Nawdm phrasebook
Nawdm, {nàwdḿ} is a language spoken in parts of Ghana and Togo in the region of West Africa.
Nawdm is the language of the Nawdba (singular: Nawda). The Nawdba are settled in the north of Togo, in the Prefecture of Doufelgou. From there, large numbers migrated to central and southern Togo and also to Ghana. Nawdm is a voltaic language (or gur), classified by Manessy, Gabriel, with the yom of Benin, in a separate group of the Oti-Volta subfamily.
Alphabet[edit]
There are thirty one (31) Nawdm letters of alphabet.
A a
B b
D d
E e
Ɛ ɛ
F f
G g
Gw gw
Gb gb
H h
Ĥ ɦ
I i
J j
K k
Kw kw
Kp kp
L l
M m
N n
Ny ny
Ŋ ŋ
Ŋm ŋm
O o
Ɔ ɔ
R r
S s
T t
U u
V v
W w
Y y
Vowels[edit]
There are short and long vowels in Nawdm.
Short vowels[edit]
We have seven (7) vowels:
A, E, Ԑ, I, O, Ͻ, U (a, e, ε, i, o, ͻ, u)
Long vowels[edit]
We get the long vowels whenever we stretch a short vowel a little. Thus, we double the letter when writing it.
AA, EE, ԐԐ, II, OO, ϽϽ, UU (aa, ee, εε, ii, oo, ͻͻ, uu)
Consonants[edit]
There are 24 consonants in Nawdm language:
B, D, F, G, Gw, Gb, H, ɦ, J, K, Kw, Kp, L, M, N, Ny, Ŋ, Ŋm, R, S, T, V, W, Y.
Common diphthongs
Gw, Gb, Kp, Ny, Ŋm,
Phrase list[edit]
Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.
Basics
Welcome.
Bdanmii/ ndanmii
Ok (response to welcome) yoo
How is it?
L ked lan?
Response to hello
L keda hom
How are you?
L' ba laa?/ L' ba
Yes am fine
Mba hom
What is your name?
Ba ɦolb na wenii?/ ba ɦolb na bee?
My name is ______ .
Ba ɦolma naa ______.
Ma ɦidr nnii ___________
Please Di kɛwr
Excuse me ! Agoo
Thanks.
You're welcome/It's a pleasure
Ben ɦεra wεgb
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Excuse me. (begging pardon)
Ma jowb
I'm sorry yen
Goodbye ( I am going)
Ma nyabn
We will meet again
T’ ba t’ taη
I can't speak Nwadm.
Ma kpaa gwɛɛla Nawdm
I'm learning Nawdm
Ma kpεlηa Nawdm
Do you speak English?
Ma gwɛɛla ηglism
Does anyone here speak English?
ɦii gwɛɛla ηglism Nnaɦ?
Help me!
tͻrg man!
Look out!
Gwedg nnaɦ!
Good morning.
b rorbii, v robii
Good afternoon.
b muunu, v Muunun
Good evening.
b jabrii, v jabrii
Good night (to sleep)
B’ doot hϽm
I am going to bed/sleep
Ma keeda ma doot
I don't understand.
Ma kpakewa Where is the toilet?
Bin badgu ba te?
White person
saamaɦ
Visitor
saanaɦ
Problems
I am sick
L’weera ma
Sickness
bԐɦyiHurt/Injured
Ha nyadg ayen
Numbers[edit]
Jugu, calb
| 1 | myen | 21 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n myen | 41 | kwɛɦnaa n myen | 61 | kwɛɦroond n myen | 81 | kwɛɦniind n myen |
| 2 | mreɦ | 22 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mreɦ | 42 | kwɛɦnaa n mreɦ | 62 | kwɛɦroond n mreɦ | 82 | kwɛɦniind n mreɦ |
| 3 | mtaɦ | 23 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mtaɦ | 43 | kwɛɦnaa n mtaɦ | 63 | kwɛɦroond n mtaɦ | 83 | kwɛɦniind n mtaɦ |
| 4 | mnaa | 24 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnaa | 44 | kwɛɦnaa n mnaa | 64 | kwɛɦroond n mnaa | 84 | kwɛɦniind n mnaa |
| 5 | mnu | 25 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnu | 45 | kwɛɦnaa n mnu | 65 | kwɛɦroond n mnu | 85 | kwɛɦniind n mnu |
| 6 | mroond | 26 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mroond | 46 | kwɛɦnaa n mroond | 66 | kwɛɦroond n mroond | 86 | kwɛɦniind n mroond |
| 7 | Mlbleɦ | 27 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mlbleɦ | 47 | kwɛɦnaa n mlbleɦ | 67 | kwɛɦroond n mlbleɦ | 87 | kwɛɦniind n mlbleɦ’ |
| 8 | mniind | 28 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mniind | 48 | kwɛɦnaa n mniind | 68 | kwɛɦroond n mniind | 88 | kwɛɦniind n mniind |
| 9 | mwɛɦ | 29 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mwεɦ | 49 | kwɛɦnaa n mwεɦ | 69 | kwɛɦroond n mwεɦ | 89 | kwɛɦniind n mwεɦ |
