Table of Contents

Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide

The following table deals with some of the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet that may need extra attention especially for Westerners.

a apparent au outside
ā mama c chaste
i ink ṅ sing
ī email ñ bungee cord
u full ṇ bandana *
ū pool ṁ dim (actually more complicated than this but it will do for now)
ṛ rhythm * ś sure
e play ṣ shun *
ai aisle ḍ drum *
o ocean ṭ true *

* These sounds are all produced with the tongue at the roof of the mouth

Consonants followed by an “h” such as “gh” or “bh” are pronounced with more “air”.
Table of Contents