Asante Twi: basic phrases and interesting facts
Do you plan on visiting Ghana and are not sure whether the people in the country speak the same language as you do? If that is the case, it is prudent to note that the citizens of Ghana are so proud of their language that you are likely to experience cases where someone might respond to you in their native language. That should not be a reason for you to panic because you can juggle the communication barrier by trying to familiarize yourself with some of these Asante Twi phrases.
Source: UGC
If you are new to the language and are wondering what countries speak Twi, it is important to note that Asante Twi is a language that people in the southern parts of Ghana speak. It, therefore makes it vital to learn some of the basic Asante Twi phrases that are likely to come up during conversations. They will also play a very important role in handling the issue of the communication barrier.
Translate English to Twi Ghana
Are you looking forward to learning this awesome language? If that is the case, learning the most basic phrases that could be used to construct sentences in Twi could go a long way. These are the different phrases and their meaning:
READ ALSO: Spoken languages in Ghana
Phrases to use for greetings
These are some of the phrases that could be used to exchange greetings. It is important to note that the greetings are very deliberate to the different times of the day as well as the age of the person that you will be saying hi to.
- Maakye - This is a term used to refer to greetings exchanged in the morning.
- Yaa agya - This is response for good morning to an elderly man.
- Yaa ɛna - It refers to response for good morning to an elderly woman.
- Yaa anua -It refers to response for good morning for someone who is nearly your age.
- Maaha - It is used to refer to greetings in the afternoon.
- Maadwo - It refers to greetings exchanged in the evening.
- Da yie - Goodnight.
- Etesen? - When translated to English, this means, 'How are you?'
- Agoo - In English, it means Hello.
- Wo ho te sεn? - It iss the translation for How are you?
- Mpɔ mu te sεn? -It is used to mean 'How is life?'
- Biribiara bɔkɔɔ deɛ? - 'Is everything alright?'
- Yɛhyiaeɛ akyɛ - Means long time no see.
- Afenhyia pa - It refers to greetings exchanged during Christmas.
- Mema wo awoda pa - It refers to birthday wishes.
Parting Twi phrases
At the end of the conversation, one can excuse themselves by using any of these parting phrases:
- Nante yiye - Used to mean goodbye.
- Akyire yi yɛbɛhyia - Means we shall meet later
- Yɛbɛhyia bio - It means 'we shall meet again'.
- Ɛkwan so dwoodwoo! - To mean 'have a good journey'.
Twi phrases in business
In case you happen to be in a business setting and are not familiar with the phrases to say, these are some of the lines that you could try out:
- Eyɛ sɛn? - It means How much is this?
- Aberanteɛ yi bɛtua biribiara - It means 'This gentleman will pay for everything'
- Aberanteɛ yi bɛtua ne nyinaa - It means 'This lady will pay for everything'
- Mɛtua - To mean 'I will pay'
Courteous Asante Twi phrases
Source: UGC
Courtesy is one of the most important aspects of traditional African setups. As a result, it is important to note some of the courteous phrases that you could use while communicating in Asante Twi. These phrases include:
- Mepa wo kyɛw - Used to mean please.
- Mepaa kyɛw - Could also be used to mean please.
- Meda wo ase - Thank you .
- Medaase - Thank you.
- Meda wo ase pa ara - Thank you.
- Meda wo ase pii cou - Thank you.
- Akwaaba - Welcome.
- Mema wo akwaaba - I welcome you.
- Yaa agya - Welcome to an elderly man.
- Yaa ɛna - Welcome to an elderly woman.
- Yaa anua -Welcome to an agemate, sibling or colleague.
- Yɛma wo akwaaba - We welcome you.
- Ɛyɛ me anigyeɛ sɛ mehyiaa woɔ - Pleased to meet you.
- Ɛyɛ me anigyeɛ sɛ yɛahyia - Pleased to meet you.
- M’ani agye sɛ yɛahyia - Pleased to meet you.
- Mepa wo kyɛw, wobɛtumi aka no brɛoo? - Please speak more slowly.
- Mepa wo kyɛw, twerɛ ma me - Please write it down.
- Mepa wo kyɛw, wobɛtumi aka no bio? - Please say that again.
- Sɛn na wɔka ... wɔ Twi kasa mu? - How do you say ... in Twi?
- Kosɛ - Sorry.
- Kafra - Sorry.
- Mepa wo kyɛ - Excuse me
- Mepa wo kyɛw - Please.
- Mepaa kyɛw - Please.
- Meda wo ase pii -Thank you.
- Meda wo ase - Thank you.
- Meda wo ase pa ara - Thank you.
- Medaase - Thank you.
- Wobɛpɛ sɛ wo ne me bɛsa? - Would you like to dance with me?
General Asante Twi phrases
Source: UGC
These are some of the general phrases that you might want to learn and use during conversations:
- Yɛferɛ wo sɛn? - What is your name?
- Me din de ... - My name is...
- Yɛferɛ me ... - My name is...
- Wo fire he? - Where are you from?
- Me firi ... - I am from...
- Aane - Yes.
- Ebia - Maybe.
- Daabi - No.
- Mete aseɛ - I understand.
- Mennim - I do not know.
- Mente aseɛ - I do not understand.
- Woka potɔ kasa? - Do you speak English?
- Woka borɔfo kasa? - Do you speak English?
- Mete Twi Kakra - Yes, a little.
- Ɛhe na agyananbea no wɔ? - Where is the toilet?
- Agyananbea no wɔ he? - Where is the bathroom?
- Wotaa ba ha? - Do you come here often?
- Woawie? - Are you through?
- Ɛkɔm de me - I am hungry.
- Me ho mfa me - I am unwell.
- Meyare - I am ill.
- M'ani kum - I am sleepy.
- Sɔ kanea no -Turn on the lights.
- Dum kanea no - Turn off the lights.
- Kyerɛ me kwan no - show me the way.
Other Asantee Twi phrases
You could also use these phrases to draw the attention of those around you:
- Boa me! - Help!
- Gyae me! - Leave me alone!
- Ogya! - Fire!
- Frɛ polisi! - Call th epolice!
Interesting facts about Asante Twi
- The Asante Twi language is the most popular language that is spoken in the Southern region of Ghana.
- It is a local dialect that is spoken by the Asante who are natives of the Akan.
- The Asante Twi use the days of the week to name children.
- Most of the phrases are shared between the Asante Twi and the Akkuapem Twi.
If you happen to be visiting the Southern region, familiarising with some of these Asante Twi phrases will play a major role in ensuring that you do not go through a difficult moment trying to communicate. It is also one way of enriching yourself on the culture of the community.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
