स्वर
svar/sʋəɾ/
The English phrase "vowels" is translated into Hindi as स्वर (svar).
The term स्वर refers to the speech sounds produced without any blockage of the airflow in the mouth.
Which one should you use?
In Hindi linguistics, स्वर is the direct counterpart to व्यंजन, which means "consonant".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is svar. The IPA is /sʋəɾ/.
Did you know?
- In many Indian musical traditions, the term स्वर refers not just to linguistic vowels, but to the seven fundamental notes of the musical scale.
- In the Devanagari script, the vowels are categorized as स्वर, but they are often grouped with 'inherent' vowels that exist inside every consonant.
- The concept of स्वर is central to 'Svara' in Vedic chanting, where specific phonetic tones are used to preserve the sanctity of ancient texts.
Examples in context
- मेरी अलमारी में चार पट और दो आईनें हैं. उसको एक स्वीडिश कंपनी ने बनाया है, जिसके नाम में तीन स्वर और एक व्यंजन है.My wardrobe has four doors and two mirrors. It was manufactured by a Swedish company, whose name contains three vowels and a consonant.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to count the number of स्वर within a name.Tatoeba #6174574 by fastrizwaan, translation #6174459 by sundown
- हिंदी में बहुत सारे स्वर हैं.Hindi mein bahut saare swar hain.There are many vowels in Hindi.
Example conversation
Rahul is helping Anjali with her Hindi grammar homework.
- राहुल Rahulअंजलि, क्या तुम्हें स्वर और व्यंजन का अंतर पता है?Anjali, kya tumhe svar aur vyanjan ka antar pata hai?Anjali, do you know the difference between vowels and consonants?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ राहुल, स्वर बिना किसी रुकावट के बोले जाते हैं।Haan Rahul, svar bina kisi rukavat ke bole jaate hain.Yes Rahul, vowels are spoken without any blockage.
- राहुल Rahulबिल्कुल सही, तुम बहुत अच्छा सीख रही हो।Bilkul sahi, tum bahut accha seekh rahi ho.Exactly, you are learning very well.
- अंजलि Anjaliशुक्रिया, अब मुझे यह आसान लग रहा है।Shukriya, ab mujhe yeh aasaan lag raha hai.Thank you, it seems easy to me now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry स्वर, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
