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

2. PHONOLOGY

Nasals

There are bilabial, alveolar, and velar nasals. The velar nasal occurs
in medial and final positions only.

/m/ (voiced bilabial nasal):
maaqaa ma:tha: forehead
kmara kamra: room
Aarama a:ra:m rest
/n/ (voiced alveolar nasal):
naak na:k nose
laanaa la:na: to bring
Qaana dha:n paddy
/n/ (voiced retroflex nasal)
ANau anu atom
p`aNa pra:n life
/η/ (voiced velar nasal):
rMganaa raηna: to dye
rMga raη color

Trill

There is a voiced alveolar trill which occurs in all positions.

/r/ (voiced alveolar trill):
rssaI rassi: rope
nama- narm soft
tar ta:r wire

Flaps

/r/ (voiced unaspirated retroflex flap):
saD,k sarak road
BaID, bhi:r crowd
/rh/ (voiced aspirated retroflex flap):
pZ,naa parhna: to read
QaaZ, dha:rh jaw