M and N as Syllables

Level 1

In mmofra (children), nnipa (people) and Nkran (Accra), the first m or n is a syllable of its own: m-mo-fra, n-ni-pa, N-kran.

How It Works

In English, m and n act as syllables only in words like button. Twi uses them all the time, most often at the start of a word:

  • Plural nouns: abofra → mmofra (child, children), onipa → nnipa (person, people). See N- plural prefix.
  • Negative verbs: Menkɔ (I do not go), Mempɛ (I do not want). See N- negative prefix.
  • Many ordinary nouns: nsuo (water), nkosua (eggs), mpaboa (shoes), Nkran (Accra).

The spelling rule. The nasal is made in the same place as the consonant after it:

  • m before b, f, m and p, where the lips close or touch: mpaboa, mmofra.
  • n before every other sound: nnipa, nsuo, ntoma (cloth). Before k and g it is said like the ng in sing but still written n: Nkran, nkosua.

Doubled letters. In mmofra and nnipa, the first letter is the nasal syllable and the second begins the next syllable. After the nasal, b often becomes m and d becomes n, which is why the plural of abofra is mmofra. See nasal mutation after N-.

Tone. The nasal syllable has its own high or low pitch, just like a vowel. The negative Yɛnkɔ (We do not go) and Yɛnkɔ (Let us go) differ only in the pitch of that n. See tone overview.

Do not add a vowel before the nasal: say N-kran, not In-kran or En-kran.

Examples (5)

  1. Mmofra no rekɔ sukuu.

    The children are going to school.

    Word by Word: Children the are-going school.

    Mmofra has three syllables: m-mo-fra.

  2. Nnipa pii wɔ ha.

    Many people are here.

    Word by Word: People many are-at here.

    Nnipa is n-ni-pa, the plural of onipa (person).

  3. Merekɔ Nkran ɔkyena.

    I am going to Accra tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I-am-going Accra tomorrow.

    The N of Nkran is a syllable of its own, said like ng because k follows.

  4. Ɔtɔn mpaboa.

    She sells shoes.

    Word by Word: She-sells shoes.

    The nasal is written m before p: mpaboa.

  5. Mepɛ nsuo.

    I want water.

    Word by Word: I-want water.

    Nsuo begins with a nasal syllable: n-su-o.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the nasal syllable.

    Mofra no rekɔ sukuu.
    Mmofra no rekɔ sukuu.

    The first m is a full syllable, and here it marks the plural. Without it, the word is not children.

  • Writing n before p, b, f or m.

    Ɔtɔn npaboa.
    Ɔtɔn mpaboa.

    Before p, b, f and m the nasal is written m, because the lips close for both sounds.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

M and N as SyllablesLevel 1

Learn This First

Syllabic m and n start from the letters of the alphabet.