Vowels
The Pronunciation of Words & Vocabulary
Vowels
Now that we know the pronunciation of individual characters, let us practice pronunciation of some Pali words. Each set of words focuses on a group of characters from the Pali Alphabet.
We will also try to build up some Pali vocabulary along with these grammar sessions. The words listed below for pronunciation practice, are the words that occur frequently in Tipiṭaka. The audio is followed by some flashcards and other activities which will help you memorise these words.
Note : All pali words end in a vowel or niggahīta (ṃ). While pronouncing a word the last vowel should be clearly audible. Please pay special attention to words ending in the vowel ‘a’. The sound of ‘a’ should be audible at the end of the word.
a and ā
- anicca = impermanent
- anattā = non-self
- akusala = unwholesome
- avijjā = ignorance
- appamāda = heedfulness
- āloka = light
- ācariya = teacher
- ārāma = park, monastery
- āpa = water
- āyatana = sphere, region
i and ī
- isi = sage
- iti = thus
- iddhi = prosperity, psychic power
- idāni = now
- indriya = faculty
- īdisa = such
- gīta = song
- pīti = joy
- itthī = woman
- paṭhavī = earth
u and ū
- uju = straight, upright
- utu = season, climate
- kusala = wholesome
- vimutti = liberation
- sādhu = good, meritorious
- vidū = wise
- vadhū = woman, daughter-in-law
- sūriya = sun
- mūla = root, origin
- vūpasama = quenching, cessation
e and o (long and short)
- eka = one
- esanā = desire, longing
- evaṃ = thus
- deva = deity
- mettā = loving kindness, goodwill
- obhāsa = light, splendour
- ovāda = advice, exhortation
- moha = delusion
- loka = world
- potthaka = book
Please note the words mettā and potthaka in which the characters ‘e’ and ‘o’ are shorter compared to the other words.