Nasal Syllables: m, n
Nasal Syllables
A nasal at the start of a word can be a syllable by itself: m-mi-ri, n-dị.
How It Works
Most Igbo syllables are a consonant plus a vowel. A few are only a nasal, m or n, and they are counted as syllables.
| Word | Syllables | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| mmiri | m-mi-ri | water |
| ndị | n-dị | people |
| nne | n-ne | mother |
| nkịta | n-kị-ta | dog |
A syllabic nasal can carry its own tone, which is why it matters for later tone work. Say the nasal long enough that a listener can hear it, then move on to the next syllable. The lone m in Aga m “I will go” is also a syllable on its own, and it is written apart.
Examples (4)
- mmiri
water
Three syllables: m-mi-ri.
- ndị
people
The n is a syllable of its own.
- nne
mother
N-ne has two syllables.
- nkịta
dog
N-kị-ta has three.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Syllabic m and n are letters of the alphabet doing the job of a whole syllable, so the alphabet comes first.
Related Patterns
Practice Nasal Syllables: m, n in Bubblegum
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