Hindi Consonants:

There are total 34 consonants. Lot of Hindi consonants make same sounds as English consonants. But there are a few completely new sounds in Hindi that are not present in English language. To learn these new sounds, it will require practice and patience. It may seem difficult in the beginning, but it will be well worth in the end. One thing to notice is that all consonants have “अ(a)” sound inherently in them at the end. Try this: make a sound of “C (क)” in car. You will notice that in the end there is a sound of “A (अ)” as in around.

CONSONANTS AND THEIR PRONUNCIATIONS IN ENGLISH:

I have tried my best to give examples in English as close as possible but there are certain sounds which are not used in English language therefore no words are available for examples.

When practicing these sounds know the difference between an aspirated and unaspirated sound. Aspirated sounds are one that release a puff of air when pronouncing them. Unaspirated sound do not release air. You can put your palm in front of your mouth when practicing these sounds and notice the difference in sounds based on air movement.

Example:

• spin – no air felt on hand
• Pin – feel the puff of air on the hand

Also know the difference between voiced and unvoiced consonants. Voiced consonants are those which are pronounced using our vocal cords. Unvoiced consonants are pronounced by not using vocal cords. You can keep your hand on your throat over the vocal cords and feel the vibration with voiced sounds or no vibration with unvoiced sounds.

Example : Notice the difference between B and P. Keep the hand on your throat while saying then alternately. B is a voiced consonant and P is an unvoiced consonant.

Table of Hindi consonants

• क  ख    ग    घ   ङ
• ka kha  ga  gha  ṅa
• च  छ    ज   झ   ञ
• ca cha  ja  jha  ña
• ट  ठ       ड   ढ    ण
• ṭa ṭha  ḍa  ḍha  ṇa
• त    थ     द     ध     न
• ta tha  da   dha  na
• प   फ     ब     भ    म
• pa pha  ba  bha  ma
• य  र   ल   व
• ya ra   la   va
• श   ष     स    ह
• sha ṣha sa    ha
• क्ष  त्र      ज्ञ
• Ksh tra   gya

ASPIRATED consonants:

• ख [kha] makes sound of “kh” as in Khaki
• घ [gha] makes sound “gh” in Shanghai.
• छ [cha] makes sound of “ch” in choo choo train
• झ [jha] makes sound of “dge”  in hedgehog
• ठ [th] makes sound of “t” in tight.
• ढ [dh] makes sound “dh” in adhere.
• थ [tha] makes sound of “th” in thermos.
• ध [dha] makes sound of “dh” in dharma
• फ [pha] makes sound of “p” in push.
• भ [bha] makes sound of “bh” in abhor.
• श [sha] makes sound of “sh in shut.
• ष [sha] makes sound of “sh” in shut.

It occurs only in borrowed Sanskrit words in Hindi.

• ह [ha] makes sound of “h” in hurt
• क्ष [ksh] makes sound of “ictio” in friction.

UNASPIRATED consonants:

• क [ka] makes sound of “k” in skirt.
• ग [ga] makes sound of “g” in gum.
• ङ [nga] makes sound of “ong” in tongue.
• च [ca] makes sound of “ch” in church.
• ज [ja] makes sound of “j” in jug.
• ञ [nya] makes sound of “ina” pinata.
• ट [ta] makes sound of “t” in turf.
• ड [da] makes sound of “d” in dad.
• ण [ṇa] makes sound of “un” in grunt.
• त [ta] makes sound of “t” in pasta or “t” in Istanbul (city)
• द [da] makes sound of “th” in the or than
• न [na] makes sound “n” in nun.
• प [pa] makes sound of “p” in spit.
• ब [ba] makes sound of “b” in bus.
• म [ma] makes sound of “m” in mug.
• य [ya] makes sound of y” in yuck.
• र [ra] makes sound of “r” in run.
• ल [la] makes sound of “l” in luck.
• व [va] makes sound of “v in vent.
• स [sa] makes sound of “s” in sun