Igbo Alphabet

This chart has 36 letters. Eight are vowels and twenty-eight are consonants. ^[1]

Nine consonants are written as digraphs. Each digraph counts once, even though its spelling uses two characters. ^[1]

Igbo is spoken in Nigeria. Glottolog records it as a language within the Igboid grouping. ^[2]

The page teaches a standard written inventory. Individual dialects can have additional sound distinctions beyond this teaching chart. ^[1]

The dots distinguish separate vowel letters. Ị, ọ and ụ are different from i, o and u. ^[3]

They belong to the alphabet itself. Removing a dot loses a written sound distinction rather than merely changing the visual style. ^[3]

Ṅ is a nasal consonant. It is approximately like ng in English sing, without an added hard g. ^[1]

The dot is above n, not below it. Keep ṅ distinct from ordinary n when reading and writing.

The nine are ch, gb, gh, gw, kp, kw, nw, ny and sh. Each has its own alphabet entry. ^[1]

Ch is approximately like ch in church, while sh resembles sh in ship. Other combinations need practice with a fluent speaker. ^[1]

Gb and kp coordinate the lips and the back of the tongue. Gb is voiced, whereas kp is unvoiced. ^[1]

Gh uses friction at the back of the mouth. Avoid treating it as the silent English gh in words such as though. ^[3]

Harvard’s lesson records dialect alternatives. For example, one can appear as otu or ofu. ^[4]

This chart follows its introductory teaching forms, including itolu for nine. Efu for zero is supported by the university syntax course. ^{[4] [5]}

The hints are English pronunciation aids. They are not presented as documented native letter names.

Use the original letters as your spelling reference. The approximate hints help with first practice, especially for unfamiliar dotted vowels and joined consonants.