Zarqa & Segol זַרְקָא סֶגוֹל
Learn zarqa and segol, two te'amim that always appear in the first half of a sentence.
Ready to go?
Set yourself up for success
- Set aside at least 30 minutes. We're all busy, but shorter sessions generally limit retention.
- Find a quiet place. Even after many years, I still need a quiet spot to practice. The great thing is you can be inside or outside.
- Be in the right frame of mind. Reading requires focus. If you're tired or distracted or angry, you will struggle. Take a few minutes to recenter yourself before you start.
Get everything you need
- Print out your reading if you can. It's helpful to be able to take notes when you're learning. (Bring a pencil, too!)
- Use headphones if possible — they help you hear the melody clearly.
- Wear a kippah — it's customary.
Repetition is key to learning trop!
This is zarqa
Zarqa looks like a backward letter S on its side, or a tilde that's used for the Spanish letter ñ. Zarqa will always appear in the first half of a sentence, before the etnaḥta.
Often paired with
Our old friend munaḥ often (but not always) appears before zarqa. Sometimes merekha will appear before zarqa as well.
This is segol
Segol takes the form of three dots in the shape of a triangle above the word. Segol also happens to be the name of the vowel with the same shape (though inverted) that appears under the word. Segol will always appear in the first half of a sentence, before the etnaḥta.
Often paired with
Our old friend munaḥ often (but not always) appears before segol. Unlike zarqa, merekha will never precede segol.
Important
Where zarqa and segol are positioned
Merekha with zarqa (but not segol)
Zarqa
Practice zarqa by itself, without munaḥ.
Accent on later syllable
When the accent falls on a later syllable, the melody builds through the lead-in syllables.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Accent on first syllable
When the accent falls on the first syllable, compress the melody into that syllable.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Munaḥ Zarqa
Practice the munaḥ-zarqa pattern. Our old friend munaḥ often appears before zarqa.
Accent on later syllable
When both words have multiple syllables, the melody flows naturally through each word.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Accent on first syllable
When one or both words are single-syllable, compress the melody for those words.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Segol
Practice segol by itself, without munaḥ.
Accent on later syllable
When the accent falls on a later syllable, the melody builds through the lead-in syllables.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Accent on first syllable
When the accent falls on the first syllable, compress the melody into that syllable.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Munaḥ Segol
Practice the munaḥ-segol pattern. Unlike zarqa, segol is never preceded by merekha.
Accent on later syllable
When both words have multiple syllables, the melody flows naturally through each word.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Accent on first syllable
When one or both words are single-syllable, compress the melody for those words.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Zarqa and Segol Together
Practice phrases where zarqa leads to segol. Both appear in the first half of a sentence, with or without munaḥ.
Accent on later syllable
When words have multiple syllables, the melody flows through zarqa and builds to segol.
Learn the melody
Practice with words
Accent on first syllable
When one or both words are single-syllable, compress the melody for those words.