Overview

So far, you have learned how Devanagari (dewanāgarī) is organized into अक्षर (akṣara) in Unit 1.

You also learned:

1. independent vowel letters in Unit 2
2. vowel signs, or मात्रा (mātrā), in Unit 3

In this unit, you will learn the Nepali consonant letters.

In Devanagari, most consonants include a built-in a sound.

For example:

क
ka

ट
ṭa

म
ma

This means क is not read as only “k.”

It is read as:

क
ka

In this unit, you will learn:

1. the main Nepali consonant letters
2. how consonants are organized
3. how consonants carry a built-in a sound
4. how vowel signs change consonant sounds
5. how the हलन्त (halanta) removes the vowel sound
6. how to recognize common conjuncts such as क्ष, त्र, and ज्ञ

You do not need to memorize every consonant right away.

The goal is to become familiar with the consonant system so that you can begin reading Nepali words with more confidence.

1. What Is a Consonant?

A consonant is a letter that usually works together with a vowel sound.

In Nepali Devanagari, most consonants already include a built-in a sound.

For example:

This means a consonant by itself can be read as a complete अक्षर (akṣara).

Simple Rule

Most Nepali consonants have a built-in a sound.

Examples:

क = ka
ग = ga
न = na
म = ma

2. How the Consonant Sound Changes

The built-in a sound can change in two main ways.

2.1 A vowel sign can change the sound

A vowel sign, or मात्रा (mātrā), can be added to a consonant.

Examples:

क → का
ka → kā

क → कि
ka → ki

क → कु
ka → ku

The consonant stays the same.

The vowel sound changes.

2.2 The हलन्त (halanta) can remove the vowel sound

The हलन्त (halanta) sign is written as:

्

It removes the built-in a sound from a consonant.

Example:

क → क्
ka → k

So, क is read as ka, but क् is read as k.

Simple Rule

1. A consonant usually includes the vowel sound a.
2. A vowel sign changes the vowel sound.
3. A हलन्त (halanta) removes the vowel sound.

3. The Nepali Consonant Chart

Nepali has 33 basic consonant letters.

The chart below shows the main consonants in order.

It also includes three common conjunct forms:

क्ष
kṣa

त्र
tra

ज्ञ
jña / gya

You will see these often in Nepali words and names.

Table 1.4.1 – Nepali Consonant Chart

Learner Tip

Do not try to memorize the whole chart at once.

Start with one row at a time.

Read slowly.

Then read again more naturally.

4. The Five Main Consonant Rows

Nepali consonants are organized into five main rows.

Each row has five consonants.

These rows are based on where the sound is made in the mouth.

The five main rows are:

1. क-series
   ka-series
2. च-series
   ca-series
3. ट-series
   ṭa-series
4. त-series
   ta-series
5. प-series
   pa-series

Table 1.4.2 – The Five Main Consonant Rows

Learner Tip

Nepali consonants are not random.

They follow a pattern.

When you learn the pattern, the chart becomes easier to read.

5. Reading the Five Rows

Read each row aloud.

5.1 क-series

क, ख, ग, घ, ङ
ka, kha, ga, gha, ṅa

These sounds are made toward the back of the mouth.

5.2 च-series

च, छ, ज, झ, ञ
ca, cha, ja, jha, ña

These sounds are made near the front part of the mouth.

5.3 ट-series

ट, ठ, ड, ढ, ण
ṭa, ṭha, ḍa, ḍha, ṇa

These sounds are made by curling the tongue slightly back.

5.4 त-series

त, थ, द, ध, न
ta, tha, da, dha, na

These sounds are made with the tongue near the upper teeth.

5.5 प-series

प, फ, ब, भ, म
pa, pha, ba, bha, ma

These sounds are made with the lips.

6. Consonants by Place of Pronunciation

The chart below shows where the five main consonant rows are made in the mouth.

You do not need to memorize the technical terms right away.

Use this table as a pronunciation guide.

Table 1.4.3 – Stop and Nasal Consonants by Place of Pronunciation

Learner Tip

Some sounds have extra air.

For example:

क
ka

ख
kha

ग
ga

घ
gha

The letters ख and घ are pronounced with a stronger puff of air.

7. क-Series Consonants

The क-series is made toward the back of the mouth.

This group includes:

क, ख, ग, घ, ङ
ka, kha, ga, gha, ṅa

Table 1.4.4 – क-Series Consonants

8. च-Series Consonants

The च-series is made near the front or middle part of the mouth.

This group includes:

च, छ, ज, झ, ञ
ca, cha, ja, jha, ña

9. ट-Series Consonants

The ट-series is made by curling the tongue slightly back.

This group includes:

ट, ठ, ड, ढ, ण
ṭa, ṭha, ḍa, ḍha, ṇa

These sounds may feel stronger than the त-series sounds.

10. त-Series Consonants

The त-series is made with the tongue touching or coming close to the upper teeth.

This group includes:

त, थ, द, ध, न
ta, tha, da, dha, na

11. प-Series Consonants

The प-series is made with the lips.

This group includes:

प, फ, ब, भ, म
pa, pha, ba, bha, ma

Table 1.4.8 – प-Series Consonants

12. Other Important Consonants

Nepali also has other important consonants outside the five main rows.

These include:

1. semi-vowels
2. sibilants
3. ह (ha)
4. common conjuncts

Table 1.4.9 – Other Consonant Groups

13. Semi-Vowels

Semi-vowels are consonants that flow smoothly in pronunciation.

This group includes:

य, र, ल, व
ya, ra, la, wa

Table 1.4.10 – Semi-Vowels

14. Sibilant Consonants

Sibilants are hissing sounds.

This group includes:

श, ष, स
śa, ṣa, sa

15. The Consonant ह

The consonant ह (ha) is a breathy sound.

It is similar to “h” in the English word “hat.”

You will see ह in many common Nepali words and verb forms.

Table 1.4.12 – The Consonant ह

16. Common Conjuncts

Some consonant combinations appear as fixed visual forms.

These are called conjuncts.

For beginners, it is helpful to recognize them as complete units.

The most common ones are:

क्ष
kṣa

त्र
tra

ज्ञ
jña / gya

In modern Nepali, ज्ञ is often pronounced closer to gya.

Table 1.4.13 – Common Conjuncts

Learner Tip

For now, do not worry about how conjuncts are formed.

Just try to recognize these three as common visual units:

क्ष
kṣa

त्र
tra

ज्ञ
jña / gya

17. Try It Now

Read the consonants aloud by row.

Row 1

क, ख, ग, घ, ङ
ka, kha, ga, gha, ṅa

Row 2

च, छ, ज, झ, ञ
ca, cha, ja, jha, ña

Row 3

ट, ठ, ड, ढ, ण
ṭa, ṭha, ḍa, ḍha, ṇa

Row 4

त, थ, द, ध, न
ta, tha, da, dha, na

Row 5

प, फ, ब, भ, म
pa, pha, ba, bha, ma

Read slowly first.

Then read again more naturally.

You can use the audio recorder below to record yourself. Listen to your recording and check whether the consonant sounds are clear.