Nuqta (़): Dot below for Persian/Arabic sounds
The Nuqta adapts the Devanagari script to handle foreign sounds like 'Z' and 'F', bridging Hindi with the world.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Nuqta is a dot below a letter modifying its sound.
- Mainly turns `ph` to `f` and `j` to `z`.
- Used for Persian, Arabic, and English loanwords.
- Critical for meaning: `saja` (decorated) vs `saza` (punishment).
Quick Reference
| Base Letter | With Nuqta | Sound Change | Example Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| `फ` (pha) | `फ़` (fa) | Explosive P-H → Soft F | `फ़िल्म` (film) |
| `ज` (ja) | `ज़` (za) | Hard J → Buzzing Z | `बाज़ार` (bazaar) |
| `ख` (kha) | `ख़` (kh) | Aspirated K → Raspy Kh | `ख़बर` (khabar - news) |
| `ग` (ga) | `ग़` (gh) | Hard G → Gargled Gh | `ग़लत` (ghalat - wrong) |
| `क` (ka) | `क़` (qa) | Velar K → Uvular Q | `क़िला` (qila - fort) |
| `ड` (da) | `ड़` (ra) | Hard D → Flapped R | `लड़का` (ladka - boy) |
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 9कृपया मुझे `फ़ोन` दीजिए।
Please give me the phone.
यह बहुत `ज़रूरी` है।
This is very necessary.
खाना `मज़ेदार` है।
The food is tasty.
The Tissue Test
Hold a tissue in front of your mouth. Say 'Phool' (flower) - the tissue should move (puff of air). Say 'Fool' (idiot/English) - the tissue shouldn't move much. That's the Nuqta difference!
Don't Hyper-Correct
Don't put Nuqtas on `फिर` (phir - then/again). Many learners write `फ़िर`, but strictly speaking, it's native Hindi `फिर`. Though honestly? Even locals mix this one up.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Nuqta is a dot below a letter modifying its sound.
- Mainly turns `ph` to `f` and `j` to `z`.
- Used for Persian, Arabic, and English loanwords.
- Critical for meaning: `saja` (decorated) vs `saza` (punishment).
Overview
The Nuqta (़) is a tiny dot that sits beneath a Hindi letter. Think of it as a passport stamp for foreign sounds. It tells you that a word didn't originate in Sanskrit but likely walked in from Persian, Arabic, or English. Without it, Hindi wouldn't be able to say "pizza" or "zebra" correctly! It turns standard Hindi sounds into their exotic cousins.
How This Grammar Works
The Nuqta changes the pronunciation of a consonant. It typically turns a "stop" sound (where airflow stops) into a "fricative" sound (where air flows continuously with friction). For A2 learners, the two most critical transformations are ph to f and j to z.
Formation Pattern
- 1You simply add a dot below specific characters. Here are the main culprits:
- 2
फ(pha) + Nuqta =फ़(fa). Like 'f' in father. - 3
ज(ja) + Nuqta =ज़(za). Like 'z' in zebra. - 4
ख(kha) + Nuqta =ख़(kha). A raspy 'kh' deep in the throat (like Loch Ness). - 5
ग(ga) + Nuqta =ग़(gha). A gargling 'g' sound. - 6
क(ka) + Nuqta =क़(qa). A clicking 'k' deep in the throat. - 7Note: In modern conversational Hindi, many speakers skip the Nuqta for
क,ख, andग, butज(z) andफ(f) are essential. Skipping them can sound like you have a cold!
When To Use It
Use the Nuqta whenever you are writing or pronouncing words of Urdu or English origin that have these specific sounds.
- Urdu words:
ज़िंदगी(zindagi - life),ख़ुशी(khushi - happiness),ग़लati(ghalti - mistake). - English loanwords:
फ़ोन(phone),ज़ू(zoo),कॉफ़ी(coffee).
If you are writing 'telephone', use फ़, not फ. Using फ would make it sound like 'tele-p-hone', which sounds adorable but wrong.
When Not To Use It
Do not use the Nuqta for native Hindi/Sanskrit words (Tatsam/Tadbhav words).
