Useful Twi Phrases
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The spelling I’m using is phonetic and not how you would write the language, because I can’t produce two of the characters they use on this keyboard. Also, the translation is not exact because I’m lazy.
Meh daasay = Thanks
Akwaaba = Welcome!
Ete sen = How are you?
Eh ye = I’m fine.
Na wo so eh = And you, how are you?
Wo din day sen = What is your name?
Meh din day John = My name is John
Meh re ko Legon = I’m going to Legon
Wo bay jay sen = What is the fare (for the taxi)?
Meh paa cho, te so = Please, reduce it
te so bio kakra = reduce it again a little
Yoo, Yenko = Alright, let’s go.
Way sen = This is how much?
Meh pay ankaa = I would like an orange
and the most popular word:
Oburoni = foreigner
23 Comments so far
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There are so many spelling and phonetic mistakes in your attempt to write Twi. It’s nevertheless a good effort because the idae is there and everybody who who understands and writes Twi will know what you were putting across.
Comment by Robert Nyarko, Apam 9 November 2007 @ 6:58 pmActually, I was aware of the mistakes. They were more or less deliberate because 1)ε and the other o letter that looks like a backwards c are not found on my keyboard and 2) I don’t think most of my family and friends are aware of the correct way to pronounce the words when they are written in Twi. I never figured that someone who is familiar with the language would check my work. My Twi professor would be dissapointed with me. Thanks for commenting, it’s fun to see that others are reading this besides my mom. (Though I do appreciate your comments, Mom)
Comment by kvinge 13 November 2007 @ 4:02 pmI think you’d be surprised by the number of people who are reading this. Your grandparents in Iowa have been delighted to share your site with friends and family who also love your writings.
Comment by Mom 14 November 2007 @ 1:55 pmThanks for keeping us informed and entertained. Mom
Are u studying Twi? Am glad to read you are stuying twi. In actual fact you made a good effort and was only drawing your attention to the few mistakes in you write up. Twi is spoken widely in Ghana but only few are able to read and write, even the very educated find it difficult to write because emphasis is placed more on English tnan the local languages. Hey, your mom is proud of you and am as well happy you are studying a language which is not widely spoken internationally.
Comment by ROBERT NYARKO, LONDON 18 November 2007 @ 3:36 pmI’m extremely impressed by your work. I was born and raised in Ghana and yet I have problems writing and my reading is awful. I think it’s really cool that you have such an interest in Twi considering it’s not the most popular language around. Just in case you’re interested, you can download programs allowing you to type the weird Akan characters from this site:
http://www.ghanakeyboards.com/downloads/
Sɛ wokɔ Ghana bio a, twerɛ me ansaana woaduru.
Comment by Christian Owusu 4 December 2007 @ 12:41 amwell done
Comment by joshepine ofosu 16 January 2008 @ 10:28 pmHey Rob !
Comment by Bernie Jinks 30 January 2008 @ 7:31 pmThanks for the little that you do know. I have a new friend in Accra, and I have being trying to find phrases in twi, so I can impress her, you know get on her good side. If you know anymore phrases that would help, please pass them on, thanks again
I would like to know how to write “i love you” in Twi, i should know being ghanaian, however never been taught the language (i understand, but cant speak it or rather embarrased cos i sound very silly in front of my grandparents)
its great what uv learnt keep it up!
Comment by Miss Osei 24 February 2008 @ 8:46 pmI think, and I hope someone will correct me here if I’m wrong, that I love you is “me dor wo.”
There’s a pretty good textbook on Twi called “A Comprehensive Course in Twi Asante for the Non-Twi Learner.” It’s by Florence Dolphyne. It’s expensive on amazon.com, but I got my copy at the University of Ghana bookstore for around $10.
Comment by kvinge 25 February 2008 @ 8:04 pmI love you is Medɔ wo. kvinge, you were on point with the phonetics though:) Good job.
Comment by Christian O. 28 April 2008 @ 9:41 pmwell you did your best, there are lots people actully living in ghana that can do what you have completed there, so your twi professor will not actually be dissappointed, mistakes are part of life so do be affraid of making them
Comment by Asare 23 June 2008 @ 12:27 amAny idea how to say merry christmas in Twi?
Comment by fekbeee 16 December 2008 @ 7:21 pmgod morning sweetheart i love you
Comment by newt 29 March 2009 @ 12:59 amTHIS IS REALLY GOOD
Comment by yaya 23 April 2009 @ 11:40 pmI love your attempts. I am also learning twi. My future kunu speaks twi and I want to impress him with a strong knowledge of his language. Of course since he is also an okyereyereni, he has taught me some as well!
Comment by Mirah 5 May 2009 @ 6:54 pmI found this very helpful great job!
Comment by Ny 22 November 2009 @ 10:20 pmGOod on you for publishing this!
Comment by Ghana Lady 12 May 2010 @ 4:16 pmEasy for ppl to critique.
Keep up the good work
I know this is somewhat unrelated but I must ask, as it is with the language where there is more emphasis is placed on the English language, what is the reason behind the apparent distancing of the locals from the traditional practices of Akom? (for the Akans)
Comment by Quacie 26 June 2010 @ 10:07 pmI thought for a while that it may just be Christianity being more popular but I am seeing a rise in Muslims as well. So why is it that the once highly respected Akomfo are no more?
good try, loo. you did your best. i am a Twi speaker but I am unable to write it. however, i can pretty much read it, and althoug you are off, you are close. “oburoni” yes, means foreigner but more specifically a white foreigner.
Comment by Samantha 4 July 2010 @ 6:03 pmthanks so much. nice and easy to comprehend. I was in kumasi in 2008. I am going in 2011. Work at our school there. get some building work done on a classroom
Comment by andy estrada 21 September 2010 @ 11:06 pmFrom my understanding Oburoni means white person but you said it means foreigner?
Comment by ASAMOAH 10 March 2011 @ 2:36 pmthis is so easy words to say
Comment by Sandra osei adjei 28 April 2011 @ 1:21 pmThat’s wonderful, It feels good when your able to expresse your self in most spoken languages. Well done and keep it up.
Comment by mercy montford ashie 2 May 2011 @ 3:02 am