TypingPunjabi InScript: the top row
The top row adds the kanna ਾ, the most used vowel sign in Punjabi, with the bihari ੀ and six common consonants. With the home row and this row you can type many everyday words.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q | ੌ | kanaura | Left little |
| W | ੈ | dulavan | Left ring |
| E | ਾ | kanna | Left middle |
| R | ੀ | bihari | Left index |
| T | ੂ | dulainkar | Left index, reaching right |
| Y | ਬ | babba | Right index, reaching left |
| U | ਹ | haha | Right index |
| I | ਗ | gagga | Right middle |
| O | ਦ | dadda | Right ring |
| P | ਜ | jajja | Right little |
| [ | ਡ | dadda (retroflex) | Right little, reaching right |
| ] | ਼ | pair bindi | Right little, reaching further |
The fingers reach up as they do for the English top row. Vowel signs stay on the left hand and consonants on the right.
Short and long signs sit together
The layout pairs each short sign with its long one under the same finger. The left index finger has the sihari ਿ at home and the bihari ੀ above it, and the aunkar ੁ at home with the dulainkar ੂ above. The little finger has the hora ੋ at home and the kanaura ੌ above, and the ring finger has the lavan ੇ with the dulavan ੈ above.
The pair bindi
The key ] types the dot written at the foot of a letter. It is typed after the consonant: ਜ then the dot gives ਜ਼, as in ਜ਼ਰੂਰ and ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ. The same dot makes ਖ਼, ਗ਼ and ਫ਼. For ਸ਼ and ਲ਼ there are also ready-made keys with Shift, taught in a later lesson.
Drill
ਕਾ ਕੀ ਕੂ ਕੈ ਕੌ ਦਾ ਦੀ ਦੂ ਜਾ ਜੀ
ਬਾਤ ਹਾਰ ਦਾਦਾ ਜਾਗ ਡਾਕ ਰਾਜਾ ਤਾਰਾ
ਗੀਤ ਦੀਪ ਜੀਤ ਬੀਜ ਹੀਰਾ ਪੀਤਾ ਟੀਕਾ
ਦੂਰ ਬੂਟ ਜੂਤਾ ਹਰਾ ਕਾਰ ਚਾਚਾ ਪਾਪਾ
ਪੈਰ ਬੈਠ ਕੌਰ ਦੌਰਾ ਗੈਰ ਜੈਕਾਰਾ
ਬਾਹਰ ਗਰੀਬ ਜਹਾਜ਼ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ
ਰਾਜਾ ਦੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਬਾਹਰ ਪਈ
ਦਾਦੀ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ ਗਈ, ਪਾਪਾ ਕਾਰ ਕੋਲ
A few drill words need a Shift letter from a later lesson: ਠ in ਬੈਠ, the full vowel ਈ in ਪਈ and ਗਈ, and ਲ in ਕੋਲ from the bottom row. If you have not learnt them, leave those words out for now, or try them: ਠ is Shift and ', ਈ is Shift and R, ਲ is N.
The kanna is everywhere
The key E will be your busiest key in Punjabi, because it types the kanna. The left middle finger must reach up for it and return at once to the halant key. The pair ਕ then ਾ, right hand then left, should become one smooth roll: ਕਾ, ਰਾ, ਤਾ, ਚਾ.
Common trouble on this row
- Bihari for sihari. Both belong to the left index finger: sihari at home, bihari above. Practise ਕਿ ਕੀ ਕਿ ਕੀ.
- ਬ and ਹ swapped. Both are typed by the right index finger. ਹ is straight up from ਰ. ਬ is up and to the left.
- ਦ and ਡ mixed up. They sound close but are different letters on different keys: ਦ on
O, ਡ on[.
Next comes the bottom row, with ਮ, ਨ, ਲ, ਸ and the tippi.
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.