Darga (Hebrew: דַּרְגָּא) is a cantillation mark commonly found in the Torah, Haftarah, and other books. The symbol for the darga resembles a backwards Z.[1]
The darga is usually followed by a Tevir.[2] It is most often found in places where a Tevir clause has two words which are closely related.[3] The Hebrew word Hebrew: rtl=yes|דַּרְגָּא translates into English as step. With the Hebrew word tevir meaning "broken," the combination of darga tevir means "broken step."
Darga can also be followed by a Munach Rivia,[4] and can (rarely) be followed by a Mercha Kefula, an altogether rare trope.[5]
| Book | Number of appearances | |
|---|---|---|
| Torah | 1091[6] | |
| Genesis | 253 | |
| Exodus | 221 | |
| Leviticus | 171 | |
| Numbers | 237 | |
| Deuteronomy | 209 | |
| Nevi'im | 710[7] | |
| Ketuvim | 637 |
The Ashkenazic darga is recited in a fast, downward slope, as follows:
The Sefardic darga is ascending, and the Moroccan darga is descending with a waver in the middle.[8]