Key Hausa consonants (including the hooked letters), vowel length, and tone patterns for accurate pronunciation. Front: the sound pattern or example word. Back: meaning plus a plain-English pronunciation note.
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- Ɓ sound
- An implosive "b," produced by drawing air inward, distinct from a plain "b." Example word: ɓoye (to hide).
- Ɗ sound
- An implosive "d," produced by drawing air inward, distinct from a plain "d." Example word: ɗaki (room).
- Ƙ sound
- An ejective "k," produced with a sharp burst of air from the throat, distinct from a plain "k." Example word: ƙofa (door).
- 'Y sound (ƴ)
- A glottalized "y," pronounced with a slight catch in the throat. Example word: 'ya'ya (children).
- R (tapped) sound
- A light tap of the tongue, similar to a Spanish single "r." Example word: rana (sun, day).
- R (rolled) sound
- Hausa also has a trilled "r" in some words, distinct from the tapped r.
- Long vowels
- Hausa distinguishes short and long vowels; a long vowel is held for roughly twice the duration and can change a word's meaning.
- High tone
- Pronounced with a raised pitch, though tone is rarely marked in everyday written Hausa.
- Low tone
- Pronounced with a lowered pitch.
- Falling tone
- A pitch that starts high and drops within a single syllable, Hausa's third tone pattern.
- Tone is not usually written
- Unlike Yoruba or Igbo, standard everyday Hausa writing omits tone marks; tone and vowel length are usually learned by ear and context.
- Sh sound
- Pronounced like English "sh" in "shoe." Example word: shanu (cattle).
- Ts sound
- A sharp ejective affricate, made by combining "t" and "s" with a burst of air. Example word: tsaya (to stand, stop).
- K sound
- A plain, unaspirated "k," crisper than an English "k." Example word: kai (head, or "you" to a male).
- Kw sound
- A labialized "k," pronounced with rounded lips. Example word: kwana (to spend the night).
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