Key Kannada consonants, retroflex versus dental sounds, aspiration, and vowel length for accurate pronunciation. Front: the sound pattern or example word. Back: meaning plus a plain-English pronunciation note.
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- ಅ vs ಆ (a vs aa)
- A short vowel a versus a long vowel aa held about twice as long; the length can change a word's meaning.
- ಇ vs ಈ (i vs ii)
- A short vowel i versus a long vowel ii; vowel length is meaningful in Kannada.
- ಉ vs ಊ (u vs uu)
- A short vowel u versus a long vowel uu, held for roughly twice the duration.
- ಟ retroflex ta
- A retroflex t, pronounced with the tongue curled back against the roof of the mouth, distinct from the dental ತ.
- ತ dental ta
- A dental t, pronounced with the tongue tip against the back of the upper teeth.
- ಡ retroflex da
- A retroflex d, pronounced with the tongue curled back, distinct from the dental ದ.
- ದ dental da
- A dental d, pronounced with the tongue against the upper teeth.
- ಣ retroflex na
- A retroflex n, pronounced with the tongue curled back, distinct from the dental ನ.
- ನ dental na
- A dental n, the plain everyday n sound.
- ಳ retroflex la
- A retroflex l, pronounced with the tongue curled back, distinct from the plain dental ಲ.
- ಲ dental la
- A plain l sound, similar to English l.
- ಶ vs ಸ (sha vs sa)
- A palatal sh as in shoe, versus a dental s as in sun; the two are distinct sounds in Kannada.
- ಕ vs ಖ (ka vs kha)
- An unaspirated k with no extra breath, versus an aspirated kh released with a strong puff of air.
- ಗ vs ಘ (ga vs gha)
- An unaspirated g versus an aspirated gh released with a strong puff of air.
- ಚ vs ಛ (cha vs chha)
- An unaspirated ch versus an aspirated chh released with extra breath.
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