Vowel ಎ (e) (Topic 8) in Module 1 – Kannada-Letters (BG)
ಎ — Vowel (e)
- English sound anchor: bed
- Kannada words:
- ಎಲೆ ('ele') — Leaf
- ಎತ್ತು ('ettu') — Ox / Bull
- ಎಲ್ಲಿ ('elli') — Where
Vowel Sign: ೆ
When ಎ attaches to a consonant, it is written as the vowel sign ೆ (e.g. ಕ + ೆ = ಕೆ).
Unique Feature: Short and Long E
Kannada has two distinct 'e' vowels — a feature not found in Hindi:
- ಎ (e) — short, like e in bed; vowel sign: ೆ
- ಏ (ē) — long, like ay in say (pure, not a diphthong); vowel sign: ೇ
Distinguishing these two sounds is important for correct Kannada pronunciation and spelling.
How to Write ಎ
Watch the animated stroke order below. Each stroke is drawn in sequence — follow the arrows.
Stroke order animation via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
ಎ — Vowel (e)
- English sound anchor: bed
- Kannada words:
- ಎಲೆ ('ele') — Leaf
- ಎತ್ತು ('ettu') — Ox / Bull
- ಎಲ್ಲಿ ('elli') — Where
Vowel Sign: ೆ
When ಎ attaches to a consonant, it is written as the vowel sign ೆ (e.g. ಕ + ೆ = ಕೆ).
Unique Feature: Short and Long E
Kannada has two distinct 'e' vowels — a feature not found in Hindi:
- ಎ (e) — short, like e in bed; vowel sign: ೆ
- ಏ (ē) — long, like ay in say (pure, not a diphthong); vowel sign: ೇ
Distinguishing these two sounds is important for correct Kannada pronunciation and spelling.
How to Write ಎ
Watch the animated stroke order below. Each stroke is drawn in sequence — follow the arrows.
Stroke order animation via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.