Learn Twi: Phrases, Greetings & Everyday Expressions
Greetings & Welcomes
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Akwaaba |
| I welcome you | Mema wo akwaaba |
| We welcome you | Yɛma wo akwaaba |
| Reply - to an elderly man | Yaa agya |
| Reply - to an elderly woman | Yaa ɛna |
| Reply - to a sibling, age mate or colleague | Yaa anua |
| Hello (General greeting) | Agoo |
| How are you? (Formal) | Wo ho te sɛn? |
| How are you? (Informal) | ɛte sɛn? |
| How is life? | Mpɔ mu te sɛn? |
| Reply: I'm fine, thank you | Me ho yɛ, me da ase |
| Reply: I'm fine | Me ho yɛ / Bɔkɔɔ / ɛyɛ |
| And you? | Me ho yɛ, na wo nsoɛ? |
| Long time no see | Yɛhyiaeɛ akyɛ |
Introductions & Personal Details
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| What’s your name? | Yɛfrɛ wo sɛn? |
| My name is ... | Yɛfrɛ me ... / Me din de ... |
| Where are you from? | Wo firi he? |
| I’m from ... | Me firi ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Ɛyɛ me anigyeɛ sɛ mehyiaa woɔ / Ɛyɛ me anigyeɛ sɛ yɛahyia / M’ani agye sɛ yɛahyia |
Daily Greetings
| Time of Day | Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Good morning | Me ma wo akye / Maakye |
| Reply (elderly man) | Yaa agya | |
| Reply (elderly woman) | Yaa ɛna | |
| Reply (peer) | Yaa anua | |
| Afternoon | Good afternoon | Me ma wo aha / Maaha |
| Replies as above | Yaa agya / Yaa ɛna / Yaa anua | |
| Evening | Good evening | Me ma wo adwo / Maadwo |
| Replies as above | Yaa agya / Yaa ɛna / Yaa anua | |
| Night | Good night | Da yie |
Farewells & Well-Wishes
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Goodbye | Nante yiye |
| We shall meet again | Yɛbɛhyia bio |
| We shall meet later | Akyire yi yɛbɛhyia |
| Good luck! | Mema wo tiri nkwa! |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey | Ɛkwan so dwoodwoo! |
Yes, No & Maybes
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Yes | Aane |
| No | Daabi |
| Maybe | Ebia |
| I don’t know | Mennim |
Understanding & Communication
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| I understand | Mete aseɛ |
| I don’t understand | Mente aseɛ |
| Please speak more slowly | Mepa wo kyɛw, wobɛtumi aka no brɛoo? |
| Please say that again | Mepa wo kyɛw, wobɛtumi aka no bio? |
| Please write it down | Mepa wo kyɛw, twerɛ ma me |
| Do you speak English? | Woka borɔfo kasa? / Woka potɔ kasa? |
| Yes, a little | Mete Twi kakra |
| How do you say ... in Twi? | Sɛn na wɔka ... wɔ Twi kasa mu? |
Polite Expressions
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Excuse me | Mepa wo kyɛ |
| Sorry | Kosɛ / Kafra |
| Please | Mepa wo kyɛw / Mepaa kyɛw |
| Thank you | Meda wo ase / Medaase / Meda wo ase pa ara / Meda wo ase pii |
Everyday Situations
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Where’s the toilet / bathroom? | Ɛhe na agyananbea no wɔ? / Agyananbea no wɔ he? |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | Aberanteɛ yi bɛtua biribiara / Aberanteɛ yi bɛtua ne nyinaa |
| This lady will pay for everything | Awuraba yi bɛtua biribiara / Awuraba yi bɛtua ne nyinaa |
| Would you like to dance with me? | Wobɛpɛ sɛ wo ne me bɛsa? |
| Do you come here often? | Wotaa ba ha? |
| I miss you | Mafe wo |
| I love you | Medɔ wo |
| Leave me alone! | Gyae me! |
| Help! | Boa me! |
| Fire! | Ogya! |
| Call the police! | Frɛ polisi! |
Festive & Friendly Greetings
| Occasion | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Christmas greetings | Afenhyia pa |
| Birthday greetings | Mema wo awoda pa |
Health & Emotions
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Are you done? | Woawie? |
| I’m ill | Meyare / Me ho mfa me |
| I’m hungry | Ɛkɔm de me |
| I feel sleepy | M’ani kum |
| Is everything alright? | Biribiara bɔkɔɔ deɛ? |
Directions & Actions
| Phrase (English) | Twi Translation |
|---|---|
| Show me the way | Kyerɛ me kwan no |
| I will pay | Mɛtua |
| Turn off the light | Dum kanea no |
| Turn on the light | Sɔ kanea no |
