Keep going! You’re doing an amazing job.
See you in the next Arabic letter!
