TypingPunjabi InScript: the bottom row
The bottom row holds six consonants found in almost every Punjabi sentence and the tippi, the nasal sign. 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 | Name | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| X | ੰ | tippi | Left ring |
| C | ਮ | mamma | Left middle |
| V | ਨ | nanna | Left index |
| B | ਵ | vava | Left index, reaching right |
| N | ਲ | lalla | Right index, reaching left |
| M | ਸ | sassa | Right index |
| , | , | comma | Right middle |
| . | . | full stop | Right ring |
| / | ਯ | yayya | Right little |
On this row the left hand types three consonants, ਮ, ਨ and ਵ. Until now your left hand has typed only vowel signs, so give these three extra lines.
On the Windows layout the key Z types nothing in Punjabi.
Tippi and bindi
Punjabi has two nasal signs, and they share one key.
- The tippi ੰ is the key
Xalone. It is used with mukta (no sign), sihari, aunkar and dulainkar: ਕੰਮ, ਪਿੰਡ, ਮੁੰਡਾ. - The bindi ਂ is Shift and
X. It is used with the other vowel signs: ਗਾਂ, ਨਹੀਂ, ਮੈਂ.
Both are typed after the consonant and its vowel sign. For ਪਿੰਡ type ਪ, ਿ, ੰ, ਡ. For ਨਹੀਂ type ਨ, ਹ, ੀ, ਂ.
The danda
A Punjabi sentence ends with the danda, the upright line । and not with a dot. It is Shift and the full stop key: hold the left Shift and tap . with the right ring finger.
Drill
ਮਨ ਨਲ ਵਨ ਸਬ ਨਮ ਸਮ ਲਸ ਮਲ
ਨਾਮ ਕਾਮ ਦਾਮ ਸਮਾ ਨਵਾ ਲਾਲ ਸਾਲ
ਮਾਲਾ ਵਾਲਾ ਮਕਾਨ ਸਵਾਲ ਨਮਕ ਕਲਮ
ਸੀਮਾ ਨੀਲਾ ਪੀਲਾ ਵੀਰ ਕੇਵਲ ਸਵੇਰ
ਕੰਮ ਪਿੰਡ ਰੰਗ ਸੰਗ ਲੰਮਾ ਮੁੰਡਾ ਬੰਦ
ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਰਮਨ ਹੈ। ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿੰਡ ਦੂਰ ਹੈ।
ਨੀਲਾ ਰੰਗ ਸਬ ਨੂੰ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ।
ਵੀਰ ਜੀ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਕੰਮ ਤੇ ਗਏ।
The sentences use the danda and the full vowel ਏ in ਗਏ, both typed with Shift. ਏ is Shift and S. Try them, or type the lines without those words first.
Type words as wholes
With three rows learnt, look at a whole word and let the hands type it as one movement. ਨਾਮ is left, left, left. ਕਾਮ is right, left, left. Words that stay on one hand feel slower. That comes from the layout and is not a fault in your typing.
Common trouble on this row
- ਮ and ਨ mixed up. ਮ is the middle finger on
C. ਨ is the index finger onV. Type ਮਨ ਨਮ ਮਨ ਨਮ slowly. - ਲ and ਸ mixed up. Both belong to the right index finger. ਸ is straight down from ਰ, ਲ is down and to the left.
- Tippi where a bindi belongs. Remember the rule by the vowel sign: kanna, bihari, lavan, dulavan, hora and kanaura take the bindi.
- A dot for the full stop. In Punjabi text use the danda.
The last Punjabi lesson covers Shift: the full vowels, the aspirated consonants, the addak and the letters at the foot.
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.