Hindi Matras (मात्राएँ) Explained: A Simple Guide for Parents
Matras (मात्राएँ) are the vowel signs that attach to a consonant to change its sound — for example क (ka) becomes का (kaa), कि (ki), की (kee) and so on. There are twelve forms in all: the plain consonant with its built-in ‘a’ sound, plus eleven vowel signs. Learning where each matra sits — before, after, above or below the letter — is the step that turns single letters into real reading. This guide explains every matra in plain language and shows you how to teach them at home.
What Are Matras?
In Hindi, every consonant already carries a built-in ‘a’ sound — क is “ka”, not just “k”. To make other vowel sounds, we add a small mark called a matra (मात्रा). The matra doesn't change the consonant; it changes the vowel that follows it.
So the same letter क can become का, कि, की, कु, कू, के, कै, को, कौ, कं and कः — twelve forms in total, one for each vowel. Master the matras for one consonant and the exact same pattern works for every other consonant.
- A matra is a vowel sign added to a consonant
- The plain consonant (क) already has the ‘a’ sound
- Eleven matras + the plain form = 12 forms per consonant
- The pattern is identical for every consonant
The 12 Forms, Using क as an Example
Here is the full set for क. Say each one aloud with your child, pointing to the small mark that changes the sound.
- क (ka) — no matra, the plain ‘a’ sound
- का (kaa) ा • कि (ki) ि • की (kee) ी
- कु (ku) ु • कू (koo) ू • के (ke) े • कै (kai) ै
- को (ko) ो • कौ (kau) ौ • कं (kan) ं • कः (kah) ः
Where Each Matra Sits
This is the part that surprises many children — matras don't all go in the same place. Some sit after the letter, some before it, some above and some below. Pointing this out clearly saves a lot of confusion.
- After the letter: ा (का), ी (की), ो (को), ौ (कौ)
- Before the letter: ि — it's written first but read after, as in कि
- Above the letter: े (के), ै (कै), and the dot ं (कं)
- Below the letter: ु (कु), ू (कू)
Matras vs Barakhadi — How They Connect
Parents often ask how matras relate to barakhadi. They're two sides of the same thing: the matras are the vowel signs, and barakhadi (बारहखड़ी) is the full chart you get when you apply all twelve of them to a consonant.
In other words, learn the matras to understand the marks, then practise barakhadi to read and write every combination fluently.
Common Matra Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)
A few matras trip children up, and that's completely normal. Knowing them in advance helps you guide gently.
- कि vs की — the ‘i’ sign goes before, the ‘ee’ sign after; say them slowly side by side
- कु and कू — the marks go below; trace them together a few times
- Forgetting the dot ं (anusvara) — point out how it changes the sound
- Mixing ो and ौ — show that कौ has one extra stroke
How to Teach Matras Step by Step
Teach one matra at a time, always with a consonant your child already knows well (क works beautifully). Keep sessions short and playful.
- 1. Start with का, then कि, की — one new matra a day
- 2. Say the sound first, then trace the combined form
- 3. Point to where the matra sits (before / after / above / below)
- 4. Read a simple word that uses it — कि in किताब, की in नदी
- 5. Revise yesterday's matra before adding the next
Practise Matras at Home
You only need a printed chart, a pencil and five minutes a day. Our free Hindi barakhadi worksheets show every consonant with all twelve matras, with big tracing lines your child can practise again and again.
If you'd like the whole journey — letters, matras, barakhadi, numbers, reading and writing — in one clean, print-ready book, the Complete Hindi Worksheets Pack gathers it all into a single PDF, ready to print at home.
- Free Hindi barakhadi worksheets — every consonant × 12 matras
- Free Hindi varnamala sheets to revise the letters first
- Complete Hindi Pack — the full set in one printable PDF
Put it into practice
Bring this guide to life with our free printable worksheets.