{"id":52,"date":"2025-12-25T14:52:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T19:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepali\/chapter\/chapter-1-unit-3-vowel-signs\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T15:31:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T19:31:45","slug":"chapter-1-unit-3-vowel-signs","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepali\/chapter\/chapter-1-unit-3-vowel-signs\/","title":{"raw":"Unit 3 \u2014 Vowel Signs","rendered":"Unit 3 \u2014 Vowel Signs"},"content":{"raw":"

Overview<\/h2>\r\nIn Unit 2, you learned the 11 main independent Nepali vowel letters:\r\n\r\n\u0905 (a<\/em>)\r\n\u0906 (\u0101<\/em>)\r\n\u0907 (i<\/em>)\r\n\u0908 (\u012b<\/em>)\r\n\u0909 (u<\/em>)\r\n\u090a (\u016b<\/em>)\r\n\u090b (\u1e5b<\/em>)\r\n\u090f (e<\/em>)\r\n\u0910 (ai<\/em>)\r\n\u0913 (o<\/em>)\r\n\u0914 (au<\/em>)\r\n\r\nThese vowel letters are complete \u0905\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0930 (ak\u1e63ara<\/em>). This means they can stand alone as full written units.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0905\r\na<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0906\r\n\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0913\r\no<\/em>\r\n\r\nEach of these can be read by itself.\r\n\r\nIn this unit, you will learn vowel signs, or \u092e\u093e\u0924\u094d\u0930\u093e ([pb_glossary id=\"382\"]m\u0101tr\u0101[\/pb_glossary]<\/em>).\r\n\r\nVowel signs are different from independent vowel letters. They cannot stand alone. They must attach to a consonant.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0915\r\nka<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093e\r\nk\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093f\r\nki<\/em>\r\n\r\nThe consonant \u0915 (ka<\/em>) stays the same. The vowel sign changes the vowel sound.\r\n\r\nThis pattern is very important in Nepali reading and writing.\r\n\r\nIn this unit, you will learn:\r\n\r\nthe main Nepali vowel signs\r\nhow vowel signs attach to consonants\r\nhow vowel signs change the sound of a consonant\r\nhow to read the \u0915 (ka<\/em>) series\r\nhow to recognize vowel signs in simple Nepali words\r\n\r\nYou do not need to master everything right away. The goal is to become familiar with how vowel signs work so that you can begin reading Nepali words with more confidence.\r\n

Vowel Letters and Vowel Signs<\/h2>\r\nNepali vowels appear in two forms.\r\n\r\nIndependent vowel letters are used when a syllable begins with a vowel.\r\n\r\nVowel signs, or \u092e\u093e\u0924\u094d\u0930\u093e (m\u0101tr\u0101<\/em>), are used when a vowel sound is attached to a consonant.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0906\r\n\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\nThis is an independent vowel letter. It can stand alone.\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093e\r\nk\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\nHere, the vowel sound \u0101<\/em> is attached to the consonant \u0915 (ka<\/em>) by using the vowel sign \u093e.\r\n

Simple Rule<\/h2>\r\nIndependent vowel letters stand alone.\r\n\r\nVowel signs attach to consonants.\r\n\r\nExamples:\r\n\r\n\u0905 = a<\/em>\r\n\u0915 = ka<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0906 = \u0101<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u093e = k\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0907 = i<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u093f = ki<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0909 = u<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u0941 = ku<\/em>\r\n

The Inherent a<\/em> Sound<\/h2>\r\nIn Devanagari, most consonants already include a built-in a<\/em> sound.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0915\r\nka<\/em>\r\n\r\nThis means \u0915 is not just \u201ck.\u201d It is read as ka<\/em>.\r\n\r\nWhen you add a vowel sign, the built-in a<\/em> sound changes.\r\n\r\nExamples:\r\n\r\n\u0915\r\nka<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093e\r\nk\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093f\r\nki<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0941\r\nku<\/em>\r\n\r\nSo, the consonant stays the same, but the vowel sound changes.\r\n

Simple Rule<\/h2>\r\nA consonant has an inherent a<\/em> sound.\r\n\r\nA vowel sign replaces that sound.\r\n\r\nExamples:\r\n\r\n\u0915 \u2192 \u0915\u093e\r\nka<\/em> \u2192 k\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915 \u2192 \u0915\u093f\r\nka<\/em> \u2192 ki<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915 \u2192 \u0915\u0941\r\nka<\/em> \u2192 ku<\/em>\r\n\r\n[table id=6 \/]\r\n

