Overview

In Unit 6, you learned about conjunct consonants.

In this unit, you will learn about nasalization in Nepali.

Nasalization means that a sound is made with air flowing through the nose.

In Nepali writing, nasalization is usually shown with two signs:

1. चन्द्रबिन्दु (candrabindu) — ँ
2. बिन्दु (bindu) — ं

These signs are small, but they are important.

They can show:

1. a nasalized vowel
2. a nasal consonant sound

For example:

कहाँ
kahā̃
where

साँझ
sā̃jh
evening

रंग / रङ्ग
raṅg
colour

In this unit, you will learn:

1. what nasalization means
2. how चन्द्रबिन्दु (candrabindu) is used
3. how बिन्दु (bindu) is used
4. the difference between nasalized vowels and nasal consonants
5. how nasal sounds change before different consonants
6. how to read common nasal words in Nepali

You do not need to master every rule right away.

The goal is to recognize the signs and read common nasal words with more confidence.

1. What Is Nasalization?

Nasalization means that air flows through the nose while you say a sound.

In Nepali, nasalization can happen in two main ways:

1. the vowel is nasalized
2. there is a nasal consonant before another consonant

These two patterns look similar in writing, but they are not always the same in pronunciation.

Simple Rule

Nasalization can mean:

1. a vowel has a nasal sound
2. a nasal consonant is added before another consonant

2. The Two Main Nasal Signs

Nepali uses two important nasal signs.

2.1 चन्द्रबिन्दु (candrabindu) — ँ

The चन्द्रबिन्दु (candrabindu) usually shows a nasalized vowel.

Example:

कहाँ
kahā̃
where

आँखा
ā̃khā
eye

2.2 बिन्दु (bindu) — ं

The बिन्दु (bindu) can be used in two ways.

It can show:

1. a nasalized vowel
2. a nasal consonant before another consonant

Examples:

गरें
garẽ
I did

रंग
raṅg
colour

Learner Tip

चन्द्रबिन्दु (candrabindu) and बिन्दु (bindu) both show nasal sounds.

To read them correctly, look at where the sign appears and what comes after it.

3. Nasalized Vowels

A nasalized vowel is one vowel sound with a nasal quality.

This means the vowel itself is nasal.

There is no extra n or m sound after it.

Examples:

कहाँ
kahā̃
where

साँझ
sā̃jh
evening

आँसु
ā̃su
tear

पाँच
pā̃c
five

Simple Rule

A nasalized vowel is one vowel sound with nasal airflow.

Do not add a separate n or m sound after it.

4. How Nasalized Vowels Are Written

Nasalized vowels are usually written with चन्द्रबिन्दु (candrabindu).

Examples:

आँखा
ā̃khā
eye

साँझ
sā̃jh
evening

काँटा
kā̃ṭā
thorn

Sometimes, when there is not enough space above the letter, बिन्दु (bindu) may be used instead.

Examples:

गरें
garẽ
I did

कैंची
kaĩcī
scissors

औंला
aũlā
finger

Learner Tip

When you see nasalization over a vowel or syllable, read the vowel with a gentle nasal sound.

5. Table 1.7.1 – Nasalization Marks in Nepali

6. Common Nasalized Vowel Words

Read the words below slowly.

Focus on the nasal quality of the vowel.

Table 1.7.2 - Nasalized Vowels

Try It Now

Read these words aloud:

कहाँ
kahā̃

यहाँ
yahā̃

साँझ
sā̃jh

पाँच
pā̃c

आँसु
ā̃su

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 nasal sound is clear.

7. Nasal Consonants

Sometimes बिन्दु (bindu) shows a nasal consonant before another consonant.

This means there is a real nasal sound, such as:

ṅ
ñ
ṇ
n
m

The nasal sound changes depending on the consonant that follows.

Example:

रंग
raṅg
colour

Here, the nasal sound is close to ṅ because it comes before ग (ga).

Simple Rule

When बिन्दु (bindu) comes before a consonant, it often represents a nasal consonant.

8. Nasal Sound Before Different Consonants

The nasal sound changes to match the next consonant group.

This may sound difficult at first, but the pattern is regular.

Table 1.7.3 – Nasal Sound Before Consonants

Learner Tip

Look at the consonant after the बिन्दु (bindu).

That consonant helps you decide the nasal sound.

9. Two Ways to Write Some Nasal Sounds

Some Nepali words can be written in two ways:

1. with a conjunct nasal consonant
2. with बिन्दु (bindu)

Both forms are often pronounced the same in modern Nepali.

Examples:

सङ्ग / सँग
saṅga
with

रङ्ग / रंग
raṅg
colour

सन्देश / संदेश
sandeś
message

सम्पर्क / संपर्क
samparka
contact

Table 1.7.4 – Conjunct Spelling and बिन्दु Spelling

Simple Rule

Some nasal words have two spellings.

The sound is often the same.

10. Nasalized Vowels vs. Nasal Consonants

This is the most important difference in this unit.

Nasalized vowel

The vowel itself has a nasal sound.

Example:

काँच
kā̃c
glass

The ā̃ is nasalized.

There is no separate n or m sound.

Nasal consonant

There is a separate nasal consonant before another consonant.

Example:

कंप
kampa
tremor

Here, m is a separate nasal consonant before प (pa).

Simple Rule

A nasalized vowel is one nasal vowel sound.

A nasal consonant is a separate nasal sound before another consonant.

11. Listening Contrast

Read the pairs below.

Listen for the difference between a nasalized vowel and a plain vowel or nasal consonant.

Learner Tip

If the nasal quality stays on the vowel, it is probably a nasalized vowel.

If you hear a separate m, n, ṅ, ñ, or ṇ sound, it is probably a nasal consonant.

12. High-Frequency Nasal Words

Practise these common Nepali words.

13. Reading Rule for बिन्दु (bindu) Before a Consonant

When you see बिन्दु (bindu) before a consonant, follow these steps:

1. Look at the consonant after the बिन्दु (bindu).
2. Identify the consonant group.
3. Choose the matching nasal sound.
4. Read the word aloud.

Example:

रंग

The बिन्दु (bindu) comes before ग (ga).

ग belongs to the क-series.

So the nasal sound is ṅ.

रंग
raṅg

14. Try It Now

Read the words aloud.

1. कहाँ
   kahā̃
2. साँझ
   sā̃jh
3. पाँच
   pā̃c
4. रंग
   raṅg
5. सन्देश
   sandeś
6. सम्पर्क
   samparka
7. संसार
   saṃsār
8. संस्कृत
   saṃskṛt

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 nasal sounds are clear.