Ghunnah meaning in tajweed, with examples
Ghunnah is the nasal humming sound you hear on noon and meem. It comes from the nose, not the mouth, and in several tajweed rules it is held for about two counts. Here is what ghunnah means, where it appears and how to check you are saying it correctly.
Last updated: 1 October 2026
What ghunnah is
Ghunnah is a sound that comes from the khayshum, the nasal passage, one of the five areas of makharij al huruf. It belongs to only two letters: ن and م.
Noon and meem with shaddah
The clearest ghunnah is on a noon or meem with shaddah, held for about two counts: إِنَّ, ثُمَّ, ٱلنَّاسِ and عَمَّ (78:1).
Where else ghunnah appears
- Idgham with ghunnah: noon sakinah or tanween merging into ي ن م و.
- Iqlab: noon sakinah or tanween before ب becomes a hidden meem with ghunnah.
- Ikhfa: noon sakinah or tanween hidden before 15 letters, with ghunnah.
- Meem sakinah rules: ikhfa shafawi (before ب) and idgham shafawi (before م).
These are explained in full in noon sakinah and tanween rules and meem sakinah.
The nose test
Gently pinch your nose and say إِنَّ. If the sound cuts off, your ghunnah is coming from the right place. If it carries on, the sound is coming from your mouth.
Ghunnah is one part of our tajweed rules guide, alongside madd. To have a teacher check it, join our tajweed course or see our online tajweed classes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ghunnah meaning in tajweed?
Ghunnah is a nasal sound that comes from the nasal passage (khayshum). It belongs to the letters noon and meem and is held for about two counts in certain rules.
Which letters have ghunnah?
Only noon and meem. It is strongest when they have a shaddah, as in إِنَّ and ثُمَّ.
How do I know if I am doing ghunnah correctly?
Gently pinch your nose while saying نّ. If the sound stops, the ghunnah is coming from the right place.
How long is ghunnah held?
About two counts on a noon or meem with shaddah, and in idgham with ghunnah, iqlab and ikhfa.
Hear it from a teacher
Three free one-to-one lessons in UK time, with every ghunnah checked as you read.