The Igbo Language Project
Alphabets
[Mkpuru Okwu]
| Aa | Bb | CH ch | Dd | Ee | Ff |
| Gg | GB gb | GH gh | GW gw | Hh | I I |
| Ị ị | J j | K k | KP kp | KW kw | L l |
| M m | N n | Ṅ ṅ | NW nw | NY ny | O o |
| Ọ ọ | P p | R r | S s | SH sh | T t |
| U u | Ụ ụ | V v | W w | Y y | Z z |
Vowels [Udaume]
| A a | Ee | I I | Ị ị |
| O o | Ọ ọ | U u | Ụ ụ |
Consonants [Mbgochiume]
| Bb | Dd | Ff | Gg | Hh |
| Jj | Kk | Ll | Mm | Nn |
| Ṅ ṅ | Pp | Rr | Ss | Tt |
| Vv | Ww | Yy | Zz |
Tones [Udaolu]
The Igbo language places emphasis on tones which can alter the meaning of words. There are two major tones, the high tone which is represented by an acute [ ´ ] symbol and the low tone which is represented by a grave [ ` ] symbol. There is also a mid tone which is represented by the macron [ – ] symbol.
High[Udaelu]
[ ́ ]
- English - head
- Igbo - ísí
- English - smell
- Igbo - ísì
- English - cry
- Igbo - ákwá
Mid [Udansuda]
[-]
- English - cook
- Igbo - ísī
- English - bed
- Igbo - ākwā
low [Udaala]
[`]
- English - blind
- Igbo - ìsì
- English - egg
- Igbo - àkwá
- English - cloth
- Igbo - àkwà
The distinction in tones can differentiate between a statement and a question
- English - You went to school.
- Igbo - Í gàrà ūlò akwúkwó
- English - Did you go to school?
- Igbo - Ì gàrà ūlò akwúkwó
Othography
- Igbo - I gara ụlọ akwụkwọ