{"id":12141,"date":"2026-05-07T22:31:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T02:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepalitestv1\/?post_type=chapter&p=12141"},"modified":"2026-05-08T13:16:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T17:16:57","slug":"chapter-1-unit-1-devanagari-script","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nepalitestv1\/chapter\/chapter-1-unit-1-devanagari-script\/","title":{"raw":"Unit 1 \u2014 Devan\u0101gar\u012b Script","rendered":"Unit 1 \u2014 Devan\u0101gar\u012b Script"},"content":{"raw":"
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\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_56\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"843\"]\"Nepali Nepali alphabets[\/caption]\r\n

What Is devan\u0101gar\u012b<\/em>?<\/span><\/h1>\r\n

1. Overview<\/h2>\r\n

devan\u0101gar\u012b<\/em> is the script used to write Nepali.<\/p>\r\n

In this unit, you will learn the basic parts of the script and begin reading Nepali in small written units called [pb_glossary id=\"7989\"]ak\u1e63ara[\/pb_glossary], or syllable blocks.<\/p>\r\n

Nepali writing is built from four main elements:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n \t
  1. consonants<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. vowels<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. vowel signs<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. conjuncts, or consonant clusters<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    These elements combine to form the ak\u1e63ara<\/em> used in words and sentences.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    2. Consonants<\/h2>\r\n

    Consonants are the main letters in Nepali.<\/p>\r\n

    A key feature of Nepali orthography is that each consonant letter carries an inherent vowel sound, a<\/em>. This vowel is already built into the consonant, so it has no separate visible form and does not need a vowel sign or diacritic.<\/p>\r\n

    For example:<\/p>\r\n

    \u0915 = ka<\/em>, not just k<\/em><\/p>\r\n

    When this built-in a<\/em> sound is removed, the consonant is sometimes called a bare consonant. In devan\u0101gar\u012b<\/em>, this is shown with the [pb_glossary id=\"7993\"]halanta[\/pb_glossary] mark \u094d.<\/p>\r\n

    \u0915\u094d = k<\/em><\/p>\r\n

    Examples:<\/p>\r\n

    \u0915 = ka<\/em>
    \u0916 = kha<\/em>
    \u0917 = ga<\/em>
    \u0918 = gha<\/em>
    \u0919 = \u1e45a<\/em><\/p>\r\n

    However, when a consonant combines with a vowel sign, something important happens: the inherent a<\/em> sound is replaced by another vowel sound. Notice how the vowel signs, or diacritics, change the sound of the consonant in Nepali script.<\/p>\r\n

    For example:<\/p>\r\n

    \u0915 = ka<\/em>
    \u0915\u093e = k\u0101<\/em>
    \u0915\u093f = ki<\/em>
    \u0915\u0941 = ku<\/em>
    \u0915\u0947 = ke<\/em>
    \u0915\u094b = ko<\/em><\/p>\r\n

    Consonants can also combine with other consonants to form conjuncts, which you will study in detail in Unit 6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    3. Vowels and Vowel Signs<\/h2>\r\n

    [pb_glossary id=\"XXXX\"]\u0938\u094d\u0935\u0930[\/pb_glossary] (swara<\/em>) means a vowel sound in Nepali. In Nepali orthography, vowel sounds are written in two main ways:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n \t
    1. as independent vowel letters, when the ak\u1e63ara<\/em> begins with a vowel<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. as vowel signs attached to consonants, when the vowel comes after a consonant<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

      3.1 Independent Vowels<\/h3>\r\n

      Independent vowels are used when an ak\u1e63ara<\/em> begins with a vowel.<\/p>\r\n

      Examples:<\/p>\r\n

      \u0905 = a<\/em>
      \u0906 = \u0101<\/em>
      \u0907 = i<\/em>
      \u0908 = \u012b<\/em>
      \u0909 = u<\/em>
      \u090a = \u016b<\/em>
      \u090f = e<\/em>
      \u0910 = ai<\/em>
      \u0913 = o<\/em>
      \u0914 = au<\/em><\/p>\r\n

      These vowels stand on their own. They do not need to attach to a consonant.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      3.2 Vowel Signs<\/h3>\r\n

