वर्णमाला
varṇamālā/ʋəɾɳ.mɑː.lɑː/feminine
The English word "alphabet" is वर्णमाला (varṇamālā) in Hindi. Wiktionary also lists मूलाक्षर (mūlākṣar) and अक्षरमाला (akṣarmālā).
Meaning: an ordered set of letters used in a language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| वर्णमाला | varṇamālā | /ʋəɾɳ.mɑː.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| मूलाक्षर | mūlākṣar | /muː.lɑːk.ʂəɾ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| अक्षरमाला | akṣarmālā | feminine |
The term refers to an ordered set of letters used in a language.
What does it mean word for word?
वर्णमाला (varṇamālā) is a compound of वर्ण (character or letter) and माला (garland or series). अक्षरमाला (akṣarmālā) is a compound of अक्षर (letter or syllable) and माला (garland or series).
Which one should you use?
वर्णमाला is the most common and standard term for "alphabet". In contrast, मूलाक्षर refers more specifically to the "basic letters" or "root characters" of a script.
How does it change in a sentence?
वर्णमाला and अक्षरमाला are feminine nouns and require feminine adjectives and verb agreement. मूलाक्षर is a masculine noun and requires masculine adjectives and verb agreement.
How do you pronounce it?
varṇamālā (3 syllables: /ʋəɾɳ.mɑː.lɑː/)
Did you know?
- Unlike the English alphabet, the Hindi वर्णमाला is organized scientifically by the point of articulation in the mouth, moving from the throat toward the lips.
- The word अक्षर used in अक्षरमाला literally means 'imperishable' or 'indestructible'. In Indian philosophy, this implies that sounds are eternal even when the speaker is gone.
- The term वर्णमाला is a direct borrowing from Sanskrit, the ancient liturgical language of India, which continues to provide the formal vocabulary for education and science in Hindi.
Examples in context
- रूसी वर्णमाला में कितने अक्षर हैं?How many letters does the Russian alphabet have?This sentence is useful for asking how many letters are in the Russian वर्णमाला.Tatoeba #3620869 by sabretou, translation #719916 by darinmex
- मैंने हिंदी की वर्णमाला अच्छे से सीखी।I have learned the Hindi alphabet well.
- क्या तुमने अपनी अक्षरमाला सीख ली है?Have you learned your alphabet?
- क्या आपको हिंदी वर्णमाला आती है?Kya aapko Hindi varnamala aati hai?Do you know the Hindi alphabet?
- बच्चे वर्णमाला सीख रहे हैं।Bachche varnamala seekh rahe hain.The children are learning the alphabet.
Example conversation
Amit and Pooja are discussing language learning at home.
- अमित Amitपूजा, क्या तुम्हें हिंदी वर्णमाला याद है?Pooja, kya tumhe Hindi varnamala yaad hai?Pooja, do you remember the Hindi alphabet?
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, मुझे वर्णमाला अच्छी तरह आती है।Haan, mujhe varnamala achchhi tarah aati hai.Yes, I know the alphabet very well.
- अमित Amitयह बहुत अच्छी बात है।Yeh bahut achchhi baat hai.That is a very good thing.
- पूजा Poojaधन्यवाद, अमित।Dhanyavaad, Amit.Thank you, Amit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alphabet” translations and entries वर्णमाला, मूलाक्षर, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries मूलाक्षर, वर्णमाला, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
