Learn Tigrinya — ትግርኛ
Everything you need to start reading, writing, and speaking Tigrinya — the language of Eritrea and Tigray. An interactive course, books, posters, quizzes, and the Geez Keyboard, all in one place.
Start the Tigrinya Course Free →Why learn Tigrinya?
Tigrinya (ትግርኛ) is a Semitic language spoken by more than 9 million people, primarily in Eritrea and the Tigray region of Ethiopia. It uses the ancient Geez script — known as fidel or fidelat — which is one of the world's oldest continuously used writing systems. Whether you are reconnecting with your heritage, supporting your children, traveling, or simply love languages, Tigrinya opens a door to a rich culture, literature, and community.
Your learning path
- 1. Take the interactive Tigrinya course. Learn from English with short Duolingo-style lessons — native audio, real example sentences, and fun exercises. Start the Tigrinya course — the first unit is free, no account needed.
- 2. Master the alphabet (fidel). Use our free interactive Tigrinya alphabet chart with audio for every letter.
- 3. Hang a poster where you study. Visual repetition is the fastest way to lock in the fidel — see our Tigrinya alphabet poster.
- 4. Build vocabulary. Start with everyday words — colors and numbers are the easiest first wins.
- 5. Practice with books. Our Tigrinya alphabet books include workbooks for kids and adults.
- 6. Start typing. Install the Geez Keyboard for Mac, Windows, iOS or Android and type Tigrinya anywhere.
The Tigrinya Course — learn like Duolingo, built for Tigrinya
Short interactive lessons from English: hear every word from a native speaker, see it in a real sentence, and practice with matching, listening, and translation exercises. Earn XP, keep a streak, and go from greetings to real conversations.
Try the first unit free →Frequently asked questions
How can I learn Tigrinya as a beginner?
Start with the fidel — there are 32 base letters, each with 7 vowel forms. Use our free interactive chart with audio, then move on to short words, colors, and numbers.
Is there an online course to learn Tigrinya?
Yes — our interactive Tigrinya course teaches you from English with short Duolingo-style lessons: native audio, real example sentences, and fun exercises. The first unit is free, no account needed.
Is Tigrinya hard to learn?
Tigrinya is approachable once you know the fidel. Each letter represents a syllable, which makes reading intuitive. Most beginners read short words within a few weeks of daily practice.
Is Tigrinya the same as Amharic?
No. Both use the Geez script, but they are separate languages with different vocabulary and grammar.
How do I type Tigrinya on my computer or phone?
Install the Mesmer Tigrinya Geez Keyboard — it works on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.