Nepali, the official language of Nepal and a lingua franca in various parts of the Himalayan region, is written in the Devanagari script. This script is also used for several other Indian languages, including Hindi and Sanskrit. Learning the Nepali alphabet involves understanding the unique phonetic characteristics and the structure of the Devanagari script.

Overview of the Nepali Alphabet

• Script Type: Devanagari
• Number of Letters: 48 (12 vowels and 36 consonants)
• Unique Features: The script includes characters for vowels, consonants, and combination characters for vowel sounds attached to consonants.

Detailed Breakdown of the Nepali Alphabet

Vowels (स्वर / Swar)

Nepali has 12 vowels, each with an independent and diacritic form. The independent form is used at the beginning of words, while the diacritic form modifies consonants.

1. अ (a)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “about.”
   • Example Word: “अनुराधा” (Anurādhā) – meaning “A star”

2. आ (ā)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “father.”
   • Example Word: “आमा” (Āmā) – meaning “Mother”

3. इ (i)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘i’ in “pin.”
   • Example Word: “इश्वर” (Ishwar) – meaning “God”

4. ई (ī)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ee’ in “see.”
   • Example Word: “ईश्वरी” (Īshwarī) – meaning “Goddess”

5. उ (u)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘u’ in “put.”
   • Example Word: “उत्तर” (Uttar) – meaning “North”

6. ऊ (ū)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘oo’ in “food.”
   • Example Word: “ऊर्जा” (Ūrjā) – meaning “Energy”

7. ए (e)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘e’ in “they.”
   • Example Word: “एकता” (Ektā) – meaning “Unity”

8. ऐ (ai)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘i’ in “ice.”
   • Example Word: “ऐतिहासिक” (Aitihāsik) – meaning “Historical”

9. ओ (o)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘o’ in “note.”
   • Example Word: “ओखल” (Okhal) – meaning “Mortar”

10. औ (au)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ow’ in “cow.”
    • Example Word: “औषधि” (Auṣadhi) – meaning “Medicine”

11. अं (aṁ)

    • Pronunciation: Nasalized ‘an.’
    • Example Word: “अंक” (Aṁka) – meaning “Number”

12. अः (ah)

    • Pronunciation: Similar to ‘a’ in “America,” with a breathy voice at the end.
    • Example Word: “अः” (Ah) – a standalone exclamation

Consonants (व्यंजन / Vyanjan)

Nepali has 36 consonants, each representing a unique sound. They are categorized based on their place and mode of articulation.

1. क (ka)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘k’ in “kite.”
   • Example Word: “काठ” (kāṭh) – meaning “Wood”

2. ख (kha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘k,’ like ‘k’ in “khan.”
   • Example Word: “खुकुरी” (khukurī) – meaning “Knife”

3. ग (ga)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘g’ in “go.”
   • Example Word: “गाई” (gā’ī) – meaning “Cow”

4. घ (gha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘g,’ like ‘g’ in “ghost.”
   • Example Word: “घर” (ghar) – meaning “House”

5. ङ (ṅa)

   • Pronunciation: Nasal sound, like ‘ng’ in “sing.”
   • Example Word: “ङम्च्या” (ṅamchyā) – a name

6. च (ca)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ch’ in “church.”
   • Example Word: “चरा” (carā) – meaning “Bird”

7. छ (cha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘ch,’ like ‘ch’ in “churn.”
   • Example Word: “छाया” (chāyā) – meaning “Shadow”

8. ज (ja)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘j’ in “jug.”
   • Example Word: “जहाज” (jahāj) – meaning “Ship”

9. झ (jha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘j,’ like ‘j’ in “joy” with a puff of air.
   • Example Word: “झरना” (jharnā) – meaning “Waterfall”

10. ञ (ña)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ny’ in “canyon.”
    • Example Word: “ञाप” (ñāp) – meaning “Check”

11. ट (ṭa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex, like ‘t’ in “top” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “टमाटर” (ṭamāṭar) – meaning “Tomato”

12. ठ (ṭha)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex and aspirated, like ‘t’ in “tophat.”
    • Example Word: “ठूलो” (ṭhūlo) – meaning “Big”

13. ड (ḍa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex, like ‘d’ in “dark” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “डाक्टर” (ḍākṭar) – meaning “Doctor”

