Lesson 2: Devanagari Vowels

Welcome to lesson 2! In this lesson, you will learn about the vowels in Hindi.

There are 11 vowels: अ आ इ ई उ ऊ ऋ ए ऐ ओ औ.

All vowels have two forms: an independent form, and a maatraa form. The independent form is used whenever a vowel doesn’t follow a consonant (at the beginning of a word, or after another vowel). The maatraa form is used whenever a vowel follows a consonant.

All vowels have two forms: an independent and maatraa form.

The vowel अ is an exception (it has no explicit maatraa form), which will be explained later.

The following table shows every vowel with its maatraa form, how it looks with the consonant क, and its pronunciation.

Vowel Maatraa With क Pronounciation
none [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/a.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/a.ogg” title=”अ” skin=”mini2″]
का [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aa.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aa.ogg” title=”आ” skin=”mini2″]
ि कि [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/i.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/i.ogg” title=”इ” skin=”mini2″]
की [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/ii.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/ii.ogg” title=”ई” skin=”mini2″]
कु [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/u.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/u.ogg” title=”उ” skin=”mini2″]
कू [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/oo.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/oo.ogg” title=”ऊ” skin=”mini2″]
कृ [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/ri.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/ri.ogg” title=”ऋ” skin=”mini2″]
के [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/e.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/e.ogg” title=”ए” skin=”mini2″]
कै [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/ai.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/ai.ogg” title=”ऐ” skin=”mini2″]
को [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/o.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/o.ogg” title=”ओ” skin=”mini2″]
कौ [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/au.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/au.ogg” title=”औ” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel अ

Listen to the audio recording of the vowel अ:

[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/a.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/a.ogg” title=”अ” skin=”mini2″]

The vowel अ is a special vowel. It is the default vowel. Here’s an example:

मन (“mind”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/man.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/man.ogg” title=”मन” skin=”mini2″]

Only two letters are written: मन = म + न. The vowel अ is implied. The vowel अ is pronounced between the म and the न. Thus, the vowel अ has no maatraa form. You could think of a space between consonants as representing the vowel अ.

Here’s an example of अ in independent form:

अन्दर (“inside”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/andar.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/andar.ogg” title=”अन्दर” skin=”mini2″]

Now, consider the following word:

मोती (“pearl”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/moti.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/moti.ogg” title=”मोती” skin=”mini2″]

A vowel was written after the म: ओ (ो). Since an explicit vowel was written, the default vowel is overridden. The default vowel is only pronounced if no other vowel is written with a consonant.

Now, consider another word:

हिन्दी (“Hindi”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/hindi.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/hindi.ogg” title=”हिन्दी” skin=”mini2″]

The vowel इ is unusual: its maatraa ( ि ) is written before the consonant. Thus, the first letter of the word हिन्दी is ह. Since a vowel ( ि ) is written with ह, the default vowel isn’t there.

The next letter is न. Notice how the line on the right side of न is missing in the word हिन्दी. That’s because it is written in a conjunct. A conjunct indicates that there is no vowel between two consonants. If a letter has a vertical line like न, the line is deleted, and it is appended to the next consonant, like the न्द in हिन्दी. You will learn about conjuncts in future lessons.

There is one more way: The word हिन्दी could also be written हिन््दी. The symbol ् is called a halant. When it is written underneath a consonant, it means that there is no vowel after that consonant. It is somewhat rare. Conjuncts are much more common. The word हिन्दी is usually not spelled with a halant.

The vowel अ is generally not pronounced at the end of a word, with the exception of certain one-letter words. Thus, मन is “man”, not “mana”, etc. However, the word व is pronounced with the vowel अ because it is a one-letter word. In Sanskrit, the अ vowel is pronounced at the end of a word if the word ends with a consonant. For this reason, sometimes, people might pronounce an अ at the end of certain words. When a word ends with certain conjuncts, such as the word मित्र, a slight अ is often pronounced, since it is difficult to pronounce without a final vowel.

