Twi phrasebook

Twi or Akan Kasa is a dialect of the Akan language. It is a language spoken in most regions of Ghana. Although it is not a state-sponsored language, Twi is the most widely spoken language in Ghana.

Grammatical points

Vowels

a as "rat"
e as "seat"
ε as "set"
i as "sit"
o as "Kuala Lumpur"
ɔ as "pot"
u as "Kuala Lumpur"
ẹ as " ay
ọ as " s'ofa

Consonants

b as "bats"
d as "dog"
f as "fog"
g as "goat"
h as "hire"
k as "cat"
l as "log"
m as "man"
n as "nap"
p as "pin"
r as "cramp"
s as "suit"
t as "tomb"
w as "wood"
y as "yemen"

Diagraphs

dw as "j" sound in the beginning of "dreams"
gy as "judge"
hw as "whew"
hy as "shirt"
kw as "equip"
ky as "chap"
nw is pronounced as "nyw" with rounded lips at the end. For example: Nwunu (to leak)
ny as "Español"
tw as "trip"

Phrase list

Basics

Hi! (formal) Akwaaba or Maakyẹ
How are you? (formal): Wo ho te sεn? (woho te-SAIN)
How are you? (informal): Ɛte sεn?; Mpɔ mu te sεn? (optional)
Fine, thank you.: Me ho yε, medaase.; Ɛyε.; Bɔkɔɔ. (Optional. Literally "soft". The "ɔ" is pronounced like "o" is rot, but the "ɔɔ" means that the sound is extended.)
And you?: Na wo nso ε?
What is your name?: Wo din de sɛn?; Wɔfrɛ wo sɛn?; Wode sɛn?; Yɛfrɛ wo sɛn? (lit. They call you how?)
My name is ______ .: Me din de ______ .
How old is he/she?: Wadi mfeɛ ahe/sɛn?
How old are you?: Woadi mfeɛ ahe/sɛn?
Nice to meet you.: M’ani agye sɛ yɛahyia.
Please.: Mepa wo kyɛw. (meh-paw-chow); Mepaa kyɛw. Shorter and most common version
Thank you.: Meda wo ase. (mih-daah-wah-sih); Medaase. Shorter and most common version
You're welcome.: Ɛnyε hwee.
Yes.: Aane. (ai-in) (pronounced like a nasal “eye”)
No.: Dabi.
OK.: Yoo.
Excuse me. (getting attention): Mepa wo kyɛw.
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Wose dɛn?; Ka no bio.
I'm sorry.: Kosɛ.; Kafra.
Goodbye.: Nante yie. (lit. walk well); Yɛbɛhyia bio. (lit. we will/shall meet again); Ɛnneɛ akyire yi.
I can't speak Twi [well].: Mente Twi.
Do you speak English?: Wote Borɔfo? (This is actually "You hear/understand English?". In Twi, "Do you speak ______ ?" is not often used.)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Obi wɔ ha a ɔka Borɔfo?; Obi wɔ ha a ɔte Borɔfo?
Help!: Boa me!
Look out!
Good morning: Me ma wọ akye. (mih-Maa-waa-chi); Maakye. (Maa-chi). Shorter version.
Good afternoon.: Me ma wo aha. (mih-Maa-waa-ha); Maaha. (Maa-ha). Shorter version
Good evening.: Me ma wo adwo. (mih-Maa-waa-jo) The "o" in adwo (aa-jo) is pronounced similarly to a quick "ou" sound in "cous cous"; Maadwo. (Maa-jo) Shorter version
Good night.: Da yie. (dah-yey)

I don't understand.: Mente aseɛ.
Where’s the toilet/washroom?: Agyananbea no wɔ he?
How do we say ______ in Twi?: Sɛn na yɛka ______ wɔ Twi mu?

Problems

Leave me alone.: Firi me so.
Get out of here! (anger): Firi hɔ kɔ (lit. Leave here and go)
Don't touch me!: Gyae me!
I'll call the police.: Mεfrε polisi.
Police!: Polisi!
Stop them, they are a thief!: Kye no, ɔyε korɔmfoɔ!
I need your help.: Mehia wo mmoa.
It’s an emergency.: ...
I'm lost.: Mayera.
I've lost my bag.: Mayera me baage.
I've lost my wallet.: Mayera me sika bɔtɔ.
I'm sick.: Meyare.; Me ho mfa me. (lit. My body is not well)
I need a doctor.: Mehia dɔkota.
Can I use your phone/mobile phone?: Mebetumi a yuso wo fon?

