The letters that don't connect

(This is lesson 3 of the alphabet)

Arabic script (and as a result, so is Pashto, since it's derived from the Arabic script) is generally flowing and connected.  When letters are at the end of a word, they look like what you see in the alphabet.  However, many letters change their appearance when they're in the middle or beginning of a word.

For example, if you form the word 'system' (phonetically), you'd use the letters  س س ټ م  (remember to read from right to left)

Putting them together results in  سسټم

As you can see, there are no breaks in the middle of the word.  However, there are certain letters which do not connect to the next letter (on the left).

Those letters are: ا د ډ ر ړ ز ذ ږ ژ و

So if you were to write the word horse (aas), it would be آس.  Notice the letters aren't connected

Another example is the word food (doday): ډوډۍ.  Notice that since the first 3 letters are in the non-connecting group, they aren't connected with the next letter (on their left).

Here's a final example: مراسم (murasem), which means customs.