Devanāgarī script: learn to read and write

Devanāgarī is sound made visible. It represents the pronunciation of Saṃskṛt with precision, and the act of reading and writing can become a meditation in itself.

In Devanāgarī script, upper and lower cases do not exist. In turn, though, Devanāgarī precisely reflects pronunciation. Below, you will find an explanation of the lines of individual letters.

In Devanāgarī script, we write from left to right and from top to bottom. As a last step, the letters are attached to a horizontal line above them. Even when we write an entire word, this horizontal line is drawn over the complete word.

Continue with AYI Free

Practise Devanāgarī through play

Short vowels

Vowels are the best starting point when you want to learn the Devanāgarī script. Here, you will learn how to write or draw those artful letters.

Long vowels

The letters shown above stand for short vowels. For long vowels, the respective letters are extended.

Umlauts and vowel modifications

Diphtongs (umlauts or vowel mutations) are combinations of the basic vowels a, i and u. In this case, an a or ā is put in front of an i or u.

Guttural plosives

These are plosive consonants, which are formed gutturally (i.e. in the throat).

Palatal plosives

These are plosive consonants which are formed palatally, i.e. as the word indicates at the palate.

Retroflex plosives

These are plosive consonants which are formed in a retroflex way (i.e. with the tongue rolled back).

Dental plosives

These are plosive consonants which are produced dentally (i.e. at the teeth).

Labial plosives

These are plosive consonants which are produced labially (i.e. at the lips).

Semivowels

Half vowel, half consonant. Although semivowels are not produced with pressure of plosive sounds, they also do not form independent syllables in the way vowels do.

Fricatives

Sibilants and aspirates which are produced by a close contact at the place of articulation and the resulting friction.

Ligatures

When several consonants follow each other, they are linked to form one single letter. Even though these links appear quite artful and can differ from handwriting to handwriting...

Figures

Of course, there are also figures in Devanāgarī script. Learn here how to read and write them.

Downloads

PDF files to learn Devanāgarī, the classic Saṃskṛt script. Have fun practicing!

Learn Devanāgarī by matching letters and transliteration

Learn to read Devanāgarī by matching its characters with Latin transliteration. Choose a group of characters and practise in short rounds.