When I started learning twi, I found it very difficult to find clear vocab lists and pronunciation tips on the internet; therefore, now that I have progressed a little further in the language, I thought I’d write a guide to help others.

This guide has been written with thanks to Alex Boakye Antwi and Joseph Edward Addae.

Twi: A Beginners Guide

These are 40 phrases that I have found incredibly useful during my time in Ghana. If you are able to translate and speak all of these phrases and words, then you have officially passed the first stage of the course!

Twi	Pronunciation Advice	English
Ete sen?	Etty sen?	How are you?
Ey3 paa	Ay ye paa.	I am fine.
Wo ho te sen?	Wo ho te sen?	How are you?
Me ho y3	Me hoy ye.	I am well.
Nyame adom	Nya may adom.	By the grace of God (they say this a lot!)
Na wonso 33?	Na won sua?	And what about you?
Wo din de sen?	Wo din dee sen?	What is your name?
Me din de Cat	Me din dee Cat.	My name is Cat.
Wofi (ri) he?	Wo fri he?	Where do you come from?
Mefi (ri) England	Mefri England.	I come from England.
Akwaaba	As written	Welcome
Medaase	Me daa say!	Thank you!
Da yie	Da yeeay!	Good night!
Nante yie	Nan tee yee aay!	Safe journey!
Mem a wo akye	Maa chi!	Good morning!
Mem a wo aha	Maa haa!	Good afternoon!
Mem a wo adwo	Maa jo!	Good evening!
Mani agye	Manee adjay.	I am happy.
Wani agye?	Wanee adjay?	Are you happy?
Me sua twi kakra kakra	Me sueah twi kakra kakra.	I am learning twi little by little.
Wote Twi paa	Wo tay twi paa!	You speak twi very well.
Mereko laibri	Me re ko libree.	I am going to the library.
Okyena	Otchina	Tomorrow (can be used as “see you tomorrow!”
Y3behyia bio	Ye bishia beo!	We’ll meet again!
Aden?	Aden?	Why?
M’ani gye ho	Mani je ho.	I’m interested in it/ I like it.
Mani nnye ho	Mani ny ho.	I’m not interested in it/ I don’t like it.
Me didi	Me deedee	I am eating.
Me nom	Me nom	I am drinking.
M’adamfo	Me dam foe	Friend
Nsuo	Un sue oh	Water
Kwadu	Kwadu	Banana
Paanoo	Paanoo	Bread
Bra	Brah	Come
Ko	Ko	Go
Y3nko	Yanko	Let’s go!
Tw3n me	Charn me	Wait for me!
Daabi	Darbee	No
Aane	Ahnay	Yes
Eebia	Eee bee ah	Maybe

Basic pronouncation points:

3 –  e (as with French accent)

o – o (sharp o)

e – eee

ky – ch

gy – j

hy – sh

dw – j (slightly different sound, see video when uploaded)

Here are ‘Prof’ Edward and ‘Thunderboy’ Alex, from Abofour in the Ashanti region, helping out with the pronunciation! (I will ask Alex to smile in the next version.. he was happy really!!)

Beginners (Improvers) to soon follow!!