It’s the language of Mahatma Gandhi and Govardhanram Tripathi, spoken across Gujarat and among thriving diaspora communities around the world. Gujarati is a vibrant language filled with poetic expressions, lively street conversations, and deep-rooted traditions.
Whether you want to communicate with Gujarati friends and family, or simply explore this fascinating language, we’ll share some interesting facts and helpful learning resources to guide you as you learn Gujarati.
Here’s your complete guide to learn Gujarati—alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, and top learning tools for beginners. Perfect for self-study learners.
Table of Contents
Why Learning Gujarati is Your Next Great Adventure
Learning Gujarati is like unlocking a secret door to one of India’s most fascinating and flavorful cultures. With over 55 million speakers worldwide, it’s the native tongue of Gujarat, a region famous for its vibrant festivals, legendary traders, and—most importantly—some of the best food on the planet. (Seriously, if you haven’t tried a proper Gujarati thali, you’re missing out!)
This is a language with a history stretching back over a thousand years, connecting you to the great thinkers, poets, and merchants who helped shape global trade. It’s spoken not only in western India but also in sizable communities across the UK, the US, East Africa, and even parts of the Middle East. Whether you’re drawn to its lyrical script, its rich storytelling tradition, or just the chance to order snacks at a street food stall like a pro, Gujarati is an adventure worth taking.
6 Fascinating Facts About Gujarati
- One of the Oldest Modern Indo-Aryan Languages
Gujarati has deep linguistic roots, evolving from Sanskrit through the Prakrit and Apabhramsha stages before becoming its own literary language around the 12th century. That means when you learn Gujarati, you’re connecting with centuries of poetry, philosophy, and trade records—because let’s be honest, Gujaratis have always been incredible merchants. - A Unique and Beautiful Script
The Gujarati script is an offshoot of Devanagari (which is used for Hindi and Sanskrit), but with a key difference—there’s no horizontal line on top of the letters. This makes it look more open and flowing. If you already recognize some Hindi letters, you’ll find a lot of familiar shapes, but with their own Gujarati flair. - A Language of Traders and Travelers
Gujarati has historically been a language of commerce. The people of Gujarat have been seafarers and merchants for centuries, setting up trade networks from Zanzibar to Singapore. That’s why you’ll hear Gujarati spoken in places far beyond India—like in the bustling markets of Nairobi or Leicester. - A Festival Lover’s Dream
Gujaratis know how to throw a party, and many of India’s most colorful festivals shine brightest in Gujarat. Navratri, a nine-night dance festival, turns the entire state into a giant celebration of music and movement. And if you learn Gujarati, you won’t just be watching—you’ll be able to join in, asking for another round of fafda and jalebi without missing a beat. - A Language Full of Sweetness (Literally and Figuratively)
Gujarati has a famously soft and melodic sound. Many words end in open vowels, giving it a singsong quality. Even the way Gujaratis speak English has a charming rhythm to it. And just like its language, Gujarati cuisine leans toward the sweet side—yes, even the savory dishes often have a touch of sugar! - A Window Into Indian and World History
If you’re a history lover (I know I am!), Gujarati is a goldmine. It was the mother tongue of Mahatma Gandhi, whose words changed the course of history. It’s also the language of the famous 19th-century businessman Jamsetji Tata, who laid the foundation for India’s modern industrial economy. Learning Gujarati lets you read firsthand accounts of some of the most pivotal moments in world history.
How To Learn Gujarati: Start with the Basics!
The Gujarati Alphabet
Gujarati has 47 letters, including vowels (swar) and consonants (vyanjan). If you already know Devanagari, you’re halfway there!
Source: LanguagesGulper.com
Gujarati Pronunciation and Notes:
- બ (ba) vs. ભ (bha) – Unlike Hindi, Gujarati has a softer ‘bh’ sound.
- ઙ (ṅa) – A nasal sound that gives words a smooth flow.
- Gujarati numerals – Yep, there’s a whole set of traditional numbers too!
Basic Gujarati Phrases for Beginners
Want to impress your Gujarati-speaking friends or just navigate a bustling market in Ahmedabad? Here are some key phrases to get you started:
- કેમ છો Kem cho? – How are you?