The vowel अ is implied after every consonant, unless:

  • Another vowel (maatraa) is written with the consonant
  • The consonant is the first letter of a conjunct
  • A halant is underneath the consonant
  • The consonant is the last letter in a word, and the word has more than one letter

Often, the vowel अ is not pronounced. If there is a vowel on both sides of the consonants around अ, then it is often not pronounced. For instance, in the name “केतकी”, there is a अ (in maatraa form). It is surrounded by consonants (त and क). There are vowels on both sides of those consonants (ए and ई). Thus, the अ is not pronounced. The name is pronounced “Ketki”, even though it is still spelled “Ketaki”.

In fact, this is very common. The reason that it is so common is because many word endings beginning with with अ are added to words. Every infinitive has the suffix ना, for instance, which is added with the vowel अ to the verb stem.

Sometimes, the vowel अ is just pronounced lightly or quickly in these situations, but not fully omitted.

Often, when singing, singers will pronounce the अ in order to emphasize the word or make the word match the rhythm, etc.

If the vowel अ is surrounded by consonants, and the consonants are surrounded by vowels, then it is generally not pronounced.

Here are several examples; notice how some अ vowels are not pronounced:

Word Meaning Pronunciation
नमकीन salty snack food [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/namkeen.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/namkeen.ogg” title=”नमकीन” skin=”mini2″]
गलती mistake [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/galti.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/galti.ogg” title=”गलती” skin=”mini2″]
करना to do [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/karna.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/karna.ogg” title=”करना” skin=”mini2″]
देवनागरी Devanagari [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/devanagari.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/devanagari.ogg” title=”देवनागरी” skin=”mini2″]
ममता motherly affection [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/mamta.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/mamta.ogg” title=”ममता” skin=”mini2″]

The vowel अ is sometimes pronounced like the “e” in “end”. If there are two अ vowels on both sides of the letter ह, then both vowels are usually pronounced like “e”. However, this is technically not the proper pronunciation.

The vowel अ is often pronounced differently by native speakers when two अ vowels are on both sides of the consonant ह

Here are a few examples:

Word Meaning Pronunciation Proper Pronunciation
बहन sister [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/behen-2.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/behen-2.ogg” title=”बहन” skin=”mini2″] [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/behen.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/behen.ogg” title=”बहन” skin=”mini2″]
कहना to say [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/kehna-2.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/kehna-2.ogg” title=”कहना” skin=”mini2″] [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/kehna.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/kehna.ogg” title=”कहना” skin=”mini2″]
पहनना to wear [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/pehenna-2.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/pehenna-2.ogg” title=”पहनना” skin=”mini2″] [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/pehenna.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/pehenna.ogg” title=”पहनना” skin=”mini2″]
अहम important [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aham-2.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aham-2.ogg” title=”अहम” skin=”mini2″] [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aham.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aham.ogg” title=”अहम” skin=”mini2″]
महल palace [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/mahal-2.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/mahal-2.ogg” title=”महल” skin=”mini2″] [jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/mahal.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/mahal.ogg” title=”महल” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel आ

The vowel आ is pronounced like the “a” in “call”, but it is more open (your mouth should be a little more open). Its maatraa form is ा. The maatraa is written to the right of the consonant.

आ ( ा)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aa.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aa.ogg” title=”आ” skin=”mini2″]

Here is an example word:

दावा (“claim”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/daavaa.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/daavaa.ogg” title=”दावा” skin=”mini2″]

Notice how there were two maatraa forms of this vowel in the previous example ( ा).

Here’s an example of the independent form (आ):

आग (“fire”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aag.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aag.ogg” title=”आग” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel इ

The vowel इ is usually pronounced like the “i” in “it”. When it is at the end of a word, it is often pronounced like the “ee” in “feet”. Technically, the distinction between the vowel इ and the vowel ई is duration; ई is pronounced for a longer amount of time. However, in modern Hindi, they are usually pronounced distinctly, regardless of duration.

