Bengali character notes

ISO-15919: ṃ

◌̃ nasalisation marker.

Appears over the top of an independent vowel, but over the basic consonant when a vowel sign is attached, not over the vowel sign, eg.

হ্যাঁ hæ̃ː yes

হাঁপান hɑ̃pɑn to pant

ইঁদুর ĩdur mouse, rat

In the sequence of characters, this should occur after any combining vowel sign associated with the same syllable.

ʧɔndrobindu means moon dot.

ISO-15919: ṁ

-ŋ final consonant.

বাংলা ˈbaŋla Bengali, Bangla (language)

In the sequence of characters, this should occur after any combining vowel sign associated with the same syllable. It never has a vowel sign.

Sometimes spelling is inconsistent, especially when this or ঙU+0999 LETTER NGA are used in a conjunct, eg. compare the following সাঙঘাতিক ʃɑŋɡʰɑtik terrible সাংঘাতিক ʃɑŋɡʰɑtik terrible রঙ rɔŋ colour রং rɔŋ colour

However, in certain words the spelling is fixed, eg.

বাংলা ˈbaŋla Bengali, Bangla (language)

Since this cannot support vowel signs, the word for Bengali nation (rather than language) has to be spelled with ঙU+0999 LETTER NGA, ie.

বাঙালী bɑŋɡɑliː Bengali (person)

ISO-15919: ḥ

This sign has three different effects:

• Lengthening the following consonant (with no aspiration), eg. নিঃশব্দ niʃʃɔbdo silence দুঃখ dukˈkʰo sorrow, grief
• Producing vigorous final aspiration, eg. বাঃ baʱ wow, bravo/left
• Sometimes used to mark initial abbreviations.

In the sequence of characters, this should occur after any combining vowel sign associated with the same syllable.

ISO-15919: A

ɔ independent vowel.

অঙ্ক ɔŋko mathematics

According to Radice5₂₇₅, where the vowel harmony effect applies this may be pronounced phonetically as o if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i or u.

There is no equivalent vowel sign, since this equates to the inherent vowel when preceded by a consonant.

Combinations

æ is অ্যাU+0985 LETTER A + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA to produce the sound æ for loan words.

অ্যানথ্রাক্স ænt̪ʰɾɑks anthrax

ISO-15919: Ā

a independent vowel.

আকাশ akaʃ sky

ISO-15919: I

i independent vowel.

ইংরেজ iŋred͡ʒ English

i̯ independent vowel, as the offglide of a diphthong.

ভাই bʱai̯ brother

According to Radice5₂₇₅, where the vowel harmony effect applies this may be pronounced phonetically as e if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ, o, e or a.

ISO-15919: Ī

i independent vowel.

ঈগল iɡɔl eagle

iː independent vowel.

ঈদ iːd Eid

Modern Bengali has lost the systematic distinction between short and long i vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

ISO-15919: U

u independent vowel, pronounced with the lips very rounded.

উঁচু ũt͡ʃu height

u̯ independent vowel, as the offglide of a diphthong.

লাউ lau̯ gourd

According to Radice5₂₇₅, where the vowel harmony effect applies this may be pronounced phonetically as o if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

ISO-15919: Ū

u independent vowel, pronounced with the lips very rounded.

ঊনআশি unaśi seventy-nine

Bengali has lost the systematic distinction between short and long u vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

ISO-15919: R̥

ri independent vocalic, pronounced with the lips very rounded.

ঋতু ɾit̪u season

ISO-15919: L̥

Archaic. Only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

li independent vocalic.

ISO-15919: E

e independent vowel, including where the vowel harmony effect applies if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u.

একটু ekʈu a little

æ independent vowel where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

একবার ækbɑr once

That sound is also common in words borrowed from English, eg.

একাউন্ট æ.kau̯nʈ account

Combinations

æ is also এ্যাU+098F LETTER E + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA

এ্যাডভোকেট eæɖbʰokeʈ advocate

ISO-15919: AI

oi̯ independent vowel, (diphthong).

ঐতিহাসিক oit̪iɦɑsik historical

ISO-15919: O

o independent vowel, pronounced with the lips very rounded.

ওস্তাদ ost̪ad̪ teacher

According to Radice5₂₇₅, where the vowel harmony effect applies this may be pronounced phonetically as u if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u, and ɔ if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

o̯ independent vowel, as the offglide of a diphthong.

