Table 1.2.1 – Nepali vowels: letters, transliteration, and pronunciation guide
This table lists the 11 core independent Nepali vowel letters, with transliteration and pronunciation notes. Each vowel can stand alone as a complete akṣara.
Chapter 1 – Script and Pronunciation
Unit 2 — Vowel Letters
Overview
Vowels are the foundation of Devanāgarī script. In Nepali, there are eleven main vowel letters, and each one functions as a complete akṣara (syllable unit) on its own. For example, अ = a, इ = i, and ओ = o.
Each vowel letter can also appear in a second form called a vowel sign (mātrā), which attaches to consonants. However, in this unit, we focus only on the independent vowel letters—the full forms that can stand alone.
You will learn vowel signs (mātrā) in Unit 3.
Independent Vowel Letters
In Devanāgarī, each independent vowel letter is a self-contained akṣara. This means it does not require a consonant and already carries a complete vowel sound.
For example:
- आमा (āmā) → आ is one akṣara
- ओम (om) → ओ is one akṣara
- ऐना (ainā) → ऐ is one akṣara
This differs from English, where vowels function as letters within words rather than independent syllable blocks.
Independent vowels commonly appear:
- at the beginning of words
- after consonant clusters
- in borrowed or modern vocabulary
Examples
- आमा (āmā, “mother”)
- ओठ (oṭh, “lip”)
- ज्ञानी (jñānī, “wise”)
- त्रिशूली (triśūlī, place name)
- आईसीयू (āīsīyū, “ICU”)
| Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation note | Audio |
| अ | a | short “a,” like a in ago |
|
| आ | ā | long “aa,” like a in father |
|
| इ | i | short “i,” like i in bit |
|
| ई | ī | long “ee,” like ee in see |
|
| उ | u | short “u,” like u in put |
|
| ऊ | ū | long “oo,” like oo in food |
|
| ऋ | ṛ | like ri in riddle, but shorter and more central |
|
| ए | e | Spanish e; like “ay,” in they without a glide |
|
| ऐ | ai | like eye (diphthong) |
|
| ओ | o | like “o” in go without a glide |
|
| औ | au | like “ow” in cow (diphthong) |
|
Short and Long Vowel Letters
Nepali distinguishes short and long forms in writing for इ/ई (i/ī) and उ/ऊ (u/ū).
- इ (i) → ई (ī)
- उ (u) → ऊ (ū)
However, in modern spoken Nepali, this length distinction is not consistently maintained. Both forms are generally pronounced the same in everyday speech.
Examples
- इन्द्र (indra)
- ईश्वर (īśwar, “God”)
- उठ (uṭha, “rise!”)
- ऊन (ūn, “wool”)
Key idea
In speaking, focus on correct pronunciation patterns, not vowel length.
Nasalized Vowels
Nepali vowels can also be nasalized, meaning the sound is produced with airflow through the nose. Nasalization can change word meaning.
In transliteration, nasalization is marked using a tilde ( ̃ ), for example: ā̃
Examples
- आँखा (ā̃khā, “eyes”)
- छाँया (chā̃yā, “shadow”)
Key idea
Nasalization is a phonetic feature, not just a spelling detail. Listen for a soft resonance through the nose.
Watch and Practice
Let’s watch this short video (about 1 minute long) created by Limitless Language to learn and practise how to write Nepali vowels:
Let’s watch this short video (about 5 minute long) created by El Santos Teaches to learn and practise how to pronounce Nepali vowels (even though it was designed for Hindi):
Check Your Understanding
Memory Game: Match the Nepali vowel to its Transliteration
Self Reflection
Key Takeaways
- Nepali has 11 independent vowel letters
- Each vowel is a complete akṣara (syllable unit)
- Vowel signs (mātrā) will be introduced in Unit 3
- Short and long vowel distinctions exist in writing but are weak in speech
- Nasalization is an important phonetic feature in Nepali
- Mastery of vowels is essential for reading and decoding Nepali words
definition
akṣara means a syllabic writing unit in devanagari—typically a vowel (अ) or a consonant with its vowel (क = ka), and it can include vowel sign (mātrā) (कि, का) or conjuncts (क्त, स्त) as one written unit.