Numbers

Generally, Arabic (Western) numerals are used for everything. Most people actually say English words in order to count things or tell time. However occasionally, the actual Twi words for numbering things can be heard in deep conversations between elders as well as Twi based television and radio station discussions.

0: ohunu/hwee
1: baako
2: mmienu
3: mmiɛnsa
4: ɛnan
5: enum
6: nsia
7: nson
8: nwɔtwe
9: nkron
10: edu
11: dubaako
12: dumienu
13: dumiɛnsa
14: dunan
15: dunum
16: dunsia
17: dunson
18: dunwɔtwe
19: dunkron
20: aduonu
21: aduonu baako
22: aduonu mmienu
23: aduonu mmiɛnsa
30: aduasa
40: aduanan
50: aduonum
60: aduosia
70: aduɔson
80: aduɔwɔtwe
90: aduɔkron
100: ɔha
200: ahanu
300: ahasa
1,000 (one thousand): apem
2,000: mpem mmienu/mpenu
10,000 (ten thousand): mpem du
100,000 (one hundred thousand): mpem ɔha
1,000,000 (one million): ɔpepem
1,000,000,000 (one billion): ɔpepepem

Time

now: seesei ara
later: akyire yi
before: akyi
morning: anɔpa
afternoon: awiaberɛ
evening: anwummerɛ
night: anadwo

Clock time

Clock times are formed in Twi by placing the word "dɔn" which means "o'clock" before the number. If the time of day is known, it can be stated before the word "dɔn". The numbers after "one o'clock" are said with a liason so "dɔn" becomes "nnɔn".

Note: Many English expressions for telling the time are commonly used by Twi speakers as well.

What time is it?: Abɔ sɛn? (literally "It has hit what?")
It is _____ .: Abɔ _____ . (literally “It has hit")
morning: anɔpa
one o'clock AM: anɔpa dɔnko
two o'clock AM: nnɔnmienu
afternoon: awia
one o'clock PM: awia dɔnko
two o'clock PM: awia nnɔnmienu
night: anadwo
ten o'clock PM: anadwo nnɔdu
midnight: anadwo dasuom

Duration

_____ second(s): anibɔ _____
_____ minute(s): simma _____
_____ hour(s): dɔnhwere _____
_____ day(s): da _____
_____ week(s): nnawɔtwe _____
_____ month(s): bosome _____
_____ year(s): mfe _____

Days

today: ɛnnɛ
yesterday: ɛnnora
tomorrow: ɔkyena
this week: nnawɔtwe wei (literally "week, this")
last week: nnawɔtwe a ɛtwaa mu no (literally "the week that passed")
next week: nnawɔtwe akyi (literally "one week later)

The seven-day week is referred to as Nnawɔtwe (literally eight days). The first day is counted twice to end a full week.

Sunday: Kwasiada
Monday: Ɛdwoada
Tuesday: Ɛbenada
Wednesday: Wukuada
Thursday: Yawoada
Friday: Efiada
Saturday: Memeneda

Months

Traditional days The Akan six-day week, nnanson, is counted alongside the Gregorian seven-day week, nnawɔtwe, to form a combined total of a 42 day cycle. This is known as adaduanan or forty days. Therefore the current Akan/Twi names for the English months have arbitrarily assigned.

