Unit 2 — Vowel Letters

Overview

Vowels are an important part of the Devanagari script used to write Nepali.

In Nepali, independent vowel letters can stand alone. Each vowel letter is a complete अक्षर (akṣara), or syllable unit.

For example:

अ
a

इ
i

ओ
o

Each of these can be read as one complete sound.

In this unit, you will learn:

1. the 11 main independent vowel letters in Nepali
2. how each vowel is written
3. how each vowel is pronounced
4. the difference between short and long vowel letters
5. how nasalized vowels work
6. how to recognize vowels as complete अक्षर (akṣara)

You do not need to master everything right away. The goal is to become familiar with the vowel letters so that you can begin reading simple Nepali words with more confidence.

Independent Vowel Letters

Independent vowel letters are full vowel forms.

They do not need to attach to a consonant.

For example:

आ
ā

This vowel can stand alone as one अक्षर (akṣara).

In Nepali, independent vowels often appear:

1. at the beginning of words
2. after consonant clusters
3. in borrowed or modern vocabulary
4. in names, places, and common words

Examples:

आमा
āmā
mother

ओठ
oṭh
lip

ऐना
ainā
mirror

आईसीयू
āīsīyū
ICU

Simple Rule

Independent vowel letters stand alone.

They are complete अक्षर (akṣara) by themselves.

Examples:

अ = a
आ = ā
इ = i
ओ = o

Try It Now

Read the vowel letters aloud:

1. अ — a
2. आ — ā
3. इ — i
4. ई — ī
5. उ — u
6. ऊ — ū
7. ऋ — ṛ
8. ए — e
9. ऐ — ai
10. ओ — o
11. औ — au

Read them slowly first.

Then read them again more naturally.

You can use the audio recorder below to record yourself. Listen to your recording and check whether each vowel sound is clear.

Vowels as अक्षर

Each independent vowel letter is a complete अक्षर (akṣara).

This means it can be read as one syllable unit.

For example:

अ
a

आ
ā

ओ
o

These do not need another letter to make a complete sound.

Examples in Words

Look at these words:

आमा
āmā
mother

ऐना
ainā
mirror

ओठ
oṭh
lip

In each word, the first vowel is an independent vowel letter.

Learner Tip

When you see a vowel letter at the beginning of a word, read it as one complete अक्षर (akṣara).

For example:

आमा
āmā

You can read it as:

आ + मा
ā + mā

Short and Long Vowel Letters

Nepali writing distinguishes between short and long vowel letters for i and u.

This means there are different written forms:

इ
i

ई
ī

उ
u

ऊ
ū

Table 1.2.2 – Short and Long Vowel Letters

Important Note

In traditional spelling, these letters are written differently.

However, in modern spoken Nepali, the length difference is usually not very clear in everyday speech.

For many speakers:

• इ (i) and ई (ī) sound very similar
• उ (u) and ऊ (ū) sound very similar

For beginners, the most important goal is to recognize the spelling difference.

Simple Rule

Focus on spelling first.

Remember:

1. इ and ई are different letters.
2. उ and ऊ are different letters.
3. In speech, they may sound very similar.
4. In writing, you still need to recognize the difference.

Examples

इन्द्र
indra

ईश्वर
īśwar
God

उठ
uṭha
rise

ऊन
ūn
wool

Try It Now

Read each pair aloud:

1. इ — i
2. ई — ī

Now read:

1. उ — u
2. ऊ — ū

Look carefully at the shape of each letter.

Ask yourself:

1. Which one is short in writing?
2. Which one is long in writing?
3. Do they sound similar when spoken?

Key Idea

In speaking, focus on natural pronunciation.

In reading and writing, focus on recognizing the correct vowel letter.

Nasalized Vowels

Nepali vowels can also be nasalized.

Nasalized means that some of the sound comes through the nose.

In transliteration, nasalization is shown with a small tilde mark:

~

For example:

ā̃

You will see this in words such as:

आँखा
ā̃khā
eye; eyes

छाँया
chā̃yā
shadow

Simple Rule

A nasalized vowel has a soft nasal sound.

For beginners:

1. look for the nasal mark in Nepali
2. notice the tilde in transliteration
3. listen carefully to the pronunciation
4. practise saying the sound slowly

Learner Tip

Nasalization is not only a spelling detail.

It can change the sound and meaning of a word.

For now, focus on listening and recognizing the mark.

Try It Now

Read these words aloud:

1. आँखा — ā̃khā — eye; eyes
2. छाँया — chā̃yā — shadow

Now read them again slowly.

Pay attention to the nasal sound.

You can use the audio recorder below to record yourself and compare your pronunciation.