Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide

a   

ā

i

ī

u

ū

ḥ

k, kh, g, gh, ṅ

c   ch   j    jh    ñ

ṭ   ṭh   ḍ   ḍh    ṇ

t   th   d   dh   n

p   ph  b   bh   m

short - pronounced like ‘u’ in hut

long - pronounced like ‘a’ in ah

short - pronounced like ‘i’ in in


long - pronounced like ‘ee’ in see

short - pronounced like ‘u’ in pull

long - pronounced like ‘u’ in dude

a soft echo of the preceding vowel, like ‘aha’

gutturals, arising from the throat

palatals, arising from the back of the palate

cerebrals, with tongue touching the roof of the mouth

dentals, with tongue touching the back of the teeth

labials, arising from the lips