January: Ɔpɛpɔn
February: Ɔgyefoɔ
March: Ɔbɛnem
April: Oforisuo
May: Kotonimma
June: Ayɛwohomumɔ
July: Kitawonsa
August: Ɔsanaa
September: Ɛbɔ
October: Ahinime
November: Obubuo
December: Ɔpɛnimma

Seasons

Ɔpɛ Bere: December – March (4 months)
Asusue Bere: April – June (3 months)
Ofupɛ Bere: July – August (2 months)
Bamporɔ Bere: September – November (3 months)

Colors

black: tuntum
white: fitaa /fufuo
gray: nsonso
red: kɔkɔɔ
blue: bibire
yellow: akokɔsradeɛ
green: ahabammono
orange: ankaahono / ɔrengye
purple: beredum / afasebiri
brown: ahaban dada / dodoeɛ
pink: memen

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Sɛ me kɔ _____, tekiti baako bɛyɛ sɛn?
One ticket to _____, please.: Mepa wo kyɛw, mame _____ tekiti baako.
Where does this train/bus go?: Keteke wei bɛkɔ he? (train); Ɛhyɛn/Bɔɔso/Trotro wei bɛkɔ he? (bus)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Ɛhefa na keteke a ɛkɔ _____ wɔ? (train); Ɛhefa na bɔɔso/hyɛn/trotro a ɛkɔ _____ wɔ? (bus)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Mepa wo kyɛw keteke wei bɛfa/bɛgyina _____ anaa? (train) : Mepa wo kyɛw bɔɔso/hyɛn/trotro wei bɛfa/bɛgyina _____ anaa? (bus)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Berɛ bɛn na keteke a ɛkɔ _____ bɛfiri ha? (train) (literally “What time will the train that is going to _____ leave here?”); Berɛ bɛn na bɔɔso/hyɛn/trotro a ɛkɔ _____ bɛfiri ha? (bus) (literally “What time will the bus that is going to _____ leave here?”)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Berɛ ben na keteke bɛ duru _____ ? (train); Berɛ ben na bɔɔso/hyɛn/trotro bɛ duru _____ ? (bus)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Sɛ me kɔ _____ mɛfa kwan bɛn?
...the train station?: keteke stehyɛn no?
...the bus station?: bɔɔso/trotro stehyɛn no?
...the airport?: ɛɛpɔte/wiemhyɛn gyinabea no?
...downtown?: ...
...the youth hostel?: ...
...the _____ hotel?: _____ hotɛl/hɔhofie no?
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: American/Canadian/Australian/UK embassy? (These words are simply understood when said in English.)
Where are there a lot of...: Ɛhefa na _____ beberee ɛwɔ?
...hotels?: ahɔhofie
...restaurants?: adidibea/chop bar
...bars?: ...
...sites to see?: ...
Can you show me on the map?: Wobetumi akyerɛ me wɔ map no so?; Kyerɛ me wo map no so.
street: ɛkwan
Turn left.: Dane wo benkum so.
Turn right.: Dane wo nifa so.
left: benkum
right: nifa
straight ahead: kɔ w’anim
towards the _____: ...
past the _____: ...
before the _____: ...
Watch for the _____.: ...
intersection: ...
north: atifi
south: anaafoɔ
east: apueeɛ
west: atɔeɛ
uphill: ...
downhill: ...

Taxi

Taxi!: Taksii!
Take me to _____, please.: Mepa wo kyɛw fa me kɔ _____ .
How much does it cost to get to _____ ?: Sɛ mekɔ _____ , ɛbɛyɛ sɛn?
Take me there, please.: Mepa wo kyɛw, fa me kɔ hɔ

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Mo gye dɔla/Amɛrikafoɔ/Ɔstreliyafoɔ/Kanadafoɔ sika wɔ ha anaa?
Do you accept British pounds?: Mo gye pounds wɔ ha anaa?
Do you accept euros?: Mo gye yuro wɔ ha anaa?
Do you accept credit cards?: Mo gye krɛdit kaade wɔ ha?
Can you change money for me?: Wobetumi a sesa me sika ma me?
Where can I get money changed?: Ɛhefa na mebetumi akɔ sesa sika wɔ?
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: ...
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: ...
What is the exchange rate?: ...
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Wo nim baabi a ATM baako no wɔ?

