Look, we all know that Punjabi generally is a little bit of a problem for non-native audio system. These vowels and consonants may be tough to get your mouth round. So, when you’re severe about enhancing your Punjabi pronunciation, you’re in the proper place.
On this information, we’re going to interrupt down all the pieces you have to find out about Punjabi pronunciation. We’ll cowl the vowels, consonants, tones, and even the most typical errors non-native audio system make.
However we’re not simply going to speak about it; we’ll offer you some vocabulary that can assist you nail that pronunciation like a boss. Let’s get to it!
The Vowels In Punjabi Pronunciation
Punjabi vowels are fairly necessary to get proper if you wish to communicate the language correctly.
There are ten vowel sounds in Punjabi, that are divided into two classes: brief and lengthy.
The brief ones are “a,” “i,” “u,” “e,” and “o,” whereas the lengthy ones are “aa,” “ee,” “oo,” “ei,” and “au.”
Every of those sounds is exclusive and requires a unique mouth and tongue placement.
To make the proper sounds, it’s a must to place your mouth and tongue in the proper manner. Listed below are some suggestions that can assist you out:
Quick “a” sound: Open your mouth large and hold your tongue relaxed on the backside of your mouth with barely parted lips.
Quick “i” sound: Put your tongue towards the roof of your mouth and pull it again barely, with relaxed and barely open lips.
Quick “u” sound: Spherical your lips and produce them ahead whereas pushing your tongue barely ahead in your mouth.
Quick “e” sound: Preserve your tongue in the identical place because the brief “i” sound, however with barely extra open lips.
Quick “o” sound: Open your mouth large and spherical your lips.
Lengthy “aa” sound: Open your mouth large and push your tongue down and again in the direction of your throat.
Lengthy “ee” sound: Put your tongue towards the roof of your mouth and pull it again additional than for the brief “i” sound, with relaxed and barely open lips.
Lengthy “oo” sound: Spherical your lips and produce them ahead whereas pushing your tongue barely ahead in your mouth.
- Instance: sooja (straight)
Lengthy “ei” sound: Open your mouth large and pull your tongue again barely whereas additionally lifting the again of your tongue in the direction of the roof of your mouth.
Lengthy “au” sound: Spherical your lips and produce them ahead whereas pushing your tongue barely again and down in your mouth.
Ideas For Saying Punjabi Vowels
To essentially nail these Punjabi vowel sounds, it’s important to follow them persistently. Listed below are some workout routines that may assist:
- Mouth and tongue placement workout routines: Stand in entrance of a mirror and follow making every vowel sound. This can assist you to see how your mouth and tongue are transferring and make any essential changes.
- Exaggerate the sounds: Attempt exaggerating every sound to get a greater really feel for them. For instance, make the brief “a” sound as open and relaxed as potential or the lengthy “ee” sound as stretched out as you may.
- Use them in each day speech: One of the best ways to enhance your Punjabi accent is to follow talking as a lot as potential. Attempt incorporating Punjabi vowel sounds into your on a regular basis life, even when it’s only a phrase or two.

The Consonants In Punjabi Pronunciation
Let’s speak about Punjabi consonants and easy methods to grasp their correct pronunciation. Punjabi has 25 consonant sounds divided into three classes: voiceless, voiced, and aspirated.
Voiceless Consonants
Voiceless consonants, concerning their phonetic spelling, are pronounced with out the vibration of the vocal cords. Right here’s a extra detailed definition and clarification for them:
“okay”: That is made by closing the again of your tongue towards the taste bud behind your mouth. It’s like making the “c” sound in “cat,” however additional again in your mouth.
“kh”: This sound is just like the “okay” sound however with a stronger push of air. Your tongue ought to be additional again in your mouth, and your throat ought to be open.
- Instance: khushi (happiness)
“ch”: This sound is made by urgent your tongue towards the highest of your mouth and releasing it shortly. It’s like making the “t” sound in “prime” however additional ahead in your mouth.
“chh”: This sound is just like the “ch” sound however with a stronger push of air.
Voiced Consonants
Alternatively, voiced consonants are pronounced with the vibration of the vocal cords. The voiced consonants in Punjabi are:
“g”: This sound is made by closing the again of your tongue on the taste bud and vibrating your vocal cords. It’s like making the “g” sound in “go,” however additional again in your mouth.
“gh”: This sound is just like the “g” sound however with a stronger push of air.
“j”: This sound is made by putting your tongue towards the ceiling of your mouth and vibrating your vocal cords. It’s like making the “j” sound in “bounce,” however additional ahead in your mouth.
“jh”: This sound is just like the “j” sound however with a stronger push of air.
Aspirated Consonants
Aspirated consonants are pronounced with a stronger exhalation of breath. Under is a extra detailed clarification of aspirated consonants within the Punjabi language:
“p”: This sound is made by closing your lips and releasing them shortly. It’s like making the “p” sound in “pot,” however with a stronger puff of air.
Instance: pani (water)
“ph”: This sound is just like the “p” sound however with a stronger puff of air.
Instance: phul (flower)
“t”: This sound is made by putting your tongue towards the highest of your mouth and releasing it shortly. It’s like making the “t” sound in “prime,” however with a stronger puff of air.
Instance: tatti (scorching)
“th”: This sound is just like the “t” sound however with a stronger puff of air.
Instance: thana (police station)
Ideas For Saying Punjabi Consonants
To grasp Punjabi consonant sounds, it’s necessary to follow persistently. Listed below are some workout routines that may assist:
Breath management workout routines: Attempt inhaling deeply and slowly, then exhaling with power as you make every consonant sound. This can assist you to develop the energy and management wanted to make the sounds appropriately.
Lip motion workout routines: Follow transferring your lips into the right place for every consonant sound. For instance, for the “p” sound, your lips ought to be collectively and shortly launched.
Tongue placement workout routines: Follow putting your tongue appropriately for every consonant sound. For instance, for the “ch” sound, your tongue ought to be pressed towards the roof of your mouth and launched shortly.
It’s additionally useful to take heed to native Punjabi audio system and mimic their pronunciations.
You too can follow talking Punjabi phrases out loud and document your self to hear again and establish areas the place you have to enhance.

