Learning to type in Tigrinya (ትግርኛ) doesn't require memorizing a complex keyboard layout. With GeezKTB's phonetic system, you can type using familiar Latin letters and watch them transform into beautiful Geez script instantly.
Understanding the Geez Script System
The Geez (Ethiopic) script is a syllabary, meaning each character represents a consonant-vowel combination. There are 7 vowel forms for each consonant, creating the full character set.
The 7 Vowel Orders
| Order | Vowel | Example (ል) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | e (as in "bed") | ለ (le) |
| 2nd | u | ሉ (lu) |
| 3rd | i | ሊ (li) |
| 4th | a | ላ (la) |
| 5th | E (as in "bet") | ሌ (lE) |
| 6th | none (default) | ል (l) |
| 7th | o | ሎ (lo) |
Basic Phonetic Typing
Simply type the Latin equivalent and GeezKTB converts it automatically:
selam = ሰላም (Hello/Peace)
kemey alekha = ከመይ ኣለኻ (How are you?)
yeqenyeley = የቐንየለይ (Thank you)
Special Characters
Use capital letters for pharyngeal and ejective sounds:
H = ሐ (pharyngeal h)
T = ጠ (ejective t)
S = ጸ (ejective s)
Q = ቀ (ejective k)
Practice Exercise
Try typing these common phrases:
- Hello: Type
selam - Thank you: Type
yeqenyeley - Goodbye: Type
deHan kun - Yes: Type
ewe - No: Type
ayfal