Marathi Pronunciation: The ts and dz Sounds and Other Features

Marathi shares its script with Hindi, but its pronunciation has some notable differences. Knowing them helps you sound more natural.

The ts and dz sounds

In Marathi, the letters च and ज are pronounced in two ways:

• Before the vowels अ, आ, उ, ऊ, ओ: च often sounds like ts and ज like dz.
• Before इ, ई, ए, ऐ: they sound like ch and j, as in Hindi.

Examples:

Word	Meaning	Typical pronunciation
चहा	tea	tsahā
जग	world	dzag
चिमणी	sparrow	chimaṇī
जेवण	meal	jevaṇ

This ts/dz feature is one of the clearest markers of Marathi speech.

The letter ळ

ळ is a retroflex lateral, made by curling the tongue back. It is common in Marathi words like वेळ (time), कमळ (lotus) and शाळा (school).

Vowel length

Marathi keeps the difference between short and long vowels in writing, and it matters in spelling.

Retroflex and dental consonants

• ट ठ ड ढ ण: tongue curled back.
• त थ द ध न: tongue against the teeth.

Aspirated letters

Aspirated consonants (ख, घ, छ, झ, ठ, ढ, थ, ध, फ, भ) carry a puff of air. Compare बाळ (baby), with no puff, and भाऊ (brother), with a puff.

The schwa

The inherent अ is usually pronounced in Marathi, whereas Hindi often drops it at the end of words.

Nasal sounds

The anusvara ं marks a nasal sound, as in आंबा (mango) and मुंबई (Mumbai).

Practice words

• पाऊस (rain)
• भाकरी (flatbread)
• महाराष्ट्र (Maharashtra)

Tips

1. Listen to native speakers for the ts/dz sounds.
2. Practise ळ slowly.
3. Use the dictionary to check spellings.

Look up any word with English Marathi Dictionary →