Its maatraa form is ि. Its maatraa form is written to the left of the consonant. It is the only maatraa that is written to the left of its corresponding consonant. All other maatraas are written to the right of, above, or below the consonant. Note how the curve on the top goes toward the right.

इ ( ि )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/i.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/i.ogg” title=”इ ( ि )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa in a word:

स्थित (“located / situated”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/sthit.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/sthit.ogg” title=”स्थित” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s another example; notice how it is pronounced differently when it appears at the end of a word:

स्थिति (“position / situation”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/sthiti.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/sthiti.ogg” title=”स्थिति” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

इधर (“here”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/idhar.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/idhar.ogg” title=”इधर” skin=”mini2″]

This vowel can tend to be pronounced more like ई when it is followed by य or other vowels, etc. Here are two examples:

इन्द्रिय (“sense [bodily, etc.]”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/indriy.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/indriy.ogg” title=”इन्द्रिय” skin=”mini2″]
आइए (“come”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aaiye.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aaiye.ogg” title=”आइए” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel ई

The vowel ई is pronounced like the “ee” in “feet”. Its maatraa form is ी. Note how the curve goes toward the left. The maatraa is written to the right of the consonant.

ई ( ी)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/ii.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/ii.ogg” title=”ई ( ी)” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa form:

पीठ (“back [of body]”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/pith.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/pith.ogg” title=”पीठ” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

स्थाई (“permanent / long-lasting”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/sthai.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/sthai.ogg” title=”स्थाई” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel उ

The vowel उ is pronounced like the “u” in “put”. Its maatraa form ु is written below the consonant. Technically, the distinction between उ and ऊ is the duration; उ is pronounced for a shorter amount of time, and ऊ is pronounced for a longer amount of time. However, in modern Hindi, they are pronounced distinctly, regardless of the duration.

उ ( ु )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/u.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/u.ogg” title=”उ ( ु )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa:

सबुत (“proof”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/sabut.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/sabut.ogg” title=”सबुत” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

उपेक्षा (“neglect”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/upeksha.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/upeksha.ogg” title=”उपेक्षा” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel ऊ

The vowel ऊ is pronounced like the “oo” in “boot”. Its maatraa form is ू and it is written below the consonant.

ऊ ( ू )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/oo.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/oo.ogg” title=”ऊ ( ू )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa:

भूमिका (“role”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/bhumika.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/bhumika.ogg” title=”भूमिका” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

ऊपर (“above”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/upar.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/upar.ogg” title=”ऊपर” skin=”mini2″]

The vowel ऊ has a special form when used with the consonant र: रु. Here is an example:

रुपया (“rupee”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/rupya.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/rupya.ogg” title=”रुपया” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel ऋ

The vowel ऋ is really a semi-vowel. It is pronounced like the “ri” in “rip”. Some speakers pronounce it like the “ree” in “reed”. The “r” sound is flapped (i.e. “rolled”) by the tongue.

In the Marathi language, it is pronounced like the “ru” in “rumor”. Thus, for instance, if you meet someone named ऋषि from Maharashtra, the name might be pronounced “Rushi”, rather than “Rishi”.

Its maatraa form ृ is written below the consonant.

ऋ ( ृ )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/ri.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/ri.ogg” title=”ऋ ( ृ )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa:

कृपया (formal “please”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/kripya.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/kripya.ogg” title=”कृपया” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

ऋचा (female name, “verse / hymn”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/richa.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/richa.ogg” title=”ऋचा” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel ए

The vowel ए is pronounced like the “ey” in “hey”. Its maatraa form े is written above the consonant.

ए ( े )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/e.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/e.ogg” title=”ए ( े )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa:

सेना (“army / military”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/sena.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/sena.ogg” title=”सेना” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

जाइए (“go”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/jaaiye.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/jaaiye.ogg” title=”जाइए” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel ऐ

The vowel ऐ is pronounced like the “a” in “bat”. Its maatraa form ै is written above the consonant.

