Devanagari · Writing system

Writing system course · 203 lessons · 2,403 entries

1,526 chart forms in 129 progressive lessons: vowels, consonants, vowel signs, combinations and numerals. Original source readings and provenance retained. Then put letters together in common-word reading practice.

Devanagari is a writing system used by several languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit and Nepali. This course teaches script forms rather than promising a complete course in any one language.

Independent vowels are used on their own; dependent signs combine with consonant bases. Many base forms include an inherent vowel, and a virama can suppress it. Compare the complete written unit, keeping its marks attached to the base while tracing and typing.

Later lessons cover the or explicitly constructed combinations and numeral symbols. The chart may include rare, historical or learned forms. Source readings are kept as study labels, not a guarantee of identical pronunciation in every language or context.

The common-word files contain translation and transcription problems. They are kept out of graded vocabulary practice until reviewed; this course currently focuses on the script charts.

Continue from the letter charts to 877 whole-word forms in 74 short reading lessons, beginning with shorter forms. Practice complete spellings, letter unscrambling and missing-letter exercises. English glosses are reference notes and have not been independently reviewed.

How to practice

Study a small group, trace complete forms, then check recognition and typing. Use the matching script palette if your keyboard is unavailable. Starting the course activates only its first lesson; later groups remain inside the course until you start them. After the charts, try reading the words before revealing their readings.

Open interactive course →

Read these examples freely without an account. In the app you can preview lessons, study a private copy and progress through the course one lesson at a time.

Examples from the lessons

Compare the original written form with the reading or equivalent. Try covering the answer column before checking it.

Course outline

Use the outline to choose what to preview. Starting the interactive course begins with the first lesson; later lessons become available as you continue.

1. Independent vowels and signs · 1
2. Independent vowels and signs · 2
3. Independent vowels and signs · 3
4. Consonants and additional forms · 1
5. Consonants and additional forms · 2
6. Consonants and additional forms · 3
7. Consonants and additional forms · 4
8. Consonants and additional forms · 5
9. Consonants and additional forms · 6
10. Dependent vowel signs and virama · 1
11. Dependent vowel signs and virama · 2
12. Dependent vowel signs and virama · 3
13. Consonant–vowel combinations · 1
14. Consonant–vowel combinations · 2
15. Consonant–vowel combinations · 3
16. Consonant–vowel combinations · 4
17. Consonant–vowel combinations · 5
18. Consonant–vowel combinations · 6
19. Consonant–vowel combinations · 7
20. Consonant–vowel combinations · 8
21. Consonant–vowel combinations · 9
22. Consonant–vowel combinations · 10
23. Consonant–vowel combinations · 11
24. Consonant–vowel combinations · 12
25. Consonant–vowel combinations · 13
26. Consonant–vowel combinations · 14
27. Consonant–vowel combinations · 15
28. Consonant–vowel combinations · 16
29. Consonant–vowel combinations · 17
30. Consonant–vowel combinations · 18
31. Consonant–vowel combinations · 19
32. Consonant–vowel combinations · 20
33. Consonant–vowel combinations · 21
34. Consonant–vowel combinations · 22
35. Consonant–vowel combinations · 23
36. Consonant–vowel combinations · 24
37. Conjunct consonants · 1
38. Conjunct consonants · 2
39. Conjunct consonants · 3
40. Conjunct consonants · 4
41. Conjunct consonants · 5
42. Conjunct consonants · 6
43. Conjunct consonants · 7
44. Conjunct consonants · 8
45. Conjunct consonants · 9
46. Conjunct consonants · 10
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48. Conjunct consonants · 12
49. Conjunct consonants · 13
50. Conjunct consonants · 14
51. Conjunct consonants · 15
52. Conjunct consonants · 16
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54. Conjunct consonants · 18
55. Conjunct consonants · 19
56. Conjunct consonants · 20
57. Conjunct consonants · 21
58. Conjunct consonants · 22
59. Conjunct consonants · 23
60. Conjunct consonants · 24
61. Conjunct consonants · 25
62. Conjunct consonants · 26
63. Conjunct consonants · 27
64. Conjunct consonants · 28
65. Conjunct consonants · 29
66. Conjunct consonants · 30
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69. Conjunct consonants · 33
70. Conjunct consonants · 34
71. Conjunct consonants · 35
72. Conjunct consonants · 36
73. Conjunct consonants · 37
74. Conjunct consonants · 38
75. Conjunct consonants · 39
76. Conjunct consonants · 40
77. Conjunct consonants · 41
78. Conjunct consonants · 42
79. Conjunct consonants · 43
80. Conjunct consonants · 44
81. Conjunct consonants · 45
82. Conjunct consonants · 46
83. Conjunct consonants · 47
84. Conjunct consonants · 48
85. Conjunct consonants · 49
86. Conjunct consonants · 50
87. Conjunct consonants · 51
88. Conjunct consonants · 52
89. Conjunct consonants · 53
90. Conjunct consonants · 54
91. Conjunct consonants · 55
92. Conjunct consonants · 56
93. Conjunct consonants · 57
94. Conjunct consonants · 58
95. Conjunct consonants · 59
96. Conjunct consonants · 60
97. Conjunct consonants · 61
98. Conjunct consonants · 62
99. Conjunct consonants · 63
100. Conjunct consonants · 64
101. Conjunct consonants · 65
102. Conjunct consonants · 66
103. Conjunct consonants · 67
104. Conjunct consonants · 68
105. Conjunct consonants · 69
106. Conjunct consonants · 70
107. Conjunct consonants · 71
108. Conjunct consonants · 72
109. Conjunct consonants · 73
110. Conjunct consonants · 74
111. Conjunct consonants · 75
112. Conjunct consonants · 76
113. Conjunct consonants · 77
114. Conjunct consonants · 78
115. Conjunct consonants · 79
116. Conjunct consonants · 80
117. Conjunct consonants · 81
118. Conjunct consonants · 82
119. Conjunct consonants · 83
120. Conjunct consonants · 84
121. Conjunct consonants · 85
122. Conjunct consonants · 86
123. Conjunct consonants · 87
124. Conjunct consonants · 88
125. Conjunct consonants · 89
126. Conjunct consonants · 90
127. Conjunct consonants · 91
128. Numerals and symbols · 1
129. Numerals and symbols · 2
130. Read common words · 1
131. Read common words · 2
132. Read common words · 3
133. Read common words · 4
134. Read common words · 5
135. Read common words · 6
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Font: Noto Sans Devanagari · SIL Open Font License.