Tones In Punjabi Pronunciation
In Punjabi pronunciation, there are three fundamental tones: excessive, mid, and low. The tone of a phrase is determined by the pitch and intonation of the speaker.
For instance, if a speaker raises their pitch on the finish of a phrase, it turns into a excessive tone.
If the pitch stays the identical all through the phrase, it turns into a mid-tone. And if the pitch drops on the finish of the phrase, it turns into a low tone. Simple proper?
Now, let’s take a look at some examples of Punjabi-related phrases with every tone:
Excessive tone: (baal – hair), (paani – water), (kaagaz – paper)
Mid-tone: (tera – your), (Punjabi – Punjabi), (larka – boy)
Low tone: (ghar – home), (farsha – carpet), (taqriban – roughly)
Ideas For Saying Punjabi Tones
The hot button is to hear fastidiously and follow usually. Take note of the pitch and intonation of native Punjabi audio system, and attempt to imitate them.
It’s additionally useful to follow with a language companion or tutor who may give you suggestions and assist you to enhance.
One other tip is to make use of tone marks when studying Punjabi script. Tone marks are small symbols that point out the tone of every syllable.
By utilizing tone marks, you may prepare your ear to acknowledge totally different tones extra simply.
Frequent Punjabi Pronunciation Errors
In the event you’re an English speaker making an attempt to pronounce Punjabi phrases, there are a couple of frequent errors that you simply may make.
For starters, aspirated consonants like “p” and “t” may be tough since they contain slightly puff of air.
And people retroflex consonants like “ch” and “j”? Yeah, they’re pronounced with the tongue curled again, in order that takes some follow.
Don’t neglect about these nasal consonants like “n” and “m,” that are pronounced along with your nostril.
And final however not least, vowel sounds may be tough, too, since they’ll change relying on the phrase. However, with some follow and persistence, you’ll quickly get the cling of it!
Helpful Follow Punjabi Vocabulary
I’ve compiled a listing of helpful Punjabi phrases that may assist you to follow your pronunciation. These phrases have distinctive sounds that may assist you to get a really feel for the rhythm and intonation of the language.
English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
Howdy | ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ (sat sri akal) | saht sree a-kahl |
Thanks | ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (dhanvaad) | dhun-vaad |
Goodbye | ਅਲਵਿਦਾ (alvida) | al-vee-daa |
Water | ਪਾਣੀ (paani) | pa-nee |
Meals | ਖਾਣਾ (khaana) | khaa-naa |
Mom | ਮਾਂ (maa) | maa |
Father | ਪਿਤਾ (pita) | pi-taa |
Good friend | ਦੋਸਤ (dost) | dost |
Love | ਪਿਆਰ (pyaar) | piaar |
Sure | ਹਾਂ (haan) | haan |
I hope these Punjabi vocabulary phrases have helped you follow your pronunciation and higher perceive the Punjabi language.
Bear in mind, the important thing to mastering the Punjabi language is constant follow and dedication. Don’t be afraid to make errors, and hold working towards.

Be taught Punjabi Pronunciation With Ling
As you may see, Punjabi pronunciation generally is a little tough for non-native audio system. With ten vowel sounds, twenty-five consonant sounds, and three tones to grasp, it will probably really feel overwhelming.
However, with some follow and persistence, you may nail Punjabi pronunciation like a boss. Bear in mind to concentrate to mouth and tongue placement, exaggerate sounds, and follow usually.
And when you’re searching for extra sources that can assist you along with your Punjabi or another language, take a look at the Ling app! With this game-like app, you’ll get entry to over 60 languages and instruments to turn into proficient within the language of your selection.
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