TypingHindi InScript: the bottom row
The bottom row holds six consonants that appear in almost every Hindi sentence, and the anusvara, the dot above a letter. After this lesson you can type simple sentences.
The keys
little finger ring middle index (left hand: keys on the left half; right hand: the right half; thumbs: space bar)
Small grey letter: the key's English label. Large: what it types. Top corner: with Shift.
| English key | Types | Finger |
|---|---|---|
| X | ं (anusvara) | Left ring |
| C | म | Left middle |
| V | न | Left index |
| B | व | Left index, reaching right |
| N | ल | Right index, reaching left |
| M | स | Right index |
| , | , (comma) | Right middle |
| . | . (full stop) | Right ring |
| / | य | Right little |
Here the neat rule of matras on the left and consonants on the right bends a little: म, न and व are typed by the left hand. Give them extra practice, because your left hand has typed only matras so far.
The key Z types a rare vowel sign that ordinary Hindi does not use, so you can ignore it.
The anusvara
The key X types the anusvara ं. It is typed after the letter it sits on, and after that letter's matra if there is one. For हिंदी type ह, ि, ं, द, ी. For संसार type स, ं, स, ा, र.
The Hindi full stop
Hindi sentences end with the danda, the upright line । and not with a dot. It is typed with Shift and the full stop key. Hold the left Shift with the left little finger and tap . with the right ring finger. The drill sentences below end with it.
Drill
मन नल वन लय सब यम नम सम
नाम काम दाम समय नया लाल साल
माला वाला मकान सवाल नमक कलम
सीमा नीला पीला वीर लेकिन केवल
संसार मंदिर हिंदी रंग संग लंबा
यह मेरा नाम है। वह मेरा मकान है।
रमन का काम समय पर हो गया।
नीला रंग सबको पसंद है।
The sentences use है, which needs ै from the top row, and । which needs Shift. If the danda is new to you, type the lines once without it and then with it.
Words now, letters no longer
With three rows learnt, stop thinking in letters. Look at the word नाम and let the hands type न, ा, म as one movement: left, left, left in this case. Look at काम: right, left, left. Some words stay on one hand and feel slower. That is the nature of the layout and not a fault in your typing.
Common trouble on this row
- म and न mixed up. म is the middle finger on
C. न is the index finger onV. Type मन नम मन नम slowly. - ल and स mixed up. Both belong to the right index finger. स is straight down from र, ल is down and to the left.
- The anusvara typed before the matra. In हिंदी the order is ह ि ं. If the dot lands on the wrong letter, check the order.
- A dot used for the full stop. In Hindi text use the danda, Shift and
.
The next lesson covers Shift: the full vowels and the aspirated consonants such as ख, घ, भ and ध.
This is an independent practice site. It is not connected with any examination body, keyboard maker or software company. A typing speed measured here is for your own practice. It is not a certificate, and an examination may measure speed in its own way.