GoSanskrit

Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide

Introduction to Sanskrit Pronunciation

Sanskrit pronunciation is precise and systematic. Each sound has a specific way of being produced, making it one of the most phonetically accurate languages in the world.

Vowels (स्वर - svara)

Short Vowels

  • अ (a) - like 'a' in 'father'
  • इ (i) - like 'i' in 'bit'
  • उ (u) - like 'u' in 'put'
  • ऋ (ṛ) - like 'ri' in 'river'

Long Vowels

  • आ (ā) - like 'a' in 'father' but longer
  • ई (ī) - like 'ee' in 'see'
  • ऊ (ū) - like 'oo' in 'moon'
  • ॠ (ṝ) - like 'ri' but longer

Consonants (व्यंजन - vyañjana)

Guttural Series (क-वर्ग)

  • क (ka) - like 'k' in 'kite'
  • ख (kha) - like 'k' but with strong breath
  • ग (ga) - like 'g' in 'go'
  • घ (gha) - like 'g' but with strong breath
  • ङ (ṅa) - like 'ng' in 'sing'

Palatal Series (च-वर्ग)

  • च (ca) - like 'ch' in 'church'
  • छ (cha) - like 'ch' but with strong breath
  • ज (ja) - like 'j' in 'jam'
  • झ (jha) - like 'j' but with strong breath
  • ञ (ña) - like 'ny' in 'canyon'

Retroflex Consonants

Retroflex consonants are pronounced with the tongue curled back. These are unique to Sanskrit and other Indian languages.

  • ट (ṭa) - like 't' but with tongue curled back
  • ठ (ṭha) - like 'ṭ' but with strong breath
  • ड (ḍa) - like 'd' but with tongue curled back
  • ढ (ḍha) - like 'ḍ' but with strong breath
  • ण (ṇa) - like 'n' but with tongue curled back

Common Sanskrit Words

Greetings

  • नमस्ते (namaste) - Hello/Greetings
  • स्वागतम् (svāgatam) - Welcome
  • धन्यवाद (dhanyavāda) - Thank you

Common Terms

  • शुभम् (śubham) - Good/Fortunate
  • सत्यम् (satyam) - Truth
  • ज्ञानम् (jñānam) - Knowledge

Pronunciation Tips

  1. Vowels are always pronounced clearly - each vowel has a distinct sound
  2. Consonants are always followed by 'a' unless specified otherwise
  3. Aspirated consonants (kh, gh, ch, jh, etc.) have a strong breath
  4. Retroflex consonants (ṭ, ṭh, ḍ, ḍh, ṇ) are pronounced with the tongue curled back
  5. Nasal consonants (ṃ, ñ, ṇ, n, m) are pronounced through the nose

Practice Exercises

Practice these common Sanskrit words to improve your pronunciation:

  • ॐ (om) - The sacred syllable
  • मन्त्र (mantra) - Sacred formula
  • योग (yoga) - Union/Discipline
  • कर्म (karma) - Action/Deed
  • धर्म (dharma) - Duty/Law