| 10 | kwiɦr | 30 | kwɛɛtaɦ | 50 | kwɛɦnu | 70 | kwɛɛlbleɦ | 90 | kwɛɛwɛɦ |
| 11 | kwiɦr n myen | 31 | kwɛɛtaɦ n myen | 51 | kwɛɦnu n myen | 71 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n myen | 91 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n myen |
| 12 | kwiɦr n mreɦ | 32 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mreɦ | 52 | kwɛɦnu n mreɦ | 72 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mreɦ | 92 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mreɦ |
| 13 | kwiɦr n mtaɦ | 33 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mtaɦ | 53 | kwɛɦnu n mtaɦ | 73 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mtaɦ | 93 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mtaɦ |
| 14 | kwiɦr n mnaa | 34 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mnaa | 54 | kwɛɦnu n mnaa | 74 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnaa | 94 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnaa |
| 15 | kwiɦr n mnuu | 35 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mnu | 55 | kwɛɦnu n mnu | 75 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnu | 95 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnu |
| 16 | kwiɦr n mroond | 36 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mroond | 56 | kwɛɦnu n mroond | 76 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mroond | 96 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mroond |
| 17 | kwiɦr n mlbleɦ | 37 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mlbleɦ | 57 | kwɛɦnu n mlbleɦ | 77 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mlbleɦ | 97 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mlbleɦ’ |
| 18 | kwiɦr n mniind | 38 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mniind | 58 | kwɛɦnu n mniind | 78 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mniind | 98 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mniind |
| 19 | kwiɦr n mwɛɦ | 39 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mwεɦ | 59 | kwɛɦnu n mwεɦ | 79 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mwεɦ | 99 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mwεɦ |
| 20 | kwɛɛrɛɦ | 40 | kwɛɦnaa | 60 | kwɛɦroond | 80 | kwɛɦniind | 100 | lɛmu |
Time[edit]
Today
jana
Tomorrow
Su
After tomorrow
subɛtr, suvɛtr
Yesterday
dindiin
Before yesterday
Togdaa
Clock time
Waasu gama
Game
Gbuut, saɦla
Football
Bool gbuut
I play football
Mà gbul yarmga.
He plays guitar.
Ĥa gbul janjalu
Days[edit]
| Day | Nawdm |
| Monday | Dabyaku ,baraaku, kakaaku |
| Tuesday | Dlaaku, tɛɛnab |
| Wednesday | Tantaab, baragŋa(siou), tɛgnab |
| Thursday | Tiyaku, Koka yaku(BG), kpalbayaku (Siou) |
| Friday | Booku, nyamtyaku |
| Saturday | Laarbuga, gwedkpaaku |
| Sunday | Laad, sooku, kudyaku(BG), binaka (Siou, Bana) |
Months[edit]
There are 12 months by Nawdm people
| Month | Nawdm |
| 1) January | Kwɛɛr kidga |
| 2) February | Suunb kidga |
| 3) March | Kidg targa |
| 4) April | Toŋubuub, toŋbiilgu kidga |
| 5) May | Kpaab kidga, nadkpasaaga |
| 6) June | Figmoog̈b kidga |
| 7) July | Talb kidga |
| 8) August | Yobgwɛdgu kidga |
| 9) September | Duhool kidga |
| 10) October | Didimr kidga |
| 11) November | Kwɛnooga kidga |
| 12) December | Josɔɦb kidga |
Writing time and date[edit]
Colours[edit]
| white | Feelgu, feelm |
| Blue | Feerb |
| yellow | Moont |
| Brown | Butant gbanu, jii gbanu |
| Grey | Jankpalaɦm |
| Bronze | Niini gbanu |
| Black | Hoolgu |
| Red | Molgu |
| Green | Gwɛɦɛɛgu |
| Orange | Leemɦu gbanu |
| Pink | Sɔklb fiigu |
| Violet | Bool fiigu |
Transportation[edit]
| Transport | toɦdm |
| Aéroport | ɦam n lͻͻr baŋu |
