Hindi Matras

Matras are special marks that we put above or below some Hindi letters. They help us pronounce words correctly. Here are some examples:

1. ा (Aa ki matra): This matra looks like a small curved line above a letter. It makes the sound "aa." Example: क (ka) + ा (aa ki matra) = का (kaa) like in काम (kaam) meaning "work."

2. ि (I ki matra): This matra looks like a small dot below a letter. It makes the sound "i." Example: क (ka) + ि (i ki matra) = कि (ki) like in किताब (kitab) meaning "book."

3. ी (Ee ki matra): This matra looks like a small curved line above a letter. It makes the sound "ee." Example: क (ka) + ी (ee ki matra) = की (kee) like in कीटाब (keetab) meaning "insect."

4. ु (U ki matra): This matra looks like a small "u" shape below a letter. It makes the sound "u." Example: क (ka) + ु (u ki matra) = कु (ku) like in कुत्ता (kutta) meaning "dog."

5. ू (Oo ki matra): This matra looks like a small "u" shape above a letter. It makes the sound "oo." Example: क (ka) + ू (oo ki matra) = कू (koo) like in कूदा (kooda) meaning "trash."

Remember, these matras change the way we pronounce the letters in the words. So, when we see a matra, we know how to say the word correctly!

Let's practice with some words. Read the words below and try to pronounce them correctly.

1. लड़का (ladka) meaning "boy"
2. लड़की (ladki) meaning "girl"
3. घर (ghar) meaning "house"
4. सूरज (sooraj) meaning "sun"
5. माता (maata) meaning "mother"