Not to be confused with the Tiwi phrasebook, a language spoken on the Tiwi Islands of the territory in Australia.

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

Common signs In Ghana, nearly all signage is in written in English. Occasionally, however, some print and media advertisements will incorporate words from the Twi language. Therefore these phrases will be helpful. OPEN Bie CLOSED To Pɔn ENTRANCE Bra (verb), Ɛkwan (noun) EXIT Pue (verb), Apueeɛ (noun) PUSH Pia mu PULL Twe TOILET Agyananbea MEN Barima (singular) / Mmɛmma (plural) WOMEN Ɔbaa (singular) / Mmaa (plural) FORBIDDEN Si ho kwan

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)

Greetings Note: The following responses to the greetings “good morning”, “good afternoon” or “good evening” are said according to the age category of the person you are speaking to. * Yaa nua (Response to a person who is of similar age to you, i.e. a friend or brother/sister) * Yaa εna (Response to an elder female, usually one or more generations above you) * Yaa agya (Response to an elder male, usually one or more generations above you) The first letter of agya, "a", is pronounced like the first "e" in "edge" Therefore it is pronounced as "Edga" * Yaa asɔn (Response to a younger person or a very young person, usually one generation or more below you.) Regardless of the time of day, the most popular greeting used is akwaaba. The response is meda wo ase. Welcome. Akwaaba. Thank you. Meda wo ase. Medaase pii. (lit. I greatly thank you. Its something that would be said if someone is to be invited into someone’s home for the first time.

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

Nnanson The six-day week is referred to as nnanson (literally seven-days) and reflects the lack of zero in the numbering systems. This system uses inclusive counting. fo guilty verdict (passing sentence); judgement day bemim not guilty verdict (passing sentence); judgement day nwuna sleep (death) day; funerals day; covered day nkyi behind (hate-taboo) day; destroyed day. kuro town (ie. political) day; royal day kwa for nothing ('just like that', free, unrestrained) day, servant day mono fresh (starting) day

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

Transportation

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.