14. ढ (ḍha)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex and aspirated, like ‘dh’ in “adhere.”
    • Example Word: “ढोका” (ḍhokā) – meaning “Door”

15. ण (ṇa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex nasal, like ‘n’ in “canyon” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “पण” (paṇ) – meaning “Also”

16. त (ta)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “take.”
    • Example Word: “तारा” (tārā) – meaning “Star”

17. थ (tha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘t,’ like ‘th’ in “thanks.”
    • Example Word: “थापा” (thāpā) – a surname

18. द (da)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘d’ in “dog.”
    • Example Word: “दान” (dān) – meaning “Donation”

19. ध (dha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘d,’ like ‘dh’ in “adhere.”
    • Example Word: “धर्ती” (dhartī) – meaning “Earth”

20. न (na)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “nice.”
    • Example Word: “नदी” (nadī) – meaning “River”

21. प (pa)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘p’ in “pot.”
    • Example Word: “पानी” (pānī) – meaning “Water”

22. फ (pha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘p,’ like ‘ph’ in “uphill.”
    • Example Word: “फूल” (phūl) – meaning “Flower”

23. ब (ba)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘b’ in “bat.”
    • Example Word: “बाटो” (bāṭo) – meaning “Path”

24. भ (bha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘b,’ like ‘bh’ in “abhor.”
    • Example Word: “भाषा” (bhāṣā) – meaning “Language”

25. म (ma)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘m’ in “man.”
    • Example Word: “मान्छे” (mānche) – meaning “Human”

26. य (ya)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘y’ in “yes.”
    • Example Word: “यात्रा” (yātrā) – meaning “Journey”

27. र (ra)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘r’ in “run.”
    • Example Word: “रुख” (rukh) – meaning “Tree”

28. ल (la)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘l’ in “love.”
    • Example Word: “लालटीन” (lālṭīn) – meaning “Lantern”

29. व (va)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘v’ in “van.”
    • Example Word: “विद्यालय” (vidyālaya) – meaning “School”

30. श (śa)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘sh’ in “shun.”
    • Example Word: “शान्ति” (śānti) – meaning “Peace”

31. ष (ṣa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex ‘sh,’ pronounced with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “षड्कोण” (ṣaḍkoṇ) – meaning “Hexagon”

32. स (sa)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
    • Example Word: “सागर” (sāgar) – meaning “Ocean”

33. ह (ha)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hat.”
    • Example Word: “हात” (hāt) – meaning “Hand”

34. क्ष (kṣa)

    • Pronunciation: Combination of ‘k’ and ‘sh.’
    • Example Word: “क्षेत्र” (kṣetra) – meaning “Field”

35. त्र (tra)

    • Pronunciation: Combination of ‘t’ and ‘ra.’
    • Example Word: “त्रिकोण” (trikoṇ) – meaning “Triangle”

36. ज्ञ (jña)

    • Pronunciation: Combination of ‘j’ and ‘ña.’
    • Example Word: “ज्ञान” (jñān) – meaning “Knowledge”

Pronunciation Tips

• Nasal Sounds: Nasal consonants are significant in Nepali and are marked with a ‘chandrabindu’ or ‘anusvara’.
• Consonant Clusters: Consonant clusters (जोडाक्षर / joḍākṣar) are common and can change the sound of the individual consonants.
• Vowel Length: The length of vowels can alter the meaning of words, so it’s important to distinguish between short and long vowels.

Practice Exercises

• Listening and Speaking: Practice pronouncing words and phrases aloud. Listening to native speakers is crucial.
• Writing Practice: Write down each letter and practice forming words.
• Reading Practice: Start with simple texts, like children’s books or news articles, to see these letters in context.

Additional Resources

• Language Learning Apps: Look for apps that offer Nepali language courses.
• Online Tutorials: Websites and YouTube channels often provide lessons in Nepali.
• Language Exchange: Engage with native speakers for conversational practice.

Conclusion

Understanding the Nepali alphabet is essential for reading, writing, and speaking in Nepali. Regular practice in all aspects of the language is key to gaining proficiency. The Nepali script is not just a set of symbols but a gateway to the rich culture and history of Nepal.