| Air | ɦam |
| Ambulance, | ɦambilansŋu |
| Ascenseur | faaga kotgu |
| Autocar | yaglɔɔr |
| Automobile | kaaŋa |
| Aviation, | saŋgbanlɔɔr baŋu |
| Avion | saŋgbanlɔɔr |
| Barque | kpiirgu |
| Bateau | baatooŋu |
| Bicyclette | bibirga |
| Brouette, | burwɛtŋu |
| Bus | lɔɔgu |
| Calèche | deer lɔɔr |
| Camion | lɔɔr |
| Camionnette | lɔɔga |
| Carburant | kpaam |
| Chauffeur | ◦ lɔɔr jowda |
| Chemin de fer | gaku huru |
| Chemin, | huru |
| Circulation, | Huru kewm |
| Électricité | boglam |
| Embouteillage | kewm |
| Entreprise | Ŋmɛɛg̈b |
| Garage | daar |
| Hélicoptère | saŋgbanlɔɔrŋa |
| Pétrole | Karasiim |
| Poste, | wadii toollaŋa |
| Route | fɛɛhuru |
| Station de voiture | lɔɔra baŋu |
| Taxi | taksiiŋa |
| Taxi – moto | jɛɛd |
| Train | Girgu |
| Vélo | kekeŋa, kekɛnga, |
| Voyage | saama hurbermu |
| Voyageur | hurtia |
Directions[edit]
| English | Nawdm |
| A direction | kpaɦaab |
| A way | ɦuuru |
| A street | fɛɛhuru |
| A road | saama huru |
| A boulevard | saama hurmɔmu |
| An avenue | gilmb ɦuuru |
| A main road | saama hurbermu |
| A place | kaalaŋa, tagr |
| A crossroad | hurragr, hursansara |
| A railway | gaku ɦuuru |
| A subway | Tant kwɛɛn ɦuuru |
| The underground | kwɛɛn ɦuuru |
| Tout droit | biraa |
| Demi-tour | ɦooru kɔkɔgu |
| traffic circle | bogmͻlm |
| Church | soosi |
| Train station | gaku baŋu |
| A map | kɔrgu kartŋu |
| Where? | tee? |
| On | Jugun |
| In | nin |
| Near | L’ man |
| Far | vɔkun, bɔkun, bɔkon |
| Here | nnaɦ |
| There | laɦaa |
| Anywhere | baatee |
| Nowhere | riikan |
| Towards | wee |
| Alongside | Jugun |
| In front of | nɔngan |
| Behind | kaa, kawa |
| Right | najuudu ɦɛn |
| Left | galu ɦɛn |
Lodging[edit]
How to name up some places where you would like pass the night even your own house?
| A bathrobe | huurb n hegkaɦgu |
| A bathroom | huurtgu |
| A bathtub | Huurb |
| Restaurant | delaŋa |
| A bed | ɦabatŋa |
| A bunk bed | ɦabatii tajun |
| A coat hanger | baɦga, baɦb |
| A cupboard / a closet | kadakŋu |
| A dresser | ɦadakŋu |
| A hairdryer | jiikparŋtgu |
| A key | Saabr, safid, saafi |
| Polish | nanawda kpaam |
| A kitchenette | Dugdgua |
| Pomade | jii kpaam |
| A lamp | kand |
| A mini-bar | dabaŋu |
| A pillow | judɛɦdgu, lafeer |
| A sheet | draaŋu |
| A towel | fafaagu |
| Conditioner | Nigiitgu |
| Comb | sagdrtga |
| Linen | haaga dimgu |
| Shampoo | Sampuŋu |
| Soap | fɔfɔɔ |
| Toilet | binbadgu |
Money[edit]
lig̈biir
How much?
daɦt, alaaɦ?
Eating jub
Food diit
Cooking digm, diit digm
Breakfast[edit]
ɦateekwɛɛn diit, ɦateekwaan diit
Lunch
muunun diit, muungbowr diit
Dinner
jabr diit, jabhoolm diit
Water[edit]
Nyaalm
Milk
beɦeem
Tea
Tii
Plantain
ɦamadaaŋu
Banana ɦayabr
Bread
kpoonu
Pineapple
saama laŋkpadga
Mango
tamb
Coconut baŋkpurb
Papaya
ɦadibgu, ɦadimbgu
Tomato
jimadgu
Maize
jimadgu
Meat
Naanamgu
Rice miiri
Fish ɦɔlga
Chicken
kɔdahiir, kadahiir
Egg
kɔɔleer
Beans
Tiira
Stew
salambii Jit
Soup
Jit
Bread
kpoonu
Onion
gaabu, jaabu
Bars
baɦr
Shopping
Market yaaku
I want (a) _______
Mabagl ______
I have (a) _______
Ma ba n
Sell yaarm
Buy
daɦ
To buy
daɦb
To sell
gweedmb
BOOK
wadga
Driving
Road
saama hurbermu
Car loor
Authority[edit]
Government
kɔrgu
Gouverneur
kɔrgu huura
Animals and Insects
Bird
ŋmɛnga
Lizard
baŋa
Mouse
ɦɔŋr
Goat
burgu
Cow
naag̈b
Cat
muusŋa
Dog
gwԐԐgu
Monkey
waama
Elephant
ŋmɛŋmɛɛr
Crocodile
kaseegu
Bee
heb, hib
Mosquito
dumga
Housefly
joŋa
Butterfly
kpaŋkpaanga
Tse Tse
Fly
koljond, koljuŋu
Ant
gwɛɛm
Termite
jamru, ligr
sheep
fɛɛgu
Learning more
To phone
tangarfu
medicine
ragr
soap
fɔfɔɔ
Hospital
dɔgdŋu
Christmas
binkpeemr
Merry Christmas to you
B’ binkpeemrii, V’ binkpeemr
Happy new year to you
B’binkwɛɛlii