The Arabic letter خ (kẖāʾ, also commonly transliterated as kha) is the seventh letter of the Arabic alphabet. It is pronounced as a voiceless velar/uvular fricative, a sound absent in standard English yet common in Arabic, German, Scottish, and various other languages.

How to Write the Letter خ

Significantly, the letter خ changes its shape depending on its position in a word.

Stroke Order

1. Draw a curved shape similar to the letter ح (ḥāʾ).
2. Add one dot above the letter.

Tip:
The only difference between ح and خ is the dot.

• ح = no dot
• خ = one dot above

How to Pronounce خ

The letter خ is pronounced from the back of the throat, with air passing through a narrow opening.

It sounds similar to:

• the “ch” in the Scottish word Loch
• the “ch” in the German word Bach
• the Spanish “j” in many dialects (such as José)

There is no exact English equivalent.

Pronunciation Tips

• Raise the back of your tongue toward the soft palate.
• Let air pass continuously without stopping it.
• Do not vibrate your vocal cords.
• Produce a rough, raspy sound.

Comparison with Similar Letters

Examples of Words with خ

Common Mistakes

• Pronouncing خ like the English k.
• Pronouncing it as a simple h.
• Replacing it with ح, which is a different Arabic letter.
• Making the sound too harsh by tightening the throat excessively.

Practice Words

Repeat these words slowly:

• خُبْز (khubz)
• خَيْر (khayr)
• خَالِد (Khālid)
• أَخ (akh)
• شَيْخ (shaykh)

Focus on producing a steady stream of air from the back of your throat.

Writing Practice

Practice writing the four forms several times:

• خ
• خـ
• ـخـ
• ـخ

Then copy these words:

• خُبْز
• خَيْر
• خَرُوف
• أَخ
• مَطْبَخ

Summary

• Name: خ (Kẖāʾ / Khāʾ)
• Position in the alphabet: 7th letter
• Sound: kh, like the ch in Loch or Bach
• English equivalent: None (closest is Scottish/German ch)
• Writing: Same basic shape as ح, with one dot above
• Connection: Connects to both the preceding and following letters in most positions.

Regular practice will make the letter خ much easier to recognize, write, and pronounce accurately, serving as a crucial step toward reading and speaking Modern Standard Arabic confidently.