फल(phal - fruit) is correct.फ़लis not.जल(jal - water) is correct.ज़लis not.
Also, don't sprinkle them everywhere just to look fancy. Over-using Nuqtas is a classic beginner move—like wearing a tuxedo to a grocery store.
Common Mistakes
- The 'Ph' vs 'F' Mix-up: Pronouncing
फ़ोन(phone) as 'p-hone'. It's a soft 'f', lips touching teeth. - The 'J' vs 'Z' Confusion: Saying
जरा(jara - old age) instead ofज़रा(zara - a little). One dot changes the entire meaning! - Ignoring it completely: While you can get away with ignoring
क़orख़, ignoringज़makes your Hindi sound very stiff.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
There are two other letters with dots underneath: ड़ (ra) and ढ़ (rha).
- These are NOT foreign sounds. They are native retroflex flaps.
- The rule for them is different: they never start a word.
- The Persian/Arabic Nuqta letters (
ज़,फ़) *can* start a word.
Think of ड़/ढ़ as the rebellious teenagers of the native family, while ज़/फ़ are the cool exchange students.
Quick FAQ
Q. Do I always have to write the Nuqta?
A. In formal writing, yes. In casual texting, people often skip it, but you should still *pronounce* the sound correctly.
Q. How do I type it?
A. On most Hindi keyboards, the Nuqta is the first key to the left of the '1' key, or sometimes shift + another key. It's a separate keystroke added *after* the letter.
Reference Table
| Base Letter | With Nuqta | Sound Change | Example Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| `फ` (pha) | `फ़` (fa) | Explosive P-H → Soft F | `फ़िल्म` (film) |
| `ज` (ja) | `ज़` (za) | Hard J → Buzzing Z | `बाज़ार` (bazaar) |
| `ख` (kha) | `ख़` (kh) | Aspirated K → Raspy Kh | `ख़बर` (khabar - news) |
| `ग` (ga) | `ग़` (gh) | Hard G → Gargled Gh | `ग़लत` (ghalat - wrong) |
| `क` (ka) | `क़` (qa) | Velar K → Uvular Q | `क़िला` (qila - fort) |
| `ड` (da) | `ड़` (ra) | Hard D → Flapped R | `लड़का` (ladka - boy) |
The Tissue Test
Hold a tissue in front of your mouth. Say 'Phool' (flower) - the tissue should move (puff of air). Say 'Fool' (idiot/English) - the tissue shouldn't move much. That's the Nuqta difference!
Don't Hyper-Correct
Don't put Nuqtas on `फिर` (phir - then/again). Many learners write `फ़िर`, but strictly speaking, it's native Hindi `फिर`. Though honestly? Even locals mix this one up.
The mark of elegance
In Bollywood songs and poetry (Shayari), pronouncing the Nuqta sounds (`क़`, `ख़`, `ग़`, `ज़`) correctly is considered a sign of refinement and education (Tehzeeb).
English Words Rule
If you write an English word in Hindi, always use Nuqta for F and Z. Pizza is `पिज़्ज़ा`. Coffee is `कॉफ़ी`. Failing to do so makes it read 'Pijja' and 'Cophee'.
أمثلة
9कृपया मुझे `फ़ोन` दीजिए।
Focus: फ़ोन
Please give me the phone.
English loanword uses Nuqta.
यह बहुत `ज़रूरी` है।
Focus: ज़रूरी
This is very necessary.
Urdu origin word requiring 'Z' sound.
खाना `मज़ेदार` है।
Focus: मज़ेदार
The food is tasty.
Mazedaar comes from maza (fun/taste).
उसने `ग़लती` की।
Focus: ग़लती
He made a mistake.
Ghalti uses the throat 'Gh' sound.
मुझे ताज़ा `फल` चाहिए।
Focus: फल
I want fresh fruit.
✓ Correct: 'Phal' is native Hindi, so NO Nuqta.
मुझे ताज़ा `फ़ल` चाहिए।
Focus: फ़ल
I want fresh fruit.
✗ Wrong: Using Nuqta on a native word.
अपराधी को `सज़ा` दो।
Focus: सज़ा
Punish the criminal.
