Zero-width joiner
The zero-width joiner is a non-printing character used in the computerized typesetting of some complex scripts such as the Arabic script or any Indic script. Sometimes the Roman script is to be counted as complex, e.g. when using a Fraktur typeface. When placed between two characters that would otherwise not be connected, a ZWJ causes them to be printed in their connected forms.
The exact behaviour of the ZWJ varies depending on whether the use of a conjunct consonant or ligature is expected by default; for instance, it suppresses the use of conjuncts in Devanagari, but induces the use of conjuncts in Sinhala. Similarly to Sinhala, when a ZWJ is placed between two emoji characters, it can result in a single glyph being shown, such as the family emoji, made up of two adult emoji and one or two child emoji.
In some cases, such as the second Devanagari example below, the ZWJ can be used to display a joining form in isolation, when included after the character and combining halant code.
The character's code point is. In the InScript keyboard layout for Indian languages, it is typed by the key combination Ctrl+Shift+1. However, many layouts use the ']' key for this character.
Examples
| Character sequence | Appearance | Description |
| ??? | Family: Man, Woman, Boy | |
| ?️? | Rainbow Flag | |
| ??♀️ | Woman Running: Light Skin Tone | |
| ??♀️ | Woman Running: Dark Skin Tone |
| Character sequence | Appearance |
| ರ್ಕ | |
| ರ್ಕ |
| Character sequence | Appearance |
| ണ് | |
| ന് | |
| ര് | |
| ല് | |
| ള് |