CONNECTORS

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

17.3.1: In the Initial position

Let’s look at the shortened form these letters assume in the initial position. For this, let’s look at how they connect with ‘alif’:

Above: Words “faa” and “qaa” formed by joining ‘fe’ and ‘qaaf’ in the initial position with ‘alif’ in the final position

To clarify, here’s what it means for ‘fe’:

Above: Comparative illustrating the short-form assumed by ‘fe’ in the initial position

And here’s what it means for ‘qaaf’:

Above: Comparative illustrating the short-form assumed by ‘qaaf’ in the initial position

And now, let’s see these rules in action in the word “faash” (फ़ाश), meaning “disclose”:

Above: ‘fe’ + ‘alif’ + ‘shiin’ = “faash”

Or, in the short-form notation:

Above: Short-form of ‘fe’ + ‘alif’ + ‘shiin’ = “faash”

Similarly, here’s the word “qaash” (क़ाश), meaning “slice/piece”:

Above: ‘qaaf’ + ‘alif’ + ‘shiin’ = “qaash”

Here’s another word - “faanuus” (फ़ानूस), meaning “chandelier”:

Above: ‘fe’ + ‘alif’ + ‘nuun’ + ‘vaao’ + ‘siin’ = “faanuus”

Here’s a simple word “fan” (फ़न), meaning “art/skill”:

Above: ‘fe’ + ‘nuun’ = “fan”

The example above illustrates how these letters join in their initial position with other consonants, in this case the letter ‘nuun’.

Similarly, here’s another simple word “qad” (क़द), meaning “height/stature”:

Above: ‘qaaf’ + ‘daal’ = “qad”

Let’s take this a step further and see how the word “qadGan” (क़दग़न), meaning “prohibition/restriction”, is written:

Above: ‘qaaf’ + ‘daal’ + ‘Gain’ + ‘nuun’ = “qadGan”

17.3.2: In the Medial position

To see the short-form these letters assume in the medial position, let’s look at the word “jafaa” (जफ़ा), meaning “injustice/tyranny”:

Above: ‘jiim’ + ‘fe’ + ‘alif’ = “jafaa”

Can you identify the ‘fe’ in there? Here’s an illustration showing its medial position short-form:

Above: Comparative illustrating the short-form assumed by ‘fe’ in the medial position

Therefore, the word “jafaa”, in the short-form notation:

Above: Short-form of ‘jiim’ + short-form of ‘fe’ + ‘alif’ = “jafaa”

Similarly, here’s the word “baqaa” (बक़ा), meaning “eternity”:

Above: ‘be’ + ‘qaaf’ + ‘alif’ = “baqaa”

17.3.3: In the Final position

In the final position, as is common with Urdu letters, ‘fe’ and ‘qaaf’ do not change shape. Here’s the name of the letter ‘qaaf’ (क़ाफ़) itself as an example:

Above: The word “qaaf”. Notice that the ‘fe’ does not change shape being in the final position.

Here, ‘fe’ being in the final position does not change shape. Here’s another example - ‘saaf’ (साफ़), meaning “clean/pure”:

Above: ‘suaad’ + ‘alif’ + ‘fe’ = “saaf”

Here’s another example, the word - “shaq” (शक़), meaning “crack”:

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘qaaf’ = “shaq”

Here, even though the ‘qaaf’ is connected with the ‘shiin’ preceding it, since the ‘qaaf’ itself is in the final position, it does not change shape and retains its full-form.

17.3.4: Some more words

Here are a few more words with the letters we’ve learnt so far.

This brings us to the end of the 'fe' group. See? It got a little simpler after the ‘ain’.