- હું મજામા છુ Hu majama chu– I’m fine
- ધન્યવાદ Dhanyavad – Thank you
- તમારું નામ શું છે Tamaru naam su chhe? – What’s your name?
- મને સમજાતું નથી Mane samajhatu nathi – I don’t understand
- આની કિંમત કેટલી છે? Ani kimmata ketali chhe? – How much does this cost?
- શુભ રાત્રી Shubh ratri – Good night
Numbers in Gujarati
Here’s a table of numbers in Gujarati, covering 0 through 20, and some common milestones up to 100:
| English Number | Gujarati Numeral | Gujarati Name (Transliteration) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ૦ | શૂન્ય (shoonya) |
| 1 | ૧ | એક (ek) |
| 2 | ૨ | બે (be) |
| 3 | ૩ | ત્રણ (tran) |
| 4 | ૪ | ચાર (chaar) |
| 5 | ૫ | પાંચ (paanch) |
| 6 | ૬ | છ (chh) |
| 7 | ૭ | સાત (saat) |
| 8 | ૮ | આઠ (aath) |
| 9 | ૯ | નવ (nav) |
| 10 | ૧૦ | દસ (das) |
| 11 | ૧૧ | અગિયાર (agiyaar) |
| 12 | ૧૨ | બાર (baar) |
| 13 | ૧૩ | તેર (ter) |
| 14 | ૧૪ | ચૌદ (chaud) |
| 15 | ૧૫ | પંદર (pandhar) |
| 16 | ૧૬ | સોળ (sol) |
| 17 | ૧૭ | સતાર (sataar) |
| 18 | ૧૮ | અઢાર (adhaar) |
| 19 | ૧૯ | ઓગણીસ (ogṇīs) |
| 20 | ૨૦ | વીસ (vees) |
| 30 | ૩૦ | ત્રીસ (trees) |
| 40 | ૪૦ | ચાળીસ (chaalees) |
| 50 | ૫૦ | પચાસ (pachaas) |
| 60 | ૬૦ | સાઈઠ (sāīṭh) |
| 70 | ૭૦ | સિત્તેર (sitter) |
| 80 | ૮૦ | એંસી (ainsi) |
| 90 | ૯૦ | નેંવુ (nẽvu) |
| 100 | ૧૦૦ | સો (so) |
Where to Learn Gujarati: Online and Traditional Language Resources
Gujarati Learning Apps
If you’re just starting out or looking to build on the basics, these apps offer great tools for learning vocabulary, improving your grammar, practicing pronunciation, and even reading.
Ling
Ling is a gamified language-learning app with courses on over 60 different languages. Practice happens through short themed lessons, making for convenient and entertaining study time. It isn’t the most comprehensive resource out there, especially for more popular languages, but it can make a decent way to get started with a less common language.
See our Super-Detailed Ling Review
Anki
It is the go-to app for free (except on iOS) Spaced Repetition System (SRS) flashcards. It has a simple user interface with various features that more hard-core users can dive into if they choose. Your flashcards will appear according to your natural forgetting curve; the app will test you in increasingly spaced out intervals, with more difficult cards appearing more than once in a session, while easier cards spacing out over weeks — or even months and years. An SRS system is the most effective way to drive information into your long-term memory. The cards can sync between the web, desktop app, and mobile versions to keep your flashcards updated and with you at all times. You can add images and audio clips to your cards and change the text formatting (if you use it on your computer). One feature unique to Anki, as opposed to other SRS flashcard apps, is the “Cloze deletion” function, which allows you to block out parts of your card and create a “fill-in-the-blanks” type card format. If you want a resource for how to make effective flashcards, check out the book, FluentForever. The author leaves a whole section dedicated to understanding how to use your Anki deck to advance your skills quickly.
See our Super-Detailed Anki Review
Brainscape
Brainscape is a flashcard app that uses a Spaced Repetition System, also often referred to as ‘adaptive flashcards’, to help you memorize new vocabulary and facts. It has a team of scientists, engineers, and education experts working to optimize their program for effective learning. Brainscape is quite similar to Anki, but has a more modern and colourful interface. They also have Certified Classes, which are decks that seem to have been developed by experts in the chosen topic. The app adds what they call Intelligent Cumulative Exposure (ICE) to some of their Certified Classes; it seems to combine a Spaced Repetition System with gradually introducing new concepts, increasing the difficulty of the concepts, and providing context so you can build your own sentences.
