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

  1. anicca = impermanent
  2. anattā = non-self
  3. akusala = unwholesome
  4. avijjā = ignorance
  5. appamāda = heedfulness
  6. āloka = light
  7. ācariya = teacher
  8. ārāma = park, monastery
  9. āpa = water
  10. āyatana = sphere, region
Audio for pronunciation of a and ā

i and ī

  1. isi = sage
  2. iti = thus
  3. iddhi = prosperity, psychic power
  4. idāni = now
  5. indriya = faculty
  6. īdisa = such
  7. gīta = song
  8. pīti = joy
  9. itthī = woman
  10. paṭhavī = earth
Audio for pronunciation of i and ī

u and ū

  1. uju = straight, upright
  2. utu = season, climate
  3. kusala = wholesome
  4. vimutti = liberation
  5. sādhu = good, meritorious
  6. vidū = wise
  7. vadhū = woman, daughter-in-law
  8. sūriya = sun
  9. mūla = root, origin
  10. vūpasama = quenching, cessation
Audio for pronunciation of u and ū

e and o (long and short)

  1. eka = one
  2. esanā = desire, longing
  3. evaṃ = thus
  4. deva = deity
  5. mettā = loving kindness, goodwill
  6. obhāsa = light, splendour
  7. ovāda = advice, exhortation
  8. moha = delusion
  9. loka = world
  10. potthaka = book
Audio for pronunciation of e and o

Please note the words mettā and potthaka in which the characters ‘e’ and ‘o’ are shorter compared to the other words.

Last modified: Saturday, 10 December 2022, 11:10 AM