NON-CONNECTORS

Letters of the ‘daal’ group are Non-Connectors. Just like the ‘alif’, they do not join with the letters following them in a word. Let’s see an example of this in the word “daa” (दा):

Above: The word “daa”

Simply put, since the letter ‘daal’ is a non-connector, the ‘alif’ is simply written after writing the letter ‘daal’ to create the word “daa”. Here’s a break-down:

Above: ‘daal’ + ‘alif’ = “daa”

Let’s put an ‘alif’ before the ‘daal’ as well to create the word “adaa” (अदा), meaning “coquetry/gesture/execute”:

Above: ‘alif’ + ‘daal’ + ‘alif’ = “adaa”

And now, let’s place a ‘daal’ before the word to create the word “daadaa” (दादा), meaning “grandfather”:

Above: ‘daal’ + ‘alif’ + ‘daal’ + ‘alif’ = “daadaa”

For contrast, let’s look at the word “daanaa” (दाना), meaning “wise/learned”:

Above: ‘daal’ + ‘alif’ + ‘nuun’ + ‘alif’ = “daanaa”

7.2.1: Some more words

Go ahead. Learn a few more words before we move on to the next section.