Hindi script reference
Look up a sign or check a rule while you read. Use the numbered units to learn step by step.
Consonants use their labelled inherent-vowel syllable. Marks play a labelled example word; whole-word audio is the pronunciation reference.
Alphabet shelf · open whenever you need a reminder
i
ka. Plain k: no puff of air.
i
ma
i
la
i
na
i
ra
i
a
i
ā
i
ā sign. The dotted circle only shows where a consonant would go.
i
da. Dental d: the tongue tip touches the upper teeth.
i
short i sign. Written first, read second: दि is d + i.
i
ta. Dental t without a puff of air.
i
long ī sign
i
i
i
pa. Plain p: no puff of air.
i
short u sign
i
long ū sign
i
ū
i
sa
i
e sign
i
ai sign
i
e
i
ai
i
o sign
i
au sign
i
o
i
au
i
kha. k with a puff of air, not English ch.
i
ga
i
gha. A buzzing g with a breathy release.
i
ī
i
ca. Like ch in “chin”, without a puff of air.
i
cha
i
ja
i
jha
i
tha. Dental t with a puff of air, not English th.
i
dha. Dental d with a breathy release.
i
pha. p with a puff of air; many speakers say f.
i
ba
i
bha
i
ṭa. The tongue tip curls back.
i
ṭha. Curled tongue with a puff of air.
i
ḍa. Curled tongue with a buzz.
i
ḍha. Curled tongue, buzz and breath.
i
ya
i
va / wa. Between English v and w.
i
ha
i
u
i
śa / sha
i
ṣa / sha. Today usually the same sound as श; learn the spelling word by word.
i
ṇa. Curled-tongue n; many speakers say it close to न.
i
ṛ / ri
i
ri sign
i
nasal dot. Before a consonant the dot is a nasal that matches it: n in अंडा, ng in पतंग.
i
moon-dot: nasal vowel. The vowel goes through the nose; there is no separate n.
i
halant: no inherent vowel. Joined letters can show as a half shape, a stack or a new ligature.
i
visarga. Learn the whole-word pronunciation.
i
ṅa. The ng sound; usually written with ं today: गंगा.
i
ña. Mostly inside joined letters; ज्ञ is said gy in Hindi.
i
nukta: changes a consonant
i
ṛa. A quick flap: the curled tongue flicks forward once.
i
ṛha. A breathy flap.
i
fa
i
za
i
qa / ka
i
xa / kha
i
ɣa / ga
i
ɔ
i
ɔ sign
र, अ, आ and ◌ा
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
म + ा → मा
म + ा + ल + ा → माला
द and ◌ि
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
द + ि → दि
क + ि + ल + ा → किला
त, ◌ी and इ
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
त + ी → ती
त + ि + त + ल + ी → तितली
प, ◌ु, ◌ू and ऊ
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
प + ु → पु
आ + ल + ू → आलू
स, ◌े, ◌ै, ए and ऐ
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
क + े → के
प + ै + स + ा → पैसा
◌ो, ◌ौ, ओ and औ
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
म + ो → मो
न + ौ → नौ
श, ष, ण, ऋ and ◌ृ
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
क + ृ → कृ
◌्, ◌ः, ङ and ञ
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
ल + ् + ल → ल्ल
त + ् + त → त्त
ज + ् + ञ → ज्ञ
◌़, ड़, ढ़, फ़ and ज़
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
ड + ़ → ड़
ढ + ़ → ढ़
Joined consonants
Build the reading unit
Enter parts in logical order; the font places and joins them.
क + ् + ष → क्ष
त + ् + र → त्र
र + ् + स → र्स
Numbers, the danda and another typeface
| Digit | Value |
|---|---|
| ० | 0 |
| १ | 1 |
| २ | 2 |
| ३ | 3 |
| ४ | 4 |
| ५ | 5 |
| ६ | 6 |
| ७ | 7 |
| ८ | 8 |
| ९ | 9 |
More listening and background
Hindi · left to right · reading and optional typing