Hindi/Pronunciation

One of the biggest challenges for a native English speaker when learning Hindi is the pronunciation.

Hindi Consonant Sounds

Velar - from the soft palate, where the mouth becomes the throat

Ka-क, Kha-ख, ga-ग, gha-घ, nga-ङ

Palatal - from the hard palate

cha-च, chha-छ, ja-ज, jha-झ, ña-ञ

Retroflex - from the point where the palate joins the teeth

ta-ट, tha-ठ, da-ड, dha-ढ, Na-ण, Ra-ड़ (retroflex “flap”), Rha-ढ़ (aspirated retroflex “flap”)

Dental - from the teeth

ta-त, tha-थ, da-द, dha-ध, na-न

Labial - from the lips

pa-प, pha-फ, ba-ब, bha-भ, ma-म

Liquids, semivowels

ya-य, ra र, la ल, va व, sha श, shha ष, sa स, ha-ह

Borrowed letters: za-ज़, fa-फ़, zha-श़