Latin Small Letter Schwa Letter
ə (Latin small letter schwa) is a Unicode character used notably in phonetics and linguistics.
U+0259
The character ə is called the Latin small letter schwa. It has the Unicode code point U+0259 and can be copied or inserted directly in most modern text tools. It’s especially common in linguistic notation.
Latin Small Letter Schwa Letter Meaning
ə, the Latin small letter schwa (Unicode U+0259), is a letter used primarily in phonetics and phonology to represent a “schwa” vowel sound. In practice, writers and researchers use it to transcribe how words are pronounced, often when a vowel is reduced or heard as a neutral sound. Because it’s a distinct Unicode character (not just a normal “e”), it helps keep transcription consistent across documents and software. Outside of phonetics, you may also see it in language-learning materials, dictionaries, and fonts designed for linguistic symbols.
Common uses
- •Phonetic transcription in linguistics and language research
- •Marking reduced or neutral vowel sounds in dictionaries and pronunciation guides
- •Writing scripts and learning materials that teach pronunciation
- •Annotating speech data in transcription workflows
- •Using correct Unicode characters in typography and font testing for IPA-like text
Examples
ə — Latin Small Letter Schwa
- əThe schwa vowel is often written as ə in transcription.
- əˈsəfɚɪŋə is shown with ə to indicate the neutral vowel.
- əMany pronunciation notes use ə for reduced vowels.
- əIn phonetic detail, ə appears in unstressed syllables.
- əUse ə instead of a plain “e” when documenting pronunciation.
Variations
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+0259 | |
| HTML Entity | ə | |
| HTML Code | ə | |
| CSS | \0259 | |
| Alt Code | Alt + 601 | |
| Decimal | 601 |
How to type Latin Small Letter Schwa Letter (ə)
On Windows
Hold Alt and type 601 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 0259 then press Alt + X.
On Mac
Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 0259. Or press Control + Command + Space and search.
On Linux
Press Control + Shift + U, type 0259, then press Enter or Space.
Anywhere
Copy ə with the button above and paste it wherever you need it — this works on every device and in every app, with no keyboard shortcut to remember.
FAQ
What does the Latin Small Letter Schwa letter mean?
ə, the Latin small letter schwa (Unicode U+0259), is a letter used primarily in phonetics and phonology to represent a “schwa” vowel sound. In practice, writers and researchers use it to transcribe how words are pronounced, often when a vowel is reduced or heard as a neutral sound. Because it’s a distinct Unicode character (not just a normal “e”), it helps keep transcription consistent across documents and software. Outside of phonetics, you may also see it in language-learning materials, dictionaries, and fonts designed for linguistic symbols.
What is the Unicode code point for ə?
The Latin small letter schwa (ə) has Unicode code point U+0259.
How do I copy the character ə?
Select and copy “ə” from this page, or use the provided HTML entity (ə) and Unicode escapes.
Is ə the same as the normal letter “e”?
No. ə is a distinct Unicode character (Latin small letter schwa). For transcription and typography, use ə when you specifically need schwa.
Where is ə commonly used?
It’s most commonly used in phonetics and linguistics to represent the schwa vowel sound in transcription.