তওবার tɔo̯.bar repentance

দুঃখও duk.kʰoo̯ sadness

Combinations

The sequence ওয়U+0993 LETTER O + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA is relatively common, and is transcribed variously in IPA as o̯w or w or u̯, eg. লওয়া lɔo̯wɑ to take দাওয়াত d̪awat̪ invitation যাওয়া ˈd͡ʒau̯a to go

In one case this occurs word-initially with the transcription wa ওয়াদা wada promise

ISO-15919: AU

ou̯ independent vowel (diphthong).

ঔষুধ ou̯ʃudʰ medecine

ISO-15919: k

k consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

কলম kɔlom pen

Combinations

kʰ is ক্ষU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA when initial.

ক্ষুদ্র kʰudro small

kkʰ is ক্ষU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA in the middle of a word.

শিক্ষা ʃikkʰɑ learning, education

The conjunct above is called khiyɔ and is often treated as a letter of the alphabet in that some dictionaries give it it's own section.

kkʰ is also ক্ষ্যU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

লক্ষ্য lokkʰo goal, intent

kkʰ is also ক্ষ্মU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

লক্ষ্মীপেঁচা lokkʰipæ̃ca barn owl

kkʰn is ক্ষ্নU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A8 LETTER NA

ISO-15919: KH

kʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

খবর kʰɔbor news

ISO-15919: g

g consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

গতকাল ɡɔtokɑl yesterday

Shape variants

When combined with ুU+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U the form গু is common in handwriting and older typefaces. The u can also be written below the consonant, especially in newspapers, ie.

গ‌ু

ISO-15919: GH

ɡʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ঘর ɡʱɔɾ house, building

ISO-15919: ṅ

ŋ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ঝিঙা ɟʱiŋa ridge gourd

ŋɡ Some speakers will pronounce a hard ɡ, while others will either soften it or omit it in a word like the following:

বাঙালী bɑŋɡɑliː Bengali (person)

ISO-15919: c

t͡ʃ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

চক্র t͡ʃɔkro wheel

Combinations

ccʰ is চ্ছ্বU+099A LETTER CA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099B LETTER CHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

ISO-15919: CH

t͡ʃʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ছাতা t͡ʃʰɑtɑ umbrella

Aspiration is stronger at the beginning of a word than in the middle or at the end.

s when pronounced by some people.

Combinations

ccʰ is চ্ছ্বU+099A LETTER CA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099B LETTER CHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

ISO-15919: j

d͡ʒ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

জগৎ d͡ʒɔɡot world

In Bangladesh this can sound more like z, especially in words of Perso-Arabic origin.

z consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

নামাজ namaz prayers

Combinations

ɡj is জ্ঞU+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099E LETTER NYA.

বিজ্ঞাপন biɡjapɔn advert

ɡ is জ্ঞU+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099E LETTER NYA at the beginning of a word.

জ্ঞান ɡæn knowledge

ɡɡ is জ্ঞU+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099E LETTER NYA between vowels.

বিজ্ঞান biɡɡæn science

jj is জ্জ্বU+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

(Note how it also changes a following a to æ.)

ISO-15919: JH

d͡ʒʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ঝড় d͡ʒʰɔɽ storm

ISO-15919: ñ

n consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o, although independent use, in words like the following, is very rare.

গাঞি gani

Usually only used in conjuncts such as ñc, ñj, ñjh, jñ, etc. eg.

অঞ্চল ɔnt͡ʃɔl region

Combinations

ɡ is জ্ঞU+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099E LETTER NYA at the beginning of a word.

জ্ঞান ɡæn knowledge

ɡɡ is জ্ঞU+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099E LETTER NYA between vowels.

বিজ্ঞান biɡɡæn science

(Note how it also changes a following a to æ.)

ISO-15919: ṭ

ʈ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

টাকা ʈɑkɑ money, wealth

Bengali retroflex consonants do not involve the tongue being curled around or pointed vertically upwards, as in other Indic languages. The tip of the tongue is touched against the alveolar ridge.

ISO-15919: ṬH

ʈʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ঠাণ্ডা ʈʰɑnɖɑ cold

ISO-15919: ḍ

ɖ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ডাক্তার ɖakt̪aɾ doctor

Combinations

ISO-15919: ɽ

ɽ is ড়U+09A1 LETTER DDA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA

ঘোড়া ɡʱoɽa horse

ISO-15919: ḌH

ɖʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ঢেউ ɖʰeu̯ wave

Rather uncommon, even though it is used in the name of the Bangladeshi capital, and some other quite common words, eg.