See our Super-Detailed Brainscape Review
Forvo
Forvo’s mission is to improve spoken communication across cultures. Anyone can explore pronunciations of millions of words in over 390 languages with maps displaying where each speaker is from. The site also organizes popular categories and essential phrases for when you don’t have a specific word in mind. As a registered user, you can contribute to the site by pronouncing words or phrases in your native language or by requesting pronunciations in a specific language. You are also encouraged to vote on audio files in your native language to help others identify the best pronunciation. For those of you who enjoy using Anki, Forvo allows you to download mp3 files to use in your learning endeavours.
See our Super-Detailed Forvo Review
Quizlet
Quizlet is a flashcard-based learning system. Community-contributed flashcards are available for numerous languages. These vary in quality, but you can preview them to see how well they meet your needs. Each set of flashcards powers other activities: In Learn mode, you demonstrate your mastery of each word or phrase by using multiple choice to select the correct definition. There are also spelling and writing exercises. The spelling exercises can be frustrating, as they sometimes require the addition of alternate word endings that are not always pronounced by the speaker. A space-themed word game and a “Concentration”-style matching game inject some extra fun into your study time. Recent changes to Quizlet mean that you are now required to sign in to use the flashcard sets. As Quizlet is now promoting two premium plans — the modestly priced “Quizlet Plus” and the less-expensive “Quizlet Go” — you may encounter several promotions for these paid versions.
See our Super-Detailed Quizlet Review
PortalLearn
PortalLearn is an app that teaches 9 Indian languages and aims to help you learn these languages through interactive stories. The languages offered include Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Kannada, Marathi and Gujarati. With this app, you can dive into captivating narratives, learning vocabulary and grammar naturally through context. Through these interactive stories, you can grasp language concepts, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective. These interactive stories and lessons focus on helping you hone your listening, reading, and comprehension skills.
See our Super-Detailed PortalLearn Review
uTalk
uTalk is a software program and mobile app offering learning material in over 140 languages. Its approach is based on learning keywords and phrases through gameplay. It covers a wide range of phrases, each spoken by a female and male native speaker, consequently offering listening and pronunciation practice. uTalk is most useful for beginners who want to get started in a language by learning key phrases. It could also be useful for intermediates looking to fill gaps in their vocabulary and pronunciation, but it does not offer any in-depth language instruction or grammar explanations. It’s also worth mentioning that for some languages, such as Basque, the occasional overly literal translation leads to small errors and unnatural phrasing creeping in. However, we haven’t seen instances in which this would result in you being misunderstood, and there’s no denying uTalk’s value for languages with fewer learning resources.
See our Super-Detailed uTalk Review
Bluebird Languages
Bluebird Languages has several types of lessons you can choose from, including a daily lesson, core vocabulary, essential verbs, creating sentences, powerful phrases, and conversation. Each topic seems to have a beginner, intermediate, and advanced lesson, although it’s not clear how advanced “advanced” is. In each lesson, an English-speaking narrator will ask you to listen to and repeat translations of various phrases. The recordings in each language seem to use native speakers’ voices, which is quite the feat considering they have lessons in over 160 languages. Bluebird Languages seems similar to Pimsleur but appears less organized and will probably not improve your communication abilities as quickly. Nevertheless, it may be a good free alternative for beginners, and the program will probably help you develop some confidence in speaking languages that have less challenging pronunciation.
See our Super-Detailed Bluebird Languages Review
101 Script Writing App
Kannada 101, Tamil 101, Telugu 101, Marathi 101, Bengali 101: these are just some of the apps from developer Uma Loganathan. You can also download Arabic 101, Vietnamese 101, and even English 101 and German 101. If you’re learning these languages, though, we’d take a look at Write Me instead. We feel that the Write Me app is generally a more well-designed option, especially since it also tests you on your ability to match the right character to an audio recording. However, the Write Me app barely has any Indian languages, and that’s where the 101 series shines. You’ll be able to trace the characters; switch between easy, normal, and freestyle modes; and receive a score out of 100. The stroke order and direction are clearly explained. Whenever you make a mistake, you receive instant feedback: the music stops and the “ink” stops flowing. This allows you to self-correct immediately, rather than practicing it wrong. The series has its flaws: like with most apps, you won’t learn how to join up characters. However, we think it’s a useful tool for beginners.
