1. Urdu Script: Core Letters

Recognize ر, ڑ, ز, ژ, and و by shape and letter name: re, Re, ze, zhe, and wao. Compare their dot and small-mark differences in Nastaliq.

Recognize ب, پ, ت, ٹ, and ث by shape and letter name: be, pe, te, Te, and se. Distinguish them by dot number, dot position, and the retroflex mark.

Recognize ج, چ, ح, and خ by shape and letter name: jeem, che, bari he, and khe. Compare the shared body shape and the dots above or below.

Recognize س and ش by shape and letter name: seen and sheen. Distinguish the plain three-tooth shape from the dotted form.

Recognize ص, ض, ط, and ظ by shape and letter name: suad, zuad, toe, and zoe. Compare the paired shapes and their dot differences.

Recognize ع and غ by shape and letter name: ain and ghain. Choose the correct letter by noticing the dot above غ.

Recognize ف and ق by shape and letter name: fe and qaaf. Compare their related bowl shapes and dot patterns in Nastaliq.

Recognize ک, گ, and ل by shape and letter name: kaaf, gaaf, and laam. Distinguish the extra mark in گ and the tall shape of ل.

Recognize م and ن by shape and letter name: meem and noon. Compare their common Nastaliq forms and the dot that marks ن.

Recognize ہ and ھ by shape and letter name: gol he and do-chashmi he. Distinguish the regular h letter from the two-eyed form used in aspirated consonants.

Recognize ی and ے by shape and letter name: chhoti ye and bari ye. Choose the correct ye form by noticing the dots and final word shape.

Review this chapter with practice based on your mistakes.