Other than the difference in the forms of alphabet, the most commonly known difference is the direction in which Farsi is written and read—from right to left.

However, one of the most unique aspects of Farsi writing is how the words are formed. Farsi has no capital letters, however each character has four shape variations: initial, medial, final, and freestanding or “whole”.

While each word starts with the initial form, medial forms are used to connect each following character, ending a complete word with the final form . Even within these forms at any point in time one is given the freedom of adapting the shapes of the characters—in numerous forms—with the purpose of arriving at a visually balanced and aesthetically pleasing written form.