See our Super-Detailed 101 Script Writing App Review
HiNative
HiNative is a Q&A app for language learners that want to have questions answered by native speakers. It’s available for iOS, Android and desktop, and it has over three million registered users. A free version is available that offers the basic features of the app.
See our Super-Detailed HiNative Review
HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a mobile app for language learners interested in language exchange. It facilitates communication between native speakers and those learning their language with the use of built-in language tools. It also offers audio lessons in 10 languages as part of a separate subscription.
See our Super-Detailed HelloTalk Review
Tandem
Tandem is a popular language exchange app with over one million active users. It’s available for iOS and Android and aims to bring language learners from all over the world together. It’s largely centered around its chat capabilities and language tools that facilitate communication, but there is also a tutoring service offered in the app.
See our Super-Detailed Tandem Review
If you’re looking for more apps to aid your leaning, these Gujarati resources are great additions. Kano – Learn Gujarati Kakko and Learn Gujarati Language help with basics like Gujarat script and vocabulary. Language Curry offers a gamified approach to learning Gujarati, while Kids All in One Gujarati is perfect for younger learners. SHABDKOSH Dictionary is a helpful reference for quick lookups.
Gujarati Courses
Want to go beyond the basics? Gujarati courses and classes provide in-depth learning materials that take you from beginner basics to more advanced topics.
Preply
Preply is an online educational platform that matches tutors with students. There are tutors on Preply offering instruction in a wide range of languages and other subjects. As a learner, you can find a tutor that works best for you by browsing their demo videos and filtering by price and rating. Each tutor’s teaching style is their own, but they all receive teacher trainings and resources to improve their style.
Exclusive 50% discount for ALR readers! Make sure to use our link to receive it.
See our Super-Detailed Preply Review
italki
italki is the most flexible and affordable place to find a tutor for the language you’re learning. They have a huge number of teachers offering classes to students of over 100 different languages. As a learner, you’ll be able to find a tutor that best fits your learning style, schedule, and personality. Teachers are able to set their own prices and make their own schedule.
See our Super-Detailed italki Review
Hindustani Tongue
Hindustani Tongue is a language resource that aims to make learning accessible and enjoyable for you. It has comprehensive courses in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and English. Hindustani Tongue offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of language learning, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context. The courses are carefully designed to cater to all levels. The lessons are offered in video format, either individually or as a group. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, Hindustani Tongue ensures that you find the program that best suits your learning needs and goals. With their structured curriculum, you can track your progress and see tangible results as you advance.
See our Super-Detailed Hindustani Tongue Review
LingQ
LingQ is a language-learning platform that focuses on extensive reading for over 30 different languages. You can import your own content or choose from the community library of books, articles, podcasts, YouTube videos, and more.
The app highlights unknown words across every lesson and makes them reviewable via different types of SRS flashcards. The more you read, the more accurately you will be able to identify content that is suitable for your level.
Although I did not find it beneficial for languages I had never studied before, I think LingQ can be helpful for upper-beginner to advanced language learners who enjoy reading. It is especially helpful if you struggle to find graded readers in your target language.
See our Super-Detailed LingQ Review
Udemy
Udemy is a helpful resource for learning Gujarati. Courses range from two to six hours and are available with a range of instructors. Each class has a money-back guarantee, but you also receive lifetime access to whichever courses you buy. The video format helps hone your listening and speaking skills, but many instructors offer written supplements, too.
For more structured and in-depth learning, these Gujarati courses are great options. LearnGujarati, Indian Languages Online, Langma International, and Swadeshi Roots offer lessons that help you build a strong foundation and progress confidently in your studies.
Gujarati Lexicon is quite a comprehensive Gujarati platform where you can find reference materials, grammar guides, and more learning tools. Whether you want build vocabulary, read example sentences, or connect with language partners, platforms like Lexilogos, Tatoeba, and My Language Exchange offer a range of useful tools and resources.
