The letters ‘siin’ and ‘shiin’ are connectors and follow the same principles of joining as the other connectors we’ve come across.

12.2.1: In the Initial position

Let’s look at the shortened form that these letters assume in the initial position and for this, let’s take the word “saa” (सा) as an example and see how it’s written.

Above: How the word “saa” is written. Notice how the ‘siin’ connects with the ‘alif’

Letters of the 'siin' group, being connectors, change shape when joining with other letters and take upon the following short-form:

Above: Comparative showing ‘siin’ in its full and short forms

Therefore, here’s a break-down showing how the word “saa” from the example above is written:

Above: ‘siin’ + ‘alif’ = “saa”

Or, essentially:

Above: short-form of ‘siin’ + ‘alif’ = “saa”

Here’s an animated view of the words “saa” (सा) and “shaa” (शा):

Above: Animation showing how the words “saa” and “shaa” are written

Okay. So that was 'siin' group letters with ‘alif’. Here are two very commonly used words - “sab” (सब) and “shab” (शब), meaning "night":

Above: The words “sab” and “shab”. Notice the slight change in the short-forms of ‘siin’ and ‘shiin’.

We can easily make out that there is a slight difference in the short-form of ‘siin’ here as it joins with the ‘be’ here. To clarify:

Above: Comparative illustrating a slightly changed short-form of ‘siin’ when connecting with letters of the 'be' group

Following that, here’s a break-down showing how the word “shab” is formed:

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘be’ = “shab”

Or, looking at the short-form of ‘shiin’:

Above: Short-form of ‘shiin’ + ‘be’ = “shab”

Here’s ‘siin’ with the ‘chhoTii ye’ in the simple word “sii” (सी):

Above:  ‘siin’ +‘chhoTii ye’ = “sii”

And here’s ‘siin’ with the ‘ba.Dii ye’ in the word “se” (से):

Above:  ‘siin’ +‘ba.Dii ye’= “se”

Let’s look at some more examples before we move on to the next section. Here’s the word “saat” (सात):

Above: ‘siin’ + ‘alif’ + ‘te’ = “saat”

Here’s another one - “sher” (शेर):

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘ba.Dii ye’ + ‘re’ = “sher”

One more - “sharaarat” (शरारत):

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘ba.Dii ye’ + ‘alif’ + ‘re’ + ‘te’ = “sharaarat”

12.2.2: In the Medial position

In the medial position, the short-form of the seen group letters changes slightly. This can be seen in the word “bashar” (बशर) below:

Above: How the word “bashar” is written. Notice the slight change in the short-form of ‘shiin’.

Here’s a comparison illustrating the short-form in the medial position:

Above: Comparative showing ‘shiin’ in its full and short forms in the medial positon

And, here’s a break-down of the word “bashar”:

Above: ‘be’ + ‘shiin’ + ‘re’ = “bashar”

Which essentially is:

Above: ‘be’ +  short-form of ‘shiin’ + ‘re’ = “bashar”

Similarly, here’s the word “jast” (जस्त):

Above: ‘jiim’ + ‘siin’ + ‘te’ = “jast”

INTERESTING

Here in the word “jast” you can see the slightly changed variant of the ‘siin’ short-form we saw in the above in the earlier section. And here again, it uses this variant when connecting with ‘te’ - a letter from the 'be' group.

Moving on, here’s another word - “hasrat” (हसरत):

Above: ‘he’ + ‘siin’ + ‘re’ + ‘te’ = “hasrat”

12.2.3: In the Final position

In the final position, as is common with Urdu letters, ‘siin’ and ‘shiin’ do not change shape. Here’s the word “aas” (आस) as example:

Above: How the word “aas” is written. Notice that ‘siin’ does not change shape in the final position.

Taking it a step further, here’s the word “raas” (रास):

Above: ‘re’ + ‘alif’ + ‘siin’ = “raas”

Here’s a slightly more “connected” word in contrast - “pesh” (पेश):

Above: ‘pe’ + ‘ba.Dii ye’ + ‘shiin’ = “pesh”

And another one - “baarish” (बारिश):

Above: ‘be’ + ‘alif’ + ‘re’ + ‘shiin’ = “baarish”

12.2.4: Some more words

Here are a few more words for you to learn. Have fun!

Great. Let’s move on to another special symbol in the Urdu script called “tashdiid”.