In short: Pali is spelled almost as it sounds. Vowels are pure (a as in "but", ā as in "father"), c is "ch", ñ is "ny", ṃ is a nasal "ng", and aspirated letters like th, ph, kh are a plain t, p or k with a puff of breath, not the English "th" or "f". Double consonants are held a moment longer, and long vowels last twice as long as short ones.
Vowels
- a as in "but"; ā as in "father".
- i as in "bit"; ī as in "machine".
- u as in "put"; ū as in "rule".
- e as in "they"; o as in "go" (shorter before two consonants).
Consonants
- c = "ch" (citta = chitta); j = "j".
- ñ = "ny" as in "canyon"; ṃ = nasal "ng".
- kh, th, ph, bh, dh, gh = k, t, p, b, d, g plus a breath (bhikkhu: bhik-khu).
- ṭ ḍ ṇ ḷ = tongue curled back; a plain t, d, n or l is fine for a beginner.
- Double consonants (tt, kk, ss) are held a little longer.
Try it
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa: "NA-mo TAS-sa bha-ga-VA-to a-ra-HA-to sam-mā-sam-BUD-dhas-sa". See what it means, then the Itipiso chant and paritta chanting.
Why chant: benefits of chanting · morning chanting · evening chanting
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce Pali vowels?
Short a is like the u in 'but', long ā like 'father', i like 'bit', ī like 'machine', u like 'put', ū like 'rule'. e and o are long before a single consonant and short before two.
How is c pronounced in Pali?
Like ch in 'church'. So 'citta' sounds like 'chitta', and 'bhikkhu' has a hard k followed by an aspirated kh.
Does Pali use stress?
Stress falls on the first long syllable counting from the end, or the second syllable from the start when none is long. Long vowels are held about twice as long as short ones.