      Vowel signs are used when a vowel sound comes after a consonant. They attach to the consonant and replace the consonant\u2019s built-in a<\/em> sound.<\/p>\r\n

      Examples of vowel signs include:<\/p>\r\n

      \u093e = \u0101<\/em>
      \u093f = i<\/em>
      \u0940 = \u012b<\/em>
      \u0941 = u<\/em>
      \u0942 = \u016b<\/em>
      \u0947 = e<\/em>
      \u0948 = ai<\/em>
      \u094b = o<\/em>
      \u094c = au<\/em><\/p>\r\n

      For example, with the consonant \u0915:<\/p>\r\n

      \u0915 = ka<\/em>
      \u0915\u093e = k\u0101<\/em>
      \u0915\u093f = ki<\/em>
      \u0915\u0940 = k\u012b<\/em>
      \u0915\u0941 = ku<\/em>
      \u0915\u0942 = k\u016b<\/em>
      \u0915\u0947 = ke<\/em>
      \u0915\u0948 = kai<\/em>
      \u0915\u094b = ko<\/em>
      \u0915\u094c = kau<\/em><\/p>\r\n

      In each example, the base consonant \u0915 remains the same, but the attached vowel sign changes the vowel sound.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      4. Conjuncts<\/h2>\r\n

      Sometimes two consonants occur together with no vowel between them. These form a conjunct, or consonant cluster, written as a single combined shape inside one ak\u1e63ara<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n

      Examples:<\/p>\r\n

      \u0915\u094d + \u0924 \u2192 \u0915\u094d\u0924 = kta<\/em>
      \u0938\u094d + \u0924 \u2192 \u0938\u094d\u0924 = sta<\/em>
      \u092a\u094d + \u0930 \u2192 \u092a\u094d\u0930 = pra<\/em>
      \u0917\u094d + \u092f \u2192 \u0917\u094d\u092f = gya<\/em><\/p>\r\n

      You will learn how conjuncts are formed and written in Unit 6. For now, treat each conjunct as one reading unit, or one ak\u1e63ara<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      4.1 Common Conjuncts<\/h3>\r\n

      \u0915\u094d\u0937 = k\u1e63a<\/em>
      \u0924\u094d\u0930 = tra<\/em>
      \u091c\u094d\u091e = j\u00f1a<\/em>, often pronounced close to gya<\/em> in modern Nepali<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      5. Common Writing Features<\/h2>\r\n

      devan\u0101gar\u012b<\/em> also uses several important writing features and marks. You will see these often when reading Nepali.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      5.1 \u0936\u093f\u0930\u094b\u0930\u0947\u0916\u093e \u2014 [pb_glossary id=\"7970\"]\u015birorekh\u0101[\/pb_glossary]<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

      Many devan\u0101gar\u012b<\/em> letters include a horizontal top line called the \u0936\u093f\u0930\u094b\u0930\u0947\u0916\u093e \u2014 \u015birorekh\u0101<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n

      When letters form a word, this line usually connects across the ak\u1e63ara<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n

      Example:<\/p>\r\n

      \u0928\u0947\u092a\u093e\u0932\u0940 = nep\u0101l\u012b<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n

      5.2 \u0939\u0932\u0928\u094d\u0924 \u094d \u2014 [pb_glossary id=\"7993\"]halanta[\/pb_glossary]<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

      The \u0939\u0932\u0928\u094d\u0924 \u094d \u2014 halanta<\/em> removes the built-in a<\/em> vowel from a consonant.<\/p>\r\n

      \u0915 = ka<\/em>
      \u0915\u094d = k<\/em><\/p>\r\n

      It also helps form conjuncts by allowing one consonant to join another.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      5.3 \u091a\u0928\u094d\u0926\u094d\u0930\u092c\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0941 \u0901 \u2014 [pb_glossary id=\"8008\"]candrabindu[\/pb_glossary]<\/h3>\r\n

      The \u091a\u0928\u094d\u0926\u094d\u0930\u092c\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0941 \u0901 marks nasalization.<\/p>\r\n

      Example:<\/p>\r\n

      \u0906\u0901\u0916\u093e = \u0101\u0303kh\u0101<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n

      5.4 \u092c\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0941 \u0902 \u2014 [pb_glossary id=\"8006\"]bindu[\/pb_glossary]<\/h3>\r\n