ऐ ( ै )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/ai.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/ai.ogg” title=”ऐ ( ै )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa:

बैठना (“to sit”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/baithna.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/baithna.ogg” title=”बैठना” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

ऐश (“revelry”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aish.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aish.ogg” title=”ऐश” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel ओ

The vowel ओ is pronounced like the “o” in “bow”. It is a pure vowel, not a glide like the English “o”, however. In other words, the lips generally do not taper when pronouncing it. Its maatraa form is ो, which is written to the right of the consonant.

ओ ( ो )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/o.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/o.ogg” title=”ओ ( ो )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa:

मोती (“pearl”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/moti.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/moti.ogg” title=”मोती” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

आओ (“come”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aao.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aao.ogg” title=”आओ” skin=”mini2″]

The Vowel औ

The vowel औ is pronounced like the “aw” in “saw”. It is a rounded vowel. Its maatraa form is ौ, which is written to the right of the consonant.

औ ( ौ )
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/au.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/au.ogg” title=”औ ( ौ )” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the maatraa form:

सौ (“hundred”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/sau.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/sau.ogg” title=”सौ” skin=”mini2″]

Here’s an example of the independent form:

औरत (“woman”)
[jp mp3=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/mp3/aurat.mp3″ ogg=”https://hindilanguage.info/audio/ogg/aurat.ogg” title=”औरत” skin=”mini2″]

Review

Here’s what you learned:

  • There are 11 vowels in Devanagari: अ आ इ ई उ ऊ ऋ ए ऐ ओ औ
  • Every vowel has two forms, the independent and maatraa form
    • The independent form is used when a vowel does not follow a consonant, such as at the beginning of a word, or
      after another vowel.
    • The maatraa form is used otherwise, that is, when a vowel follows a consonant
  • The vowel अ is special.
    • It has no maatraa form. It is implied after every consonant, except in the following cases:
      • The consonant has a halant ( ् ) underneath it
      • The consonant is the first member of a conjunct
      • The consonant is followed by another vowel
      • The consonant is the last letter of a word that has more than one letter
    • It is sometimes not pronounced. If it is surrounded by two consonants, and those two consonants are surrounded by vowels, then it is generally not pronounced. Sometimes, it is pronounced, however.
    • If there are two अ vowels on either side of the consonant ह, then both vowels are usually pronounced like the “e” in “bed”.
  • The vowel ऊ, when following र, is written रु

Exercises

  1. Identify all the vowels in the following words:
    1. परिस्थिति
    2. मनाना
    3. औसत
    4. स्त्रोत
    5. घृणा
    6. तोता
    7. एकता
    8. कबूतर
    9. उत्तर
    10. कुत्ता
    11. परिणाम
    12. रेगिस्तान
    13. बनाइए
    14. इतिहास
    15. साहित्य
    16. सौर
    17. जाओ
    18. अन्दर
    19. आसमान
    20. मीठा
    21. भाई
    22. उबना
    23. टिकाऊ
    24. साबुत
    25. पैमाना
    26. ऐनक
    27. विस्फोट
    28. औसत
    29. ऋतू
    30. रूचि
  2. Determine which of the अ vowels in the following words are not pronounced:
    1. करना
    2. अवकाश
    3. मानना
    4. अवसर
    5. अवतार
    6. जानना
    7. आसमान
  3. How is the vowel अ pronounced in the following words?
    1. बहस
    2. सहना
  4. In the word परिस्थिति, the first two इ vowels are pronounced differently than the last one by many speakers. Why?
  5. In the word सम्मान, no अ vowel is pronounced between the two म consonants. Why?
  6. In some contexts people will pronounce an अ vowel at the end of the word धर्म, but often no vowel is pronounced. Why? Hint: this word means “religion”, and it is a Sanskrit word.

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