Learn the Punjabi alphabet in Gurmukhi with all 35 letters, English pronunciation, vowel marks, and simple beginner examples.
The Punjabi alphabet is commonly written using the Gurmukhi script. Gurmukhi is the script used in Guru Granth Sahib Ji and is widely used by Sikhs and Punjabi speakers around the world.
The traditional Punjabi alphabet is often called the 35 Akhar, meaning the 35 letters. These letters are the foundation for reading and writing Punjabi in Gurmukhi.
These are the 35 main Gurmukhi letters. Start by learning the symbol, then the romanized name.
Laga matra are vowel signs added to Gurmukhi letters. They change the sound of a letter. Below, each example uses the letter ਕ.
Start by recognizing the 35 Akhar. Then learn how vowel marks change each letter’s sound. For example, ਕ can become ਕਾ, ਕਿ, ਕੀ, ਕੁ, ਕੂ, ਕੇ, ਕੈ, ਕੋ, and ਕੌ.
Once you can recognize letters and vowel marks together, you can begin reading simple Punjabi words.
The traditional Gurmukhi Punjabi alphabet has 35 main letters, often called the 35 Akhar.
Punjabi is commonly written in Gurmukhi in India and among many Sikh communities. Punjabi can also be written in Shahmukhi, which is used more commonly in Pakistan.
Laga matra are vowel marks added to Gurmukhi letters. They help create sounds like aa, i, ee, u, oo, ay, ai, o, and au.
Start with the 35 letters first. After that, learn the vowel marks so you can begin reading full Punjabi words.