व्यंजन
vyañjan/ʋjən.d͡ʒən/
The English phrase 'consonants' is translated into Hindi as व्यंजन (vyañjan).
In a linguistic context, व्यंजन refers to consonants. For example, the consonant न is a nasal consonant pronounced as na, the consonant ब (ba) is voiced and the consonant प (pa) is voiceless.
What does it mean word for word?
The word व्यंजन can have two different meanings depending on the context: it means 'consonant' in linguistics, but it also means 'prepared food' or 'delicacy' in a culinary context.
Which one should you use?
In Hindi linguistics, the term for consonants व्यंजन is contrasted with the term for vowels स्वर.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as [ʋjən.dʒən]. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Sanskrit and Hindi, the word व्यंजन can also refer to a 'hint' or 'suggestion' that is implied rather than stated explicitly.
- Unlike English, where consonants can start a word alone, most Hindi व्यंजन are conceptually tied to an inherent vowel sound.
- Many व्यंजन in Hindi come in pairs of aspirated and non-aspirated sounds, where a slight puff of air changes the entire meaning of a word.
Examples in context
- हिंदी में बहुत सारे व्यंजन हैं।Hindi mein bahut saare vyanjan hain.There are many consonants in Hindi.
- क्या आप व्यंजन लिख सकते हैं?Kya aap vyanjan likh sakte hain?Can you write the consonants?
- यह व्यंजन थोड़ा कठिन है।Yeh vyanjan thoda kathin hai.This consonant is a little difficult.
Example conversation
Vikas is helping Priya study Hindi grammar.
- विकास Vikasप्रिया, क्या तुम्हें व्यंजन याद हैं?Priya, kya tumhe vyanjan yaad hain?Priya, do you remember the consonants?
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ विकास, मुझे सब याद हैं।Haan Vikas, mujhe sab yaad hain.Yes Vikas, I remember them all.
- विकास Vikasबहुत अच्छे, अब स्वर पढ़ो।Bahut achhe, ab swar padho.Very good, now read the vowels.
- प्रिया Priyaठीक है, मैं कोशिश करती हूँ।Thik hai, main koshish karti hoon.Okay, I will try.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry व्यंजन, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
