Amharic Keyboard Online
Type in Amharic Online using the virtual keyboard below and then copy it to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What script does Amharic use?
Amharic uses the Ge'ez script, which is an 'abugida'. Each character represents a consonant-vowel syllable, unlike the English alphabet where consonants and vowels are separate letters.
How do I type different vowel sounds?
Each character on the keyboard represents a consonant with a different vowel sound. Our keyboard shows the seven common forms for each consonant base. For example, 'ሀ' (hä), 'ሁ' (hu), 'ሂ' (hi), 'ሃ' (ha), 'ሄ' (hē), 'ህ' (hǝ), 'ሆ' (ho).
Is this the complete Amharic alphabet?
This keyboard shows the main consonant families. The full Ge'ez script includes more characters, including those for other Ethiopian languages and some that are less common in modern Amharic.
Can I use phonetic typing for Amharic?
Yes, you can enable 'Phonetic Typing' mode to type Amharic using English letters that correspond to the sounds. This is often the easiest way for beginners to start typing.
Why are there different letters for the 'h' sound?
Amharic has three different 'h' sounds that were distinct in the ancient Ge'ez language. While their pronunciation has merged in modern Amharic, they are still used in different words. This keyboard includes 'ሀ' (hä), 'ሐ' (ḥä), and 'ኸ' (xä).
Are there capital letters in Amharic?
No, the Ge'ez script used for Amharic does not have uppercase and lowercase distinctions.
How do I type punctuation?
Amharic uses some unique punctuation. A 'word space' is represented by '፡', a full stop (period) by '።', and a comma by '፣'. You can type these using your physical keyboard or find them in more extensive character maps.
Is this tool good for learning Amharic?
It's a fantastic tool for getting familiar with the characters and practicing how they look. For a full learning experience, it should be used with language lessons that teach grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Why are the characters in rows of seven?
Each row on our keyboard represents a consonant 'family'. The seven characters in that row show the consonant combined with the seven different vowel sounds of Amharic.
What is 'Ge'ez'?
Ge'ez is an ancient language that is the ancestor of modern Ethiopian Semitic languages like Amharic and Tigrinya. The writing system is also called Ge'ez, and it's one of the oldest alphabets still in use in Africa.
Can I copy and paste the text I type?
Yes! Simply click the 'Copy Text' button, and the Amharic text will be copied to your clipboard, ready to be pasted into social media, documents, or messages.
Do I need to install a special font?
Most modern computers and smartphones have built-in fonts that can display Amharic characters correctly, such as the 'Noto Serif Ethiopic' font.
What's the difference between 'ሰ' (sä) and 'ሠ' (śä)?
Historically, these represented different 's' sounds. In modern Amharic, their pronunciation is identical, but they are used in different words based on etymology and spelling conventions.
How do I type my name in Amharic?
The best way is to use the phonetic typing mode and sound out your name. The tool will transliterate it into the closest Amharic equivalent.
Is Amharic a right-to-left language?
No, Amharic is written and read from left to right, just like English.