Vowel Signs with \u0915 (ka<\/em>)<\/h2>\r\nNow look at how vowel signs attach to the consonant \u0915 (ka<\/em>).\r\n\r\nThe base consonant \u0915 has the sound ka<\/em>.\r\nWhen a vowel sign is added, the vowel sound changes.\r\n
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Table 1.3.2 \u2013 Vowel signs with (ka<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nThis table shows how vowel signs attach to the consonant \u0915 (ka<\/em>). The base consonant always carries an inherent a<\/em> sound unless modified by a vowel sign.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/article><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Vowel letter<\/td>\r\nVowel sign<\/td>\r\nSyllable with \u0915 (ka)<\/td>\r\nAudio<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0905 (a<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u2014<\/td>\r\n\u0915 (ka<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"19\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0906 (\u0101<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u093e<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u093e (k\u0101<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"20\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0907 (i<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u093f<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u093f (ki<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"21\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0908 (\u012b<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u0940<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u0940 (k\u012b<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"21\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0909 (u<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u0941<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u0941 (ku<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"22\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u090a (\u016b<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u0942<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u0942 (k\u016b<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"22\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u090f (e<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u0947<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u0947 (ke<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"23\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0910 (ai<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u0948<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u0948 (kai<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"24\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0913 (o<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u094b<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u094b (ko<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"25\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u0914 (au<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u094c<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u094c (kau<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"26\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
\u090b (\u1e5b<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n\u0943<\/td>\r\n\u0915\u0943 (k\u1e5b<\/em>)<\/td>\r\n[h5p id=\"27\"]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Learner Tip<\/h2>\r\nSome vowel signs appear after the consonant.\r\n\r\nExample:\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093e\r\nk\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\nSome vowel signs appear before the consonant.\r\n\r\nExample:\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093f\r\nki<\/em>\r\n\r\nEven though \u093f appears before \u0915, you still read the consonant first.\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093f is read as:\r\n\r\n\u0915 + \u093f\r\nk<\/em> + i<\/em>\r\nki<\/em>\r\n\r\nIt is not read as ik<\/em>.\r\n

Try It Now<\/h2>\r\nRead the \u0915 (ka<\/em>) series aloud:\r\n\r\n\u0915 \u2014 ka<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u093e \u2014 k\u0101<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u093f \u2014 ki<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u0940 \u2014 k\u012b<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u0941 \u2014 ku<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u0942 \u2014 k\u016b<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u0943 \u2014 k\u1e5b<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u0947 \u2014 ke<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u0948 \u2014 kai<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u094b \u2014 ko<\/em>\r\n\u0915\u094c \u2014 kau<\/em>\r\n\r\nRead them slowly first.\r\n\r\nThen read them again more naturally.\r\n\r\nYou can use the audio recorder below to record yourself. Listen to your recording and check whether each vowel sound is clear.\r\n

Vowel Signs in Words<\/h2>\r\nVowel signs are used in many Nepali words.\r\n\r\nLook at these examples:\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093e\u092e\r\nk\u0101m<\/em>\r\nwork\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c\r\nkit\u0101b<\/em>\r\nbook\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0941\u0930\u094d\u0938\u0940\r\nkurs\u012b<\/em>\r\nchair\r\n\r\n\u0915\u0947\u0930\u093e\r\nker\u0101<\/em>\r\nbanana\r\n\r\n\u0915\u094b\u0920\u093e\r\nko\u1e6dh\u0101<\/em>\r\nroom\r\n\r\nIn each word, vowel signs are attached to consonants.\r\n

Learner Tip<\/h2>\r\nWhen you read a Nepali word, look carefully at the consonant and the vowel sign together.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093f\r\nki<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u093e\r\nk\u0101<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u0915\u094b\r\nko<\/em>\r\n\r\nEach consonant + vowel sign makes one complete \u0905\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0930 (ak\u1e63ara<\/em>).\r\n
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Watch and Practice<\/h2>\r\nWatch the short video below to practise Nepali vowels and vowel signs.\r\n\r\nLet\u2019s watch this short video, about 1 minute long, created by Joseph Wr<\/a> to learn and practise vowel letters and vowel signs. The video was designed for Hindi, but the vowel signs are also useful for Nepali.\r\n\r\nAs you watch, try to notice:\r\n\r\nthe shape of each vowel sign\r\nwhere the vowel sign appears\r\nhow the vowel sign attaches to the consonant\r\nhow the sound changes\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/youtu.be\/hrfPhIx9i48?si=1KlA31nGKV9RKXpA[\/embed]\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nNow watch this short video, about 3 minutes long, created by Sharad Dhakal<\/a>\u200b, to learn and practise how to write Nepali vowel signs.\r\n\r\nAs you watch, focus on:\r\n\r\nthe direction of writing\r\nthe placement of each vowel sign\r\nthe difference between similar signs\r\nhow the signs combine with consonants\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/youtu.be\/IpdSTY_d960?si=COjC771OsbD__8Ny[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Practice Activity<\/h3>\r\n
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Use the activity below to practise matching each vowel letter with its vowel sign. Read each pair aloud as you match them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[h5p id=\"28\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Check Your Understanding<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
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[h5p id=\"562\"]<\/code><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Review Questions<\/h2>\r\nAnswer the questions.\r\n
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  1. What is a vowel sign called in Nepali?<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Can a vowel sign stand alone?<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. What sound does \u0915 have by itself?<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. What is the vowel sign for \u0906 (\u0101<\/em>)?<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. What is the vowel sign for \u0907 (i<\/em>)?<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. How do you read \u0915\u093f?<\/li>\r\n \t
  7. Why is \u0915\u093f read as ki<\/em> and not ik<\/em>?<\/li>\r\n \t
  8. What does \u0915\u093e mean in transliteration?<\/li>\r\n \t
  9. What does \u0915\u0941 mean in transliteration?<\/li>\r\n \t
  10. How does a vowel sign change the sound of a consonant?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Self Reflection<\/h2>\r\n[h5p id=\"30\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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    Key Takeaways<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

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