Alphabets
The Swahili alphabet alfabeti
Meet every letter of the Swahili alphabet, hear how it sounds and see it in simple words.
About Swahili
Swahili is written in the Latin alphabet with very regular spelling: every letter is pronounced, and stress falls on the second-last syllable. The five vowels a, e, i, o, u are always said the same way. Several sounds are written with two letters – ch, dh, gh, ny, sh, th and ng'.
- 24
- letters
- 5
- vowels
- 7
- letter pairs
- L → R
- writing direction
Vowels irabu
The vowels of Swahili – each is written as a letter of its own. Tap a letter to hear it.
Consonants konsonanti
The consonants of Swahili. Tap a letter to hear it.
B to K
L to S
T to Z
Letter pairs herufi mbili
two letters, one sound
Many nouns begin with a class prefix that changes in the plural: mtoto (child) → watoto (children), kitabu (book) → vitabu (books).
Ready to type in Swahili?
Use the on-screen keyboard to write these letters, or translate your first sentence.