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Punjabi Aunkar Words — Reading with the Short "U" Vowel Sign
Aunkar words add just one vowel sign — ੁ, the short "u" — drawn below the consonant it belongs to. Start with two-consonant words, then three, then four. Free printable tracing PDF, no sign-ups.
Two-consonant + aunkar words
Two sounds joined with the short "u" vowel sign below — aunkar (ੁ).
ਕੁਲ kul family 
ਸੁਤ sut son Three-consonant + aunkar words
Three sounds, with aunkar landing under one or more of them.
ਪੁਰਖ purakh man Four-consonant + aunkar words
Longer words to read — a short, special set.
ਪੁਸਤਕ pustak book What is an aunkar word?
An aunkar word is a Gurmukhi word that uses only one vowel sign — ੁ, the short "u" sound. Unlike most other vowel signs, aunkar is drawn as a small hook below the consonant, not beside or above it. Every other letter still carries its own built-in "a" sound, just like a mukta word. ਸੁਣ is s + u + ṇ → suṇ ("listen").
Because aunkar sits below the line instead of on it, it can be easy to miss at first glance — which makes it a good sign to practise deliberately. Once a child can spot kanna and bihari confidently, aunkar is the natural next vowel sign to add: same blending skill, one new place to look.
How to use these sheets
Say each sound
Point to each letter and say its sound out loud, left to right — watch for the aunkar sign.
Blend them
Say the sounds faster and faster until they join into one word.
Trace it
Trace the dotted word on the printable, saying the word as you go.
Read it back
Cover the traced word and read it aloud on your own. Celebrate!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an aunkar word in Punjabi?
- An aunkar word is a Gurmukhi word that uses only the aunkar vowel sign (ੁ), which makes a short "u" sound. Unlike most vowel signs, aunkar is drawn below the consonant, not beside it. Every other letter keeps its own built-in "a" sound, so words like ਗੁਣ (guṇ) and ਸੁਣ (suṇ) can be read once a child knows the 35 letters plus this one sign.
- Why does aunkar go below the consonant?
- Gurmukhi vowel signs attach in different positions — before, after, above, or below the consonant they belong to. Aunkar is one of the "below the line" signs, alongside dulankar. Practising it on its own helps a child learn to scan the whole letter, not just what comes right after it.
- What are some examples of two-consonant aunkar words?
- Common two-consonant aunkar words include ਗੁਣ (guṇ, quality), ਸੁਖ (sukh, happiness), ਸੁਣ (suṇ, listen), ਹੁਣ (huṇ, now) and ਮੁਖ (mukh, face).
- How do I teach a child to read aunkar words?
- Say each letter’s sound aloud, pause under the aunkar sign to shape a short "u", then blend the whole word and read it back. Start with two-consonant words and move to three and four once those feel easy.