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Mepa wo kyew mayɛ ɛpono baako.
Can I look at the menu, please?: Mepa wo kyew, metumi ahwɛ mɛnyu?
Can I look in the kitchen?: Metumi ahwɛ mukaase?
Is there a house specialty?: Mo wo adeɛ kama ma yɛn?
Is there a local specialty?: Mo wo deɛ ɛfiri fie? (literally. Do you guys have something from the house/this country?); Mo wo deɛ ɛfiri Ghana? (literally. Do you guys have something from Ghana?); Mo wo aduane a ɛfiri Ghana? (literally. Do you guys have food from home/the house/this country?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Me taa di atosodeɛ nko ara.
I don't eat pork.: Mentumi di prakonam. (A direct translation is "I cannot eat pork." The word prako means pig. Nam means meat. In the word "prakonam" prako is pronouced more as "preh koe")
I don't eat beef.: Mentumi di nantwinam.
I only eat kosher food.: Medi Yudani aduane pɛ.
I want _____.: Me pɛ _____ .
I want a dish containing _____.: Me pɛ aduane a _____ wɔ mu.
chicken: akokɔ nam
beef: nantwinam
fish: nsuomnam
pork: prakonam
mutton: odwannam
cheese: kyiis
eggs: kosua
salad: salad
(fresh) vegetables: atosodeɛ
(fresh) fruit: aduaba
bread: brodo; paanoo
noodles: taalia; spak; spakɛtii
rice: ɛmo
beans: adua
soup: nkwan
stew: frɔyɛ
May I have a glass of _____ ?: Mepa wo kyɛw ma me _____ gyerase baako.
May I have a cup of _____?: Mepa kyɛw ma me _____ kɔɔpo baako.
May I have a bottle of _____?: Mepa kyɛw ma me _____ bɔtel baako.
coffee: kɔfe
milk: meleke
tea: tii
juice
water: nsuo
beer: biɛɛ
alcohol: nsa
May I have some _____?: Mepa kyew, me pɛ _____ kakra.
Note: People are more likely to understand where the sentence "Mo wo _____ kakra?" (Do you guys have a little _____ ?) is going because the response to it will either be "Mepa kyew, aane." (Yes, please) or "Mepa kyew, daabi." (No, please)
salt: nkyene
sugar: asikyire
pepper: mako
butter: bɔta
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Mepa wo kyɛw?
I'm finished.: M’awie.
It was delicious / tasty.: Ɛyε dε.
This food was very good.: Aduane wei yε dε pa ara.
Please clear the plates.: Mepa wo kyɛw, fa prɛte no kɔ.
The check, please.: Mepa wo kyɛw, fa kyɛke no bra me.

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Wowɔ wei baako wɔ me size?
How much is this?: Wei yɛ sɛn?
That's too expensive.: Ne boɔ yɛ den dodo.
Would you take _____?: Wobɛgye _____ ?
I will give you _____ cedis.: Mɛma wo _____ cedis. (This is a more assertive way of trying to counteroffer a price to favour the buyer. Learning how to bargain effectively is a valuable skill in Ghana. However, taking care not to come off as rude is equally important.)
expensive: boɔ yɛ den
cheap: ɛyɛ fo/ boɔ nyɛ den
I can't afford it.: Mentumi ntɔ wei.; Mentumi ntua.
I don't want it.: Menpɛ.
You're cheating me.: Wosisi me.
I'm not interested.: Menpɛ bio.; Mentɔ bio.
OK, I'll take it.: Mɛtɔ wei.
Can I have a bag?: Wowɔ rɔba?
Do you ship (overseas)?: ...
I need...: Mehia...
...toothpaste.: ...
...a toothbrush.: ...
...tampons.: ...
...soap.: ...samina.
...shampoo.: ...shampoo.
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...para.
...cold medicine.: ...
...stomach medicine.: ...
...a razor.: ...yiwan/shaving stick.
...an umbrella.: ...kyiniiɛ/umbrella.
...sunblock lotion.: ...
...a postcard.: ...poste kaade.
...postage stamps.: ...poste staampe.
...batteries.: ...batri.
...writing paper.: ...krataa.
...a pen.: ...twerɛdua/pɛn.
...English-language books.: ...nwoma ayɛ de sua Borɔfo.
...English-language magazines.: ...magazin.
...an English-language newspaper.: ...amannebɔ krataa
...an English-English dictionary.: ...
...a mask.: ...nkataanim/maaske.
...souvenir: ...nkaedeɛ/mɛmɛnto.

References

A comprehensive course in twi(Asante) for the non-twi learner. By Florence Abena Dolpyne. Associate professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Ghana, Legon.

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