ঢাকা ˈɖʱaka Dhaka

Combinations

ISO-15919: ɽ

ɽ(ʱ) is ঢ়U+09A2 LETTER DDHA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA

আষাঢ় ɑʃɑɽ June-July

রাঢ় raɽʱ Radha

ISO-15919: ṇ

n consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

হরিণ horin deer

Combinations

nʱ nn is হ্ণU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A3 LETTER NNA

ISO-15919: t

t consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o. The tongue is further forward than the English t.

তারা tɑrɑ star

Combinations

tt is ত্বU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ɡuruttɔpurnɔ important

tt is also ত্মU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

আত্মহত্যা at.to.ɦot.ta suicide

tt is also ত্ম্যU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

tr is ত্রU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA

যাত্রা d͡ʒɑtrɑ journey

st is স্তU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA

পুস্তক pustɔk book

stt is স্ত্যU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

str is স্ত্রU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA

স্ত্রী stri woman, female

Special vowel combinations

The syllable ntu, ন্তুU+09A8 LETTER NA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U, can be written in modern typefaces with the u below the nt conjunct, but in older print a special arrangement incorporates all three sounds together, eg.

কিন্তু kint̪u but

The combination tru is represented by ত্রুU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA + U+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U.

Khanda ta

In some words a t that has no following inherent or other vowel may have a shape like ৎ. It is called খণ্ড ত kʰn̈͞ɖ t kʰɔnɖo tɔ. It either comes at the end of words, or before a consonant that doesn't naturally combine with tɔ, eg. হঠাৎ hɔʈʰɑt suddenly উৎসব utʃɔb festival

Many such words, however, use ত. It's not possible to say which will be used.

Unicode 4.1 added a separate character for khɔɳɖȏ tɔ, ৎU+09CE LETTER KHANDA TA, which should be used when this shape is needed. (This replaces a previous approach that required the use of ত্‍U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+200D ZERO WIDTH JOINER.)

ISO-15919: TH

tʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

থামা tʰɑmɑ to stop

When the English sound 'th' as in 'thin' is transliterated into Bengali, this is the sound that is used.

Combinations

ttʰ is থ্বU+09A5 LETTER THA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

stʰ is স্থU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A5 LETTER THA

স্বাস্থ্য ʃastʰjɔ health

ISO-15919: d

d consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o. Produced with the teeth firmly against the top front teeth.

দাদী dɑdiː grandmother

When the English sound 'th' as in 'then' is transliterated into Bengali, this is the sound that is used.

Combinations

d is দ্বU+09A6 LETTER DA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

দ্বীপ d̪ip island

dd is দ্ব্যU+09A6 LETTER DA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

dd is also দ্মU+09A6 LETTER DA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

পদ্ম pɔd̪dɔ lotus

ISO-15919: DH

dʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ধন্যবাদ dʰonjobɑd thank you

Combinations

dʰ~ddʰ is also ধ্বU+09A7 LETTER DHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

ব্যঞ্জনধ্বনি bændʒɔnd̪ʱoni consonant

ISO-15919: n

n consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

নদী nod̪i river

Special vowel combinations

The syllable ntu can be written in modern typefaces with the u below the nt conjunct, but in older print a special arrangement incorporates all three sounds together, eg.

কিন্তু kint̪u but

Combinations

kkʰn is ক্ষ্নU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A8 LETTER NA

sn is স্নU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A8 LETTER NA

স্নেহ ˈsneɦo affection

nʱ nn is হ্নU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A8 LETTER NA

ISO-15919: p

p consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

পথ pɔtʰ path, road

ISO-15919: PH

pʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ফুটি pʰuʈi melon

f consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

সফর sɔfor travel

pf consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ফটো pfoʈo photo

Some pronounce as pʰ with aspiration, but many (especially in Bangladesh) pronounce more like f. In West Bengal it is more like the pf in the German 'pfennig', and this is a fairly standard rendering.

ISO-15919: b

b consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o when not in a conjunct.

বড় ˈbɔɽo big, large

The v in Sanskrit has disappeared in Bengali, to be replaced by b, eg.

বিষ্ণু biʃnu Vishnu

Combinations

Called bɔ-pfɔlɑ ব-ফলা when non-initial in conjuncts, it affects pronunciation in the following ways.

∅ as a second element in a word initial conjunct, eg.

স্বামী ˈs̠ä.miˑ husband

জ্বর d͡ʒɔr fever

Lengthens consonants in conjuncts between vowels, eg.

বিশ্ব biʃʃo universe

সম্বন্ধে ʃɔmmɔndʰe about

In words of English or Sanskrit origin it is sometimes still pronounced b in the conjunct ম্বU+09AE LETTER MA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA, eg.

নম্বর nɔmbor number

Unusual conjunct pronunciations

bʱ is হ্বU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

জিহ্বা d͡ʒiu̯bʱa/d͡ʒiu̯βa tongue

tt is ত্বU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ɡuruttɔpurnɔ important

ttʰ is থ্বU+09A5 LETTER THA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

dd is দ্বU+09A6 LETTER DA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

মালদ্বীপ mald̪ip Maldives

dd is দ্ব্যU+09A6 LETTER DA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

ddʰ is ধ্বU+09A7 LETTER DHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

ব্যঞ্জনধ্বনি bændʒɔnd̪ʱoni consonant

ccʰ is চ্ছ্বU+099A LETTER CA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099B LETTER CHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

ʃʃ is শ্বU+09B6 LETTER SHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

বিশ্ব biʃʃo universe

mm mb is ম্বU+09AE LETTER MA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

সম্বন্ধে ʃɔmmɔndʰe about

jj is জ্জ্বU+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+099C LETTER JA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

ISO-15919: BH

bʰ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ভাল bʱɑlo good

v sometimes.

ভিয়েতনাম vijet̪nam Vietnam

ISO-15919: m

m consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

মজার mɔd͡ʒɑr funny

Combinations

Lengthens consonants as the final letter in a conjunct.

tt is ত্মU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

আত্মহত্যা at.to.ɦot.ta suicide

tt is ত্ম্যU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

dd is দ্মU+09A6 LETTER DA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

পদ্ম pɔd̪dɔ lotus

kkʰ is ক্ষ্মU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

লক্ষ্মীপেঁচা lokkʰipæ̃ca barn owl

sri is স্মৃU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA + U+09C3 VOWEL SIGN VOCALIC R with a vocalic r vowel sign.

স্মৃতি sriti memory

ʃʃ is শ্মU+09B6 LETTER SHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

শ্মশ্রু ʃwɔʃɾu beard

ʃʃ is ষ্মU+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

গ্রীষ্ম ɡɾiʃʃo summer

ʃʃ is স্মU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA, with perhaps some nasalisation of the preceding vowel.

ভস্ম bʰɔ̃ʃʃo ashes

mm mb is ম্বU+09AE LETTER MA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

সম্বন্ধে ʃɔmmɔndʰe about

mʱ mm is হ্মU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

ফাহ্মী faɦmi surname

ll is ল্মU+09B2 LETTER LA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

ISO-15919: y

d͡ʒ- consonant/consonant lengthener with inherent vowel ɔ o, when not in a conjunct, and usually at the beginning of a word.

যখন d͡ʒɔkʰon when

-æ consonant/consonant lengthener with inherent vowel ɔ o.

Conjunct pronunciations

When it occurs as the last member of a consonant cluster it has a special shape , and is called ʤɔ-pfɔlɑ য-ফলা. The effects on pronunciation are as follows:

• Lengthens consonants when non-initial in a cluster, eg. জন্য d͡ʒɔnno for

• æ when followed by the vowel sign াU+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA, eg. হ্যাঁ hæ̃ː yes ব্যাঙ্ক bæŋk bank

• There are exceptions to the previous rule, when the a-kar produces its normal value, eg. ব্যাখ্যা bækkʰa explanation সন্ধ্যা ʃonddʰa evening

• æ when there is no vowel sign, eg. ব্যথা bætʰɑ pain

  According to Radice, vowel harmony may phonetically produce e when the following syllable is i

Unusual conjunct pronunciations

Conjuncts formed with y̌ɔ-phɔla are unusual because the y̌ɔ-phɔla is reduced but not the preceding base, eg. ক + য = ক্য. This is the default form when y̌ɔ-phɔla follows ্U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA.

æ is ্যU+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

æ is ্যাU+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA

tt is ত্ম্যU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

dd is দ্ব্যU+09A6 LETTER DA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

kkʰ is ক্ষ্যU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

লক্ষ্য lokkʰo goal, intent

stt is স্ত্যU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

jj is হ্যU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

Conjuncts with RA

An exception to the rule for shaping of y̌ɔ-phɔla can occur when রU+09B0 LETTER RA is the first letter in the conjunct. This combination is typically rendered using the reph and a full ɔntɔḥsthô y̌ɔ, eg.

সূর্য ʃurd͡ʒo sun

Sometimes, however, this same sequence of characters may be rendered using the ordinary y̌ɔ-phɔla after a full form rɔ, ie. র‌্য. The Unicode Standard recommends that this be achieved using U+200D ZERO WIDTH JOINER, as the sequence র‌্যU+09B0 LETTER RA + U+200C ZERO WIDTH NON-JOINER + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA.

Following independent vowels

y̌ɔ-phɔla can also be used after independent vowels to create the standalone sound æ. It is used mostly in transliterations of borrowed words, eg.

æ is অ্যাU+0985 LETTER A + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA

অ্যাটর্নি ɔæʈorni attorney

হোয়াটসঅ্যাপ hoyɑʈʃɔæp WhatsApp

æ is also এ্যাU+098F LETTER E + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA

এ্যাডভোকেট eæɖbʰokeʈ advocate

With nukta

This code point is very often followed by ়U+09BC SIGN NUKTA, in which cases it represents the sounds j, w, e. See also য়U+09DF LETTER YYA.

ISO-15919: ẏ

j e̯ is য়U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA

কুশিয়ার kuʃijaɾ sugarcane

ISO-15919: r

r consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o, rolled, usually occurs word-initially.

রওয়া rowɑ to remain

ɾ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o, flap, tends to be the pronunciation in medial and final position.

সমীরণ ʃomiɾɔn wind, air

There is no decomposition for this character, even though it looks like other characters with nukta.

Conjunct appearance

When it occurs as the second element in a conjunct it is typically written as a wavy horizontal line called rɔ-pfɔlɑ (র-ফলা), so ব + র = ব্র, eg.

যাত্রা d͡ʒɑtrɑ journey

When it occurs as the first element in a conjunct it is typically written as a diagonal stroke above the consonant that follows it called repf (রেফ), so র + য = র্য, eg.

বর্ণ bɔrno colour

Unusual vowel combinations

To avoid clashing with the dot, the vowel sign for ুU+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U appears to the side when attached to rɔ, eg. শুরু ʃuɾu start, beginning

Similarly, the vowel sign for ূU+09C2 VOWEL SIGN UU appears to the side, ie. রূ, when attached to rɔ, eg. রূপ ruːp figure, form

Combinations

tr is ত্রU+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA

যাত্রা d͡ʒɑtrɑ journey

sr is শ্রU+09B6 LETTER SHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA

বিশ্রী bisɾi ugly

str is স্ত্রU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA

স্ত্রী stri woman, female

ISO-15919: l

l consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o. Never a dark l.

লাল lal red

Unusual conjunct pronunciations

ll is ল্মU+09B2 LETTER LA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

ISO-15919: ś

ʃ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

শাপ ʃɑp curse

s possible in Bangladesh, or in English words that use the sound s.

Unusual vowel combinations

When combined with u the form শু is common in handwriting and older typefaces, eg.

শুধু ʃudʰu only

The u can also be written below the consonant, especially in newspapers.

Combinations

sr is শ্রU+09B6 LETTER SHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA

বিশ্রী bisɾi ugly

ʃʃ is শ্বU+09B6 LETTER SHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

বিশ্ব biʃʃo universe

ʃ(ʃ) is শ্মU+09B6 LETTER SHA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

শ্মশান ʃoʃɐn cremation

ISO-15919: ṣ

ʃ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

ষড়যন্ত্র ʃɔɽod͡ʒɔntro conspiracy

মানুষ manuʃ person, man

Combinations

This character is a component of the commonly occurring consonant cluster ক্ষU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA.

শিক্ষা ʃikkʰɑ learning, education

Unusual conjunct pronunciations

kʰ kːʰ is ক্ষU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA

ক্ষণ kʃon moment

বৃক্ষ brikkʰo tree

kkʰ is ক্ষ্যU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

লক্ষ্য lokkʰo goal, intent

kkʰ is ক্ষ্মU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

লক্ষ্মীপেঁচা lokkʰipæ̃ca barn owl

kkʰn is ক্ষ্নU+0995 LETTER KA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A8 LETTER NA

ʃʃ is ষ্মU+09B7 LETTER SSA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

গ্রীষ্ম ɡɾiʃʃo summer

ISO-15919: s

ʃ consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

সকাল ʃɔkɑl morning

s possible in Bangladesh, or in English words that use the sound s.

Conjunct pronunciations

st is স্তU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA

ওস্তাদ ost̪ad̪ teacher

stt is স্ত্যU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

str is স্ত্রU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B0 LETTER RA

স্ত্রী stri woman, female

stʰ is স্থU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A5 LETTER THA

পাকস্থলী pakɔstʰoli stomach

sn is স্নU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A8 LETTER NA

স্নেহ ˈsneɦo affection

sri is স্মৃU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA + U+09C3 VOWEL SIGN VOCALIC R

স্মৃতি sriti memory

ʃʃ is স্মU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA, may involve some nasalisation of the preceding vowel.

ভস্ম bʰɔ̃ʃʃo ashes

ISO-15919: h

h consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o.

হল hɔl (student) hall

Shape variants

hṛ traditionally looks like হৃ, although modern computer typefaces tend to put the normal vowel sign under the consonant, eg.

হৃদয় hridɔj heart

Also, hu traditionally looks like হু.

Combinations

bʱ is হ্বU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AC LETTER BA

জিহ্বা d͡ʒiu̯bʱa/d͡ʒiu̯βa tongue

mʱ mm is হ্মU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA

ফাহ্মী faɦmi surname

nʱ nn is হ্নU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A8 LETTER NA

nʱ nn is হ্ণU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09A3 LETTER NNA

jj is হ্যU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA

Extends the alphabet to create more characters. Used in the following combinations:

Combinations

ISO-15919: ɽ

ɽ is ড়U+09A1 LETTER DDA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA

গাড়ি ɡaɽi car

ISO-15919: ɽ

ɽ(ʱ) is ঢ়U+09A2 LETTER DDHA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA

রাঢ় raɽʱ Radha

ISO-15919: ẏ

j e̯ is য়U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA

শয়তান ʃɔjt̪an devil, demon

In the sequence of characters in a syllable, this comes before any combining vowel sign or virama.

A set of atomic characters are encoded in the Unicode Bengali block, but the Standard recommends the use of the decomposed sequences instead. The atomic characters are:

• ড়U+09DC LETTER RRA
• ঢ়U+09DD LETTER RHA
• য়U+09DF LETTER YYA

A Sanskrit-derived symbol that is used in modern Bengali to lengthen vowel sounds,13 eg.

কিঽঽঽ? kiiii Whaaatt?

শুনঽঽঽ ʃunooo Listennn

ISO-15919: ā

a vowel sign.

কাটা kɑʈɑ to cut

æ after জ্ঞ ʤ͓ñ.

জ্ঞান ɡæn knowledge

বিজ্ঞান biɡɡæn science

æ also when following y̌ɔ-phɔla, eg.

হ্যাঁ hæ̃ː yes

ব্যাঙ্ক bæŋk bank

There are exceptions to the previous rule, when the a-kar produces its normal value, eg.

ব্যাখ্যা bækkʰa explanation

সন্ধ্যা ʃonddʰa evening

Combinations

æ is ্যাU+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA

æ is এ্যাU+098F LETTER E + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA

æ is অ্যাU+0985 LETTER A + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA

ISO-15919: i

i vowel sign.

বিড়ি biɽi cigarette

e where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e or a.

বিড়াল beɽɑl cat

This vowel sign appears to the left of the base consonant.

ISO-15919: ī

i vowel sign.

তটিনী toʈini river

Bengali has generally lost the distinction between short and long i vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

ISO-15919: u

u vowel sign, pronounced with the lips very rounded.

মুখ mukʰ face, mouth

Shape variants.

রুU+09B0 LETTER RA + U+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U moves the vowel-sign to the side, which avoids clashes with the dot, eg.

রুগী ruɡiː ill, sick

শুU+09B6 LETTER SHA + U+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U and
গুU+0997 LETTER GA + U+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U are common in handwriting and older typefaces, eg.

শুধু ʃudʰu only

বেগুন beɡun eggplant

In more modern typefaces, especially in newspapers, the vowel-sign may be simply appended below the preceding character, rather than using these ligated forms.

হুU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09C1 VOWEL SIGN U is another traditional ligature.

ISO-15919: ū

u vowel sign, pronounced with the lips very rounded.

খূব kʰub very

Bengali has lost the rigourous distinction between short and long u vowels in pronunciation, but retains the difference in spelling.

Shape variants.

রূ [U+09B0 BENGALI LETTER RA + U+09C2 BENGALI VOWEL SIGN UU] moves the vowel-sign to the side, avoiding a clash with the dot, eg.

রূপ ruːp figure, form

ISO-15919: R̥

ri vocalic vowel sign.

বৃহৎ brihɔt huge

Shape variants.

The vowel sign is attached to the bottom of the consonant, but some computer typefaces position it slightly to the right.

হৃU+09B9 LETTER HA + U+09C3 VOWEL SIGN VOCALIC R is the traditional form for this combination, but modern computer typefaces tend to put the normal vowel sign under the consonant.

হৃদয় hridɔj heart

Combinations

sri is স্মৃU+09B8 LETTER SA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+09AE LETTER MA + U+09C3 VOWEL SIGN VOCALIC R

স্মৃতি sriti memory

ISO-15919: R̥̄

Historic character, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

ISO-15919: e

e vowel sign, including where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u.

বেগ beɡ speed

বেগুন beɡun eggplant

æ, phonetically, where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

বেলা bælɑ time of day

The pronounciation æ is generally used in common words and certain verb forms, eg.

কেন kæ.noː why

কেমন kæmɔn how

Some speakers in Bangladesh may not clearly distinguish between the æ and e, but they do know which is appropriate if asked.

Shape variants.

In higher quality printing the horizontal line may be omitted at the beginning of a word.

This vowel sign is displayed before its base, but stored after.

ISO-15919: ai

oi̯ vowel sign, diphthong.

তৈরি toi̯ri to make

The same sound can also be represented by the inherent vowel plus ইU+0987 LETTER I, eg.

বই boi̯ book

The combination ওইU+0993 LETTER O + U+0987 LETTER I can also occur, eg.

ওই oi̯ demonstrative

This vowel sign is displayed before its base, but stored after.

ISO-15919: o

o vowel sign, pronounced with the lips very rounded.

বোন bon sister

u where the vowel harmony effect applies, if the vowel in the following syllable is one of i u.

কোকিল kukil cuckoo

ʊ originally, and that pronunciation sometimes persists alongside the o that came from Sanskrit13.

নোংরা nʊŋra foul

ɔ if the vowel in the following syllable is one of ɔ o e a.

বোকা bɔkɑ fool

Inconsistent spellings sometimes arise with this letter due to the sound o being also an inherent vowel sound, eg. bhalo, good, well can be spelled either ভালো or ভাল.

Alternative code points.

The vowel sign appears on both sides of the base. The vowel sign can also be represented in Unicode by ে + াU+09C7 VOWEL SIGN E + U+09BE VOWEL SIGN AA, but this is for compatibility with encodings that represent the vowel in this way. Normally you should not use that approach.

ISO-15919: au

ou̯ vowel sign, diphthong.

নৌকো nou̯ko boat

Alternative code points.

The vowel sign appears on both sides of the base. The vowel sign can also be represented in Unicode by ে + ৗU+09C7 VOWEL SIGN E + U+09D7 AU LENGTH MARK, but this is for compatibility with encodings that represent the vowel in this way. Normally you should not use that approach.

Used between two consonants to create a conjunct form, in which case it is invisible, eg. ক্ষ [U+0995 BENGALI LETTER KA + U+09CD BENGALI SIGN VIRAMA + U+09B7 BENGALI LETTER SSA]

Sometimes it is visible below the first consonant in a cluster, either because the font doesn't have a particular conjunct ligature, but also in places where the phonology is unusual, eg. ফ্‌ল্যাট pʰlæʈ flat লান্‌চ lɑnt͡ʃ lunch

These may also be spelled with conjuncts, eg. ফ্ল্যাট pʰlæʈ flat

It is also quite common to see it when used to distinguish words that are etymologically related, but distinct phonetically, such as উদ্‌যাপন and উদ্যান.

This character should always be positioned before any combining vowel mark in memory.

ISO-15919: ṯ

-t final consonant, with the tongue further forward than the English t. Used either at the end of a word, or before a consonant that doesn't naturally combine with তU+09A4 LETTER TA.

হঠাৎ hɔʈʰɑt suddenly

উৎসব utʃɔb festival

সৎমা ʃɔtmɑ step-mother

This is a variant form of তU+09A4 LETTER TA that was added to Unicode 4.1 as a separate character and should be used when this shape is needed. (It replaces an earlier approach that required the use of ত্‍U+09A4 LETTER TA + U+09CD SIGN VIRAMA + U+200D ZERO WIDTH JOINER.)

Many words, however, still use ত. It's not possible to say which will be used, eg.

হাত ɦat̪ hand

ভারত ˈbʱa.ɾɔt̪ India

ভিয়েতনাম vijet̪nam Vietnam

Not used alone. Provided for compatibility with character sets that represent ৌU+09CC VOWEL SIGN AU as two characters, but is also present when the latter vowel-sign is in a decomposed normalisation form.

ISO-15919: ɽ

Infrequent.

ɽ atomic consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o. This is normally written using the sequence ড়U+09A1 LETTER DDA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA, ie.

ওড়া oɽɑ to fly

Curl tongue as if for ɖ but before making contact with the alveolar ridge flap the tongue down smartly to make audible contact with the bottom of the mouth.

In Sanskrit this was merely an allophone of ডU+09A1 LETTER DDA between vowels. The distinguishing dot was added to the Bengali script in the 19th century. Now it is regarded as a letter of the alphabet.

ISO-15919: ɽ

A very rare letter, the only common word in which it appears is the Bengali month shown in the example below.

ɽʱ precomposed consonant with inherent vowel ɔ o. Normally written using the decomposed form ঢ়U+09A2 LETTER DDHA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA, eg.

আষাঢ় ɑʃɑɽ June-July

Theoretically the aspirated version of ড়U+09DC LETTER RRA, but in practice not normally pronounced with aspiration. Occasionally, however, it may be, as in

রাঢ় raɽʱ Radha

ISO-15919: ẏ

A common letter, normally written using the decomposed form য়U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA. The dot was added in the 19th century, to contrast this with ɔntɔḥsthô y̌ɔ (যU+09AF LETTER YA).

It represents one of the following sounds.

j as a simple consonant, especially between i...e, a...u, or e...e, eg.

দরিয়া d̪orija sea

ভিয়েতনাম vijet̪nam Vietnam

e̯ after another vowel when creating a diphthong, particularly after ɔ, a or o, eg.

ভয় bʱɔe̯ fear, dread

Sometimes, however, it is scarcely pronounced at all, eg.

মেয়ে ˈme.e girl, daughter

Combination with LETTER O

The sequence ওয়U+0993 LETTER O + U+09AF LETTER YA + U+09BC SIGN NUKTA is relatively common, and is transcribed variously in IPA as o̯w or w or u̯, eg.

লওয়া lɔo̯wɑ to take

দাওয়াত d̪awat̪ invitation

যাওয়া ˈd͡ʒau̯a to go

In one case this occurs word-initially with the transcription wa

ওয়াদা wada promise

Historic character, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

Historic character, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

ISO-15919: L̥

Historic character, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

ISO-15919: L̥̄

Historic character, only used to write Sanskrit in Bengali.

ISO-15919: 0

0 digit.

ISO-15919: 1

1 digit.

ISO-15919: 2

2 digit.

ISO-15919: 3

3 digit.

ISO-15919: 4

4 digit.

ISO-15919: 5

5 digit.

ISO-15919: 6

6 digit.

ISO-15919: 7

7 digit.

ISO-15919: 8

8 digit.

ISO-15919: 9

9 digit.

ISO-15919: r

Assamese version of Bengali রU+09B0 LETTER RA. Not used in Bengali.

ISO-15919: v

Assamese version of Bengali বU+09AC LETTER BA. Not used in Bengali.

Denotes rupees in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ১৲ 1 rupayā (1 rupee).

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৷৴৹ 9 ānā (9 ana); ৸৴৹ 13 ānā (13 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৵৹ 6 ānā (6 ana); ৸৵৹ 14 ānā (14 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৷৶৹ 11 ānā (11 ana); ৸৶৹ 15 ānā (15 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৷৹ 4 ānā (4 ana); ৷৷৴৹ 9 ānā (9 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৸৹ 12 ānā (12 ana); ৸৵৹ 14 ānā (14 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Part of an additive/subtractive system for specifying the number of ānā in the Bengali notation for currency used up to 1957, eg. ৴৹ 1 ānā (1 ana); ৸৶৹ 15 ānā (15 ana). There are 16 ana in one rupee, and the system works in multiples of 4. For a detailed explanation of usage, see reference ¹.

Placed before a dead person's name.