Letter 2 of 35
Vowel Carriers · Vowel Carrierਅ — Aira
Sounds like the 'a' in 'about' — a short, gentle 'uh'.
Why it matters: Every Punjabi word that starts with a vowel sound starts with ਅ wearing a different vowel hat.
Example Word
ਅੰਬ
Amb
Mango
Vowels ਅ can hold
ਅ
mukta
"uh"
short uh, like cup
ਆ
kanna
"aa"
long aa, like father
ਐ
dulanvan
"ai"
ai, like aisle
ਏ
lanv
"ay"
ay, like say
ਅ is a holder — each vowel mark on top changes the sound.
Other letters in the Vowel Carriers
Trace ਅ
Free Printable Tracing Worksheet
Practise writing ਅ (Aira) with this free printable. Large reference letter at the top, dotted rows below — print at home on US Letter or A4.
ਅ (Aira) is the second letter of the Gurmukhi alphabet and the second vowel-carrier in the trio ੳ, ਅ, ੲ. Most short Punjabi words begin with ਅ when they have an a or aa sound.
How to teach a 4-year-old
Hold up a mango (ਅੰਬ) — even a paper one will do. Say “ਅ” and then “ਅੰਬ”, stretching the a sound. Let your child repeat. Try a few more a-words: ਅੱਖ (akh — eye), ਅਨਾਰ (anaar — pomegranate).
Practice ਅ (Aira)
📖 Read about Aira in context
See ਅ alongside the rest of the Vowel Carriers in the free alphabet teaching guide. Open the guide →
Practise Aira on the go
Six interactive Gurmukhi games — tracing, recognition, memory match — free, offline, no ads.