Your download is starting…
While it loads, here's more from Maastarji:
Punjabi Kanaura Words — Reading the Rarest Vowel Sign
Kanaura words add one vowel sign — ੌ, the "au"/"ow" sound that sits above and after a consonant. It's the rarest of the ten Gurmukhi vowel signs, and the last stop on the matra journey. Start with two-consonant words, then three. Free printable tracing PDF, no sign-ups.
Two-consonant + kanaura words
Two sounds joined with the "au"/"ow" vowel sign above-after — kanaura (ੌ).
ਭੌਰ bhaur bumblebee Three-consonant + kanaura words
Three sounds, with kanaura landing on one of them.
What is a kanaura word?
A kanaura word is a Gurmukhi word that uses the kanaura vowel sign — ੌ, the “au” or “ow” sound that sits above and after a consonant. ਦੌੜ is d + au + ṛ → dauṛ (“race”) — one extra sign layered on the same blending skill your child already uses for every other Gurmukhi word.
Kanaura is the rarest of the ten Gurmukhi vowel signs — far fewer everyday words use it than kanna, sihari or aunkar. That also makes it the last one children usually meet. A child who can read kanaura words confidently has worked through all ten laga matras and can sound out almost any word in Gurmukhi.
How to use these sheets
Say each sound
Point to each letter and say its sound out loud, left to right — watch for the kanaura 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 a kanaura word in Punjabi?
- A kanaura word is a Gurmukhi word that uses the kanaura vowel sign (ੌ), which makes an “au”/“ow” sound sitting above and after a consonant. Words like ਦੌੜ (dauṛ, race) and ਮੌਸਮ (mausam, weather) can be read once a child knows the 35 letters plus this one sign.
- Why is kanaura the rarest Gurmukhi vowel sign?
- Compared to signs like kanna (ਾ) or sihari (ਿ), far fewer everyday Punjabi words use kanaura. That is also why it is usually the last vowel sign a child learns to read — by the time kanaura words feel easy, a child has already mastered the other nine.
- What are some examples of two-consonant kanaura words?
- Common two-consonant kanaura words include ਦੌੜ (dauṛ, race), ਚੌਕ (chauk, square), ਸੌਣ (sauṇ, sleep), ਪੌਣ (pauṇ, breeze), ਕੌਣ (kauṇ, who) and ਕੌਮ (kaum, nation).
- What does it mean once my child can read kanaura words?
- Kanaura is the last of the ten Gurmukhi laga matras most children learn, because it is the rarest. A child who can confidently read kanaura words has worked through every vowel sign in Gurmukhi and can sound out almost any word in the script.