      The \u092c\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0941 \u0902 marks a nasal sound.<\/p>\r\n

      Example:<\/p>\r\n

      \u0917\u0902\u0917\u093e = ga\u1e45g\u0101<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n

      5.5 \u092a\u0942\u0930\u094d\u0923 \u0935\u093f\u0930\u093e\u092e \u0964 \u2014 [pb_glossary id=\"10642\"]p\u016br\u1e47a wir\u0101m[\/pb_glossary]<\/h3>\r\n

      The \u092a\u0942\u0930\u094d\u0923 \u0935\u093f\u0930\u093e\u092e \u0964 marks the end of a sentence.<\/p>\r\n

      Example:<\/p>\r\n

      \u092f\u094b \u0915\u093f\u0924\u093e\u092c \u0939\u094b\u0964 = yo kit\u0101b ho.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n

      5.6 \u0935\u093f\u0938\u0930\u094d\u0917 \u0903 \u2014 [pb_glossary id=\"12131\"]wisarga[\/pb_glossary]<\/h3>\r\n

      The \u0935\u093f\u0938\u0930\u094d\u0917 \u0903 adds a light, breathy sound after a vowel. It appears mainly in Sanskrit-based or formal vocabulary.<\/p>\r\n

      Example:<\/p>\r\n

      \u0926\u0941\u0903\u0916 = du\u1e25kha<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n

      6. ak\u1e63ara<\/em> \u2014 The Basic Reading Unit<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

      Nepali is read in ak\u1e63ara<\/em>, or syllable blocks.<\/p>\r\n

      Each ak\u1e63ara<\/em> contains:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        \r\n \t
      1. one vowel element<\/li>\r\n \t
      2. one or more consonants, including conjuncts<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

        For beginners, it is helpful to read Nepali one ak\u1e63ara<\/em> at a time, not letter by letter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        7. How Vowels Appear in an ak\u1e63ara<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

        A vowel can appear in an ak\u1e63ara<\/em> in several ways.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        7.1 Built-in Vowel<\/h3>\r\n

        \u0915 = ka<\/em><\/p>\r\n

        Here, the vowel a<\/em> is built into the consonant \u0915.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        7.2 Vowel Sign<\/h3>\r\n

        \u0915\u093f = ki<\/em>
        \u0915\u0941 = ku<\/em>
        \u0915\u094b = ko<\/em><\/p>\r\n

        Here, the vowel sign replaces the built-in a<\/em> sound.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        7.3 Independent Vowel<\/h3>\r\n

        \u0905 = a<\/em><\/p>\r\n

        Here, the ak\u1e63ara<\/em> begins with an independent vowel.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        7.4 No Vowel with halanta<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        \u0915\u094d = k<\/em><\/p>\r\n

        Here, the halanta<\/em> removes the built-in a<\/em> sound.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        8. Conjuncts Inside an ak\u1e63ara<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

        An ak\u1e63ara<\/em> can include a conjunct.<\/p>\r\n

        \u0915\u094d\u0924 = kta<\/em>
        one ak\u1e63ara<\/em><\/p>\r\n

        Example:<\/p>\r\n

        \u0930\u0915\u094d\u0924 = rakta<\/em>
        \u2192 \u0930 ra<\/em> + \u0915\u094d\u0924 kta<\/em><\/p>\r\n

        In this word, \u0915\u094d\u0924 is read as one ak\u1e63ara<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        9. One ak\u1e63ara<\/em> vs. Multiple ak\u1e63ara<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

        9.1 One ak\u1e63ara<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        \u0915
        \u0915\u093f
        \u0915\u094b
        \u0915\u094d\u0924<\/p>\r\n\r\n

        9.2 Multiple ak\u1e63ara<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        \u0930\u0915\u094d\u0924
        \u2192 \u0930 + \u0915\u094d\u0924<\/p>\r\n

        Beginner focus:<\/p>\r\n

        Read Nepali one ak\u1e63ara<\/em> at a time, not letter by letter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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        10. Check Your Understanding<\/h2>\r\n

        [h5p id=\"20\"]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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        [h5p id=\"21\"]<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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        11. Self Reflection<\/h2>\r\n

        [h5p id=\"569\"]<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\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

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        Key Takeaways<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

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