Saza (punishment) needs 'Z'. Saja means decorated.
बस `ज़रा` सा।
Focus: ज़रा
Just a little bit.
Zara (little) vs Jara (old age).
`दरवाज़ा` खोलो।
Focus: दरवाज़ा
Open the door.
Everyday object with Persian roots.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct word for 'clean/clear' (saaf).
कमरा बिल्कुल ___ है।
'Saaf' is an Urdu/Arabic word requiring the 'f' sound (`फ़`).
Select the correct spelling for 'Life'.
___ बहुत सुंदर है।
Zindagi starts with a 'Z' sound, so it needs `ज़`.
Choose the word for 'Flower' (native Hindi).
यह कमल का ___ है।
'Phool' is a native Hindi word. No Nuqta allowed! It's a 'ph' sound, not 'f'.
🎉 النتيجة: /3
وسائل تعلم بصرية
One Dot, Big Difference
Do I Use A Nuqta?
Is the word from English or Urdu?
Does it have a Z or F sound?
Is it 'Phool' (flower) or 'Phal' (fruit)?
Wait, really?
Nuqta Sounds in Action
The 'Z' Squad
- • ज़िंदगी (Life)
- • ज़मीन (Land)
- • बाज़ार (Market)
The 'F' Force
- • साफ़ (Clean)
- • फ़र्क (Difference)
- • हफ़्ता (Week)
The 'Kh' Club
- • ख़ुदा (God)
- • ख़राब (Bad)
- • ख़ास (Special)
The Native Flaps
- • लड़का (Boy)
- • पढ़ना (To Read)
- • सड़क (Road)
الأسئلة الشائعة
21 أسئلةYes! The classic example is सजा (decorated) vs सज़ा (punishment). Imagine saying 'I want the criminal decorated' instead of punished!
Everyone does. In WhatsApp Hinglish or fast typing, people rarely hunt for the dot. Context usually makes it clear.
It's a rasping sound from the back of your throat, like you're clearing it. Think of the 'ch' in the German 'Bach' or the Scottish 'Loch'.
In some rural dialects or regional accents (like in Bihar or UP), the 'Z' sound often naturally shifts to 'J'. It's not 'standard' Hindi, but it's very common.
No! In native Hindi words like फल (fruit) or फूल (flower), it is definitely ph (aspirated P). It is NOT 'f'.
It represents the 'q' sound deep in the throat. But in modern spoken Hindi, 99% of people just pronounce it like a normal क (k).
Long press the base letter. For example, long press ज to see ज़ pop up as an option.
Very. ढ is a soft dental sound used at the start of words (ढक्कन). ढ़ is a hard retroflex flap used in the middle/end (पढ़ना).
Yes, if the name is Persian/Arabic/English. 'Zara' is ज़रा. 'Faizan' is फ़ैज़ान. 'Pooja' is पूजा (no Nuqta).
ग is a hard G (gate). ग़ is a soft, friction-filled sound, almost like a French R but further forward.
No. Sanskrit does not use the Nuqta. It is purely a device to accommodate foreign sounds.
Because it's a Persian loanword! It originally had the 'f' sound, so Hindi keeps it with फ़.
Yes, for the 'D' if you want to be precise (डॉक्टर), though ड is often used. But definitely use it for words like 'Zero' (ज़ीरो).
Don't sweat it. Pronouncing it as a normal ख (kh) is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation. You'll just sound less 'poetic'.
It's considered part of spelling (orthography) and phonology (pronunciation). It doesn't affect sentence structure.
Singers often soften the ph to f for flow, but grammatically and strictly speaking, फिर has no Nuqta.
It is always ज़. There is no native letter for Z in the standard Devanagari alphabet without the dot.
It is always फ़. Native Hindi only has 'Ph'.
Experience! But if it has sounds like Z, F, Kh (raspy), or ends in 'aat' or 'iyat', it's likely Urdu/Arabic.
In some Marathi or Vedic texts, yes (ळ), but in standard Hindi, no. ल is just ल.
No. Vowels never take a Nuqta. Only consonants do.
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