The two diphthongs in Dari are represented in writing by the letters ی and و, both of which may have the orthographic sign fatha / zabar, which is usually omitted.
|
Name |
Sound |
Final |
Medial |
Initial |
|
ay |
ay, as in "pie" |
یَ پیَ |
نَیل یَ |
اَیالت اَی |
|
au |
au, as in "now" |
وَ جَو |
ثَور وَ |
اَو اَوج |
The long vowels ii and oo are historically derived from the diphthongs ay and au, respectively, and occasionally you can hear long vowels replaced with the diphthong pronunciation. Thus, for instance, you may hear "ii" pronounced "ay":
"hope" omiid - omayd امید = ا + ﻣ + ﻴ + ﺪ
"clear" rooshan - raushan روشن = ر + و + ﺷ + ﻦ
"sun" khorshiid - khorshayd خورشید = ﺧ + ﻮ + ر + ﺷ + ﯿ + ﺪ
"oil" rooghan - raughan روغن = ر + و + ﻏ + ﻦ
See Also: