Vowel carriers 3 letters ੳ ਅ ੲ
These three make no sound of their own. They exist to hold a vowel at the start of a word.
ਸ and ਹ 2 letters ਸ ਹ
Two letters that sit on their own, before the rows proper begin.
Back of the mouth 5 letters ਕ ਖ ਗ ਘ ਙ
All five are made at the back of the mouth. What changes along the row is breath and tone, not position.
Middle of the mouth 5 letters ਚ ਛ ਜ ਝ ਞ
The middle of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. Same pattern as the row before it.
Tongue curled back 5 letters ਟ ਠ ਡ ਢ ਣ
The tongue curls back and taps behind the ridge. These have no English equivalent and are worth slowing down for.
Tongue on the teeth 5 letters ਤ ਥ ਦ ਧ ਨ
The tongue touches the back of the teeth — further forward than any English t or d.
Lips 5 letters ਪ ਫ ਬ ਭ ਮ
Made with the lips, and the easiest row for an English speaker.
The last row 5 letters ਯ ਰ ਲ ਵ ੜ
The leftovers, and some of the most common letters in the language.
Pairī̃ bindī letters 6 letters ਸ਼ ਖ਼ ਗ਼ ਜ਼ ਫ਼ ਲ਼
A dot underneath changes the sound. These came into Punjabi with Persian and Arabic words.