Modern Hindi Grammar - Indian Institute of Language Studies (IILS)

2. PHONOLOGY

Nasal Vowels

Nasalization is phonemic in Hindi. All the vowels can be nasalized.

/ĩ/ [Mca ĩc inch
ipMjara pĩjra: cage
/ĩ:/ [IMT ĩ:t brick
saIMcanaa sĩ:cna: to irrigate
nahIM nahĩ: no
/ẽ/ BaoMT bhẽt meeting
maoM mẽ in
/ã/ MAÐgaUza ãgu:tha: thumb
zMD thãd cold
/ã:/ AaMÐgana ã:gan courtyard
maaÐga mã:g demand
maaÐ mã: mother
/ũ/ ]MÐsa ũs ounce
mauMÐh mũh face
/ũ:/ }ÐT ũ:t camel
saUMÐGanaa sũ:ghna: to smell
jaUMÐ jũ: louse
/õ/ AaoMz õth lip
gaaoMd gõd gum
sarsaaoM sarsõ mustard
/ ́~/ eoMznaa ́~thna: to tighten

BaOMsa bh ́~s buffalo

maOM m ́~ I

/ø~/ AaOMQaa ø~dha: upside down

caaOMtIsa cø~ti:s thiry-four

BaaOM bhø~ eyebrow

2.1.2.2. Consonants

Consonants are classified into different groups on the basis of their
manner and place of articulation. Examples of phonemic
consonantal segments of Hindi are presented in minimal or near
minimal pairs. Non-phonemic phonetic segments are also
exemplified. The examples given below represent their phonetic
transcription.