In Persian writing system, only consonants have a dedicated letter. Vowels and diphthongs are indicated with other means. Persian diphthongs are combinations of the vowels “î” and “û” with other vowels. Therefore, Diphthong marking follows vowel marking patterns. Overall, the diacritics “zîr” ⟨ ــِـ ⟩, “zebar” ⟨ ـَـ ⟩, “pîš” ⟨ ـُـ ⟩, “sâken” ⟨ ـْـ ⟩, the consonant ⟨ و ⟩ and the pairs ⟨ آی ⟩, ⟨ او ⟩, ⟨ اوی ⟩, ⟨ ای ⟩, ⟨ ـِـ ی ⟩, ⟨ وی ⟩ are used to mark diphthongs.

Diphthong “ây”

The diphthong “ây” is comprised of the vowels “â” and “î”. It is marked with ⟨ آی ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ ای ⟩ in all other positions. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (“sâken”) ⟨ ــْـ ⟩ can be placed over ⟨ ی ⟩.

WordPronunciationMeaning
آینه / آیْنهâynemirror
زایمان / زایْمانzâymânchildbirth
چای / چایْčâytea

Diphthong “ey”

The diphthong “ey” is comprised of the vowels “e” and “î”. It is partially denoted with ⟨ ای ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ ی ⟩ in all other positions. To denote “ey” clearly, the diacritic زیر (“zîr”) can be placed below the preceding consonant. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (“sâken”) can be placed over ⟨ ی ⟩.

WordPronunciationMeaning
اِی / اِیْeyo! (vocative particle)
اِیوان / اِیْوانeyvânbalcony
مِیدان / مِیْدانmeydânsquare (in street)
مِی / مِیْmeywine

Diphthong “ay”

In standard Iranian Persian, the diphthong “ay” /æj/ has transformed into “ey”. In standard Afghan and Tajik Persian as well as many dialects inside Iran, classical Persian “ay” has been preserved. It is marked in a similar way as “ey”, with the natural difference that the diacritic زبر (“zebar”) is used instead of زیر (“zîr”).

WordPronunciationMeaning
اَی / اَیْayo!
اَیوان / اَیْوانayvânbalcony
مَیدان / مَیْدانmaydânsquare
مَی / مَیْmaywine

Diphthong “oy”

The diphthong “oy” is comprised of the vowels “o” and “î”. It is marked with ⟨ ای ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ وی ⟩ in all other positions. To denote “oy” clearly, the diacritic پیش (“pîš”) can be placed over the preceding consonant. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (“sâken”) can be placed over over ⟨ ی ⟩.

WordPronunciationMeaning
خُوی / خُویْxoysweat (obsolete); name of a city

Diphthong “ôy”

In standard Persian of Iran, the long vowel “ô” has transformed into long vowel “û”. Similarly, the diphthong “ôy” has transformed into “ûy”. In standard Persian of Afghanistan and Tajikistan as well as many dialects inside Iran, classical Persian “ôy” has been preserved. The diphthong “ôy” is marked in a similar way as “oy”.

WordPronunciationMeaning
روی / رُویْrôyzinc; face

Diphthong “ûy”

The diphthong “ûy” is comprised of the vowels “û” and “î”. It is marked with ⟨ اوی ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ وی ⟩ in all other positions. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (sâken) can be place over ⟨ ی ⟩.

WordPronunciationMeaning
اویغور / اویْغورûyǧûrUyghur
روی / رویْrûyzinc; face

Diphthong “ow”

The diphthong “ow” is comprised of the vowels “o” and “û”. It is marked with ⟨ اُو ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ ـُـ و ⟩ in all other positions.

WordPronunciationMeaning
اُوجowjacme, zenith
دُورانdowrânperiod, era
نُوnownew

Diphthong “aw”

In standard Iranian Persian, the diphthong “aw” /æʊ/ has transformed into “ow” /ɔʊ/. In standard Afghan and Tajik Persian as well as many dialects inside Iran, classical Persian “aw” has been preserved. It is marked in a similar way as “ow”, with the natural difference that the diacritic زبر (“zebar”) is used instead of پیش (“pîš”).

WordPronunciationMeaning
اَوجawjacme, zenith
دَورانdawrânperiod, era
نَوnawnew

Summary

The following table summarizes diphthong marking in different word positions.

DiphthongWord InitialWord MedialWord Final
âyآیایای
eyاِیــِـ یــِـ ی
oyاُیویوی
uyاویویوی
owاُوُوُو