Gujarati Books
Books are a great way to dive into Gujarati. Whether you’re learning grammar, picking up new words and phrases, or just looking for extra practice, these books offer both structured lessons and helpful references. Get Started in Gujarati, Colloquial Gujarati, Teach Yourself Gujarati, Learn Gujarati and Learn Gujarati in a Month are beginner-friendly books that’ll guide you through grammar, vocabulary, and everyday conversation. For quick look ups and practical use, the English-Gujarati & Gujarati-English One-to-One Dictionary and the Gujarati-English/English-Gujarati Dictionary & Phrasebook are great tools.
For young learners just getting started with Gujarati, these books are a great fit. Trace and Learn Writing Gujarati is a hands-on workbook that helps kids practice writing letters and numbers. My First Gujarati Alphabets Picture Book uses colorful images to teach the alphabet along with English translations. Ek Navo Divas: A New Day is another kid friendly book that introduces simple Gujarati through everyday conversations.
Gujarati YouTube and News Channels
YouTube is another great option for learning Gujarati and there are some great channels to check out. The Aussie Gujarat Channel offers helpful videos that cover gujarati basics. The Easy Gujarati playlist only has one video currently, but its defiltenly worth a look. Dilshan Jayasinha’s Gujarati playlist and Learn Gujarati dive into useful phrases and vocabulary. Pebbles Gujarati has a range of educational and fun videos for young learners and beginners. Additionally, for a bit of fun and cultural exposure, Shemaroo Gujarati Manoranjan feature lots of Gujarati movies and films.
You want to stay up to date with current events and real-life content? News websites can be a valuable immersive resource to consider. These platforms not only help you keep up with the latest happenings but also provide a chance to practice reading and comprehension in a real-world context.
Why Gujarati is Worth Learning
Gujarati is a language of warmth, history, and incredible food (I will never stop talking about the food). Whether you want to connect with Gujarati friends, explore the language’s literary gems, or simply challenge yourself with something new, learning Gujarati is an enriching experience.
Plus, once you master Gujarati, you’ll find it much easier to pick up Hindi, Marathi, or even Punjabi, thanks to their shared roots. So why not give it a try? Tame tayyar chho? (Are you ready?)
Related Posts:
- Learn Hindi Online – The Ultimate Self-Study Guide
- Learn Urdu Online – A Beginner’s Guide + Resources
- Learn Punjabi – A Learning Guide to Tips & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gujarati language?
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by over 55 million people, primarily in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is one of India’s 22 official languages and is written in the Gujarati script, which is derived from Devanagari. With roots in Sanskrit, Gujarati has a rich literary history and a grammar system that includes three genders and Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order. Influenced by Persian, Arabic, Portuguese, and English, it reflects centuries of cultural exchange. Gujarati is also widely spoken in diaspora communities across the UK, USA, Canada, East Africa, and the Middle East.
Is Gujarati hard to learn?
Learning Gujarati is moderately challenging for English speakers but manageable with consistent effort. The script, though non-Latin, is phonetic and learnable in 1–2 weeks. Grammar includes gendered nouns, eight cases, and SOV word order—tougher than English but simpler than Sanskrit. Pronunciation takes effort due to retroflex and aspirated sounds, though it’s easier than tonal languages like Mandarin. Vocabulary is Sanskrit-based and overlaps ~70% with Hindi, making it much easier for Hindi speakers. With tools like apps, YouTube, and Gujarati media, English speakers can reach conversational fluency in 900–1100 hours; Hindi speakers may need just 200–400.
How to speak Gujarati?
To speak Gujarati, start by learning basic phrases, pronunciation, and the Gujarati script. Focus on everyday words like greetings and common questions. To effectively learn Gujarati, use language apps, watch Gujarati videos with subtitles, and practice with native speakers. Listening and repeating regularly builds confidence and fluency. For structured learning, try beginner books or online courses. Immersion and daily practice are key to mastering the Gujarati language.
What is the best way to learn Gujarati?
The best way to learn Gujarati is to start with practical phrases and focus on listening and speaking first. Use tools like language apps, YouTube videos, and Gujarati podcasts to build natural understanding. Speaking with native speakers, even in short conversations, accelerates fluency. For deeper learning, combine this with structured lessons or books that teach grammar and script. The key to mastering the Gujarati language is consistency and real-world practice.