What are Matras in Nepali?
Matras are vowel signs that attach to consonants to change their sound. Every Nepali consonant has a built-in "a" sound (e.g., क = "ka"). To change this to "ki", "ku", "ko", etc., you add a matra — a small mark placed above, below, before, or after the consonant. There are 12 matras corresponding to the 12 Nepali vowels. Mastering matras is the single biggest unlock for reading Nepali fluently.
In this Guide:
1. All 12 Nepali Matras at a Glance
Here is the complete list of matras, showing the vowel they represent, the matra symbol, and an example with the consonant क (Ka):
| Vowel | Sound | Matra | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| अ | a | (inherent) | क = ka | Default sound — no matra needed |
| आ | aa | ा | का = kaa | Vertical line to the right |
| इ | i | ि | कि = ki | Placed BEFORE the consonant visually |
| ई | ee | ी | की = kee | Extends above the Shirorekha |
| उ | u | ु | कु = ku | Small hook below the consonant |
| ऊ | oo | ू | कू = koo | Slightly larger hook below |
| ऋ | ri | ृ | कृ = kri | Small curve below — rare in everyday words |
| ए | e | े | के = ke | Diagonal mark above the Shirorekha |
| ऐ | ai | ै | कै = kai | Double diagonal above Shirorekha |
| ओ | o | ो | को = ko | Combines ा + े marks |
| औ | au | ौ | कौ = kau | Combines ा + ै marks |
| अं | am | ं | कं = kam | Dot above — called Anusvara |
2. How Matras Work: A Visual Explanation
Think of a consonant as a "base" with a default "a" sound. Matras are like switches that change which vowel sound is attached:
Base consonant (default "a" sound)
क= "ka"
kaa
ki
ku
ke
ko
kee
koo
kau
This same pattern applies to every consonant. Once a child understands how matras work with क, they can apply the same logic to all 36 consonants — that's what the Bahrakhari chart is all about.
3. Best Teaching Order for Kids
Don't teach all 12 matras at once! Follow this phased approach for the best results:
The Easy Matras
These are visually distinct and appear in many common words. Children grasp them quickly.
Practice words:
Above & Below Matras
These matras change position — some go below, some above, and ि goes before the consonant visually (but after it in sound).
Practice words:
Compound Matras
These are combinations or diacritics that require understanding the simpler matras first.
Practice words:
Rare Matras
These appear in fewer words and can be taught last without impacting reading progress.
Practice words:
4. Commonly Confused Matra Pairs
These pairs trip up most beginners. Here's how to tell them apart:
ि (i) vs ी (ee)
Short 'i' is a S-curve before the letter. Long 'ee' extends above the headline. Think: short sound = short mark.
ु (u) vs ू (oo)
Both go below the consonant. Short 'u' is a small hook. Long 'oo' is a slightly larger hook. Very subtle difference!
े (e) vs ै (ai)
Single diagonal = 'e'. Double diagonal = 'ai'. Double means the sound is deeper/longer.
ो (o) vs ौ (au)
Both use the ा base. 'o' adds one diagonal above, 'au' adds two diagonals above.
Teaching Tips for Parents & Teachers
One Matra at a Time
Introduce one matra per session. Practice it with 3-5 different consonants before adding the next.
Vowel → Matra Connection
Before teaching a matra, review the vowel it comes from. Ask: 'Remember the sound आ makes? The mark ा makes any consonant say that same sound!'
Use Real Words Immediately
As soon as a child learns ा (aa matra), practice reading words like काम, माला, नाम. Context makes it click.
Color-Code Matras
When writing practice words, use a different color for the matra. This helps children visually isolate and identify the vowel sign.
Bahrakhari Row by Row
Once 4-5 matras are learned, practice one row of the Bahrakhari chart (one consonant + all known matras) at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many matras are there in Nepali?
There are 12 matras (plus the Chandrabindu and Visarga), corresponding to the 12 vowels. However, the default 'a' sound doesn't require a matra since it's inherent in every consonant — so practically you learn 11 matra symbols.
What is the difference between matras and vowels?
Vowels (Swar Barna) are standalone letters used at the beginning of words or syllables (e.g., अ, आ, इ). Matras are the modified FORMS of those vowels that attach to consonants (e.g., ा, ि, ी). Same sounds, different visual representations.
Why does ि (i matra) appear before the consonant?
This is a visual quirk of Devanagari. The short 'i' matra (ि) is written BEFORE the consonant visually, but is pronounced AFTER it. So कि looks like the matra comes first, but you still read it as 'ki' not 'ik'. This confuses many beginners but becomes natural with practice.
When should my child start learning matras?
After they can confidently recognize and sound out all 12 vowels and at least 10-15 consonants. Typically this is around age 4-5 for most children, but it depends on their individual readiness.
What is Bahrakhari and how does it relate to matras?
Bahrakhari is the systematic chart showing every consonant combined with every vowel matra. It's the 'multiplication table' of Nepali reading. For example, the Ka row shows: क, का, कि, की, कु, कू, कृ, के, कै, को, कौ, कं. Mastering Bahrakhari means mastering matras.