So far, we’ve seen cases where the ‘hamza’ was used to indicate individual sounds of each vowel in a two-vowel combination. Now let’s look at combinations of consonants and vowels and see how the ‘hamza’ is used to indicate an individual vowel sound.

20.3.1: Consonant + ‘e’ (ए)

Let’s start by looking at a very simple word - “na.e” (नए), commonly spelled as “naye”, meaning “new”. Here, the consonant ‘nuun’ is followed by a vowel sound ‘e’ (ए) created by the ‘ba.Dii ye’:

Above: The word “na.e”. The ‘ba.Dii ye’ acts as the kursii or seat for the ‘hamza’.

It is apparent from the example above that the ‘ba.Dii ye’ directly acts as the kursii or seat for the ‘hamza’.

Also, it is important to note here, that the ‘hamza’ alone is responsible for the distinct sound of the vowels ‘ae’ in the word “na.e”. In its absence, the word would simply be rendered as “ne” (ने), meaning “neither”. Look at the comparative below:

Above: Difference in meaning created by the ‘hamza’

Similarly, here’s the word “ga.e” (गए), meaning “went”:

Above: ‘gaaf’ + ‘ba.Dii ye’ = “ga.e”

20.3.2: Consonant + ‘ii’ (ई)

And now, let’s look at a combination of a consonant and the two vowels ‘a’ and ‘ii’ in the word “ka.ii” (कई), meaning “many”:

Above: The word “ka.ii”. The ‘hamza’ sits atop the ‘chhoTii ye’ directly

This is very similar to the previous case. We can again see that the ‘chhoTii ye’ provides the seat for the ‘hamza’ here.

And once again, it is the addition of the ‘hamza’ alone that helps distinguish the individual sound of the two vowels ‘a’ and ‘ii’. In the absence of the ‘hamza’, the word “ka.ii” would be simply become “kii” (की). Look at the comparative below:

Above: Difference in meaning created by the ‘hamza’

Here’s yet another word showing the same principle - “ra.iis” (रईस), meaning “nobleman/rich man”:

Above: ‘re’ + ‘chhoTii ye’ + ‘siin’ = “ra.iis”

And here again, as is evident from the example, the short-form of ‘chhoTii ye’ provides the seat for the ‘hamza’.

20.3.3: Consonant + ‘uu’ (ऊ)

Continuing this series, let’s look at examples where a consonant is followed by a long-vowel ‘uu’ (ऊ) sound. For this, let’s look at the word “ga.uu” (गऊ), meaning “cow/guileless person”:

Above: The word “ga.uu”. The ‘hamza’ is placed directly above the ‘vaao’.

And once again, similar to the cases we’ve seen above, the ‘vaao’ provides the seat for the ‘hamza’ here.

Here again, the long-vowel ‘uu’ (ऊ) sound is distinguished because of the ‘hamza’. In its absence, the word “ga.uu” would be simply become “go” (गो), meaning “although”. Look at the comparative below:

Above: Difference in meaning created by the ‘hamza’

Following these rules, let’s look at the word “ra.uuf” (रऊफ़), meaning “kind/merciful”:

Above: ‘re’ + ‘vaao’ + ‘fe’ = “ra.uuf”

Similarly, let’s look at the name of the city - “lakhna.uu” (लखनऊ), commonly spelled as “Lucknow”:

Above: ‘laam’ + ‘kh’ + ‘nuun’ + ‘vaao’ = “lakhna.uu”

20.3.4: Consonant + ‘i’ (इ)

And now, let’s take a look at a curious combination - that of a consonant and the short-vowel ‘i’ (इ) sound in the word “mutma.in” (मुतमइन), meaning “tranquil/satisfied/quiet”:

Above: The word “mutma.in”. Notice the shosha that provides the seat for the ‘hamza’.

Here’s a break-down:

Above: ‘miim’ + ‘toey’ + ‘miim’ + ‘alif zer’ + ‘nuun’ = “mutma.in”

Here again, the ‘hamza’ helps distinguish the short-vowel ‘i’ (मुतमइन) sound after the full consonant sound of ‘miim’.

And with this, we can safely say that we’ve taken a close look at ‘hamza’ from almost all possible angles.

20.3.5: Some more words

And here are a few more words for you to read and practice before we move on to the next section.

Awesome! Now let’s quickly move on to the quiz!