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!!
Brilliant! Medasse!
meedase (brilliant) tysm (thank you so much)
Medaase paa paa! <3
Very important basics to learn and know.
Eten sen m’adamfo
Good job ?
Thank you so much I am a performing artist from the Caribbean who is in my dreams to visit ghana so I must prepare thank you so much
I speak Twi but I don’t know how to read or write Twi,but thanks, helpful
This one is very helpful!
Medaase paa!
Medaase paa! African-American here born in the south, with no knowledge or way to trace ancestry back to Africa. There fore I’ve tasked myself with learning as many African languages as I can, just to have some attachment to a home I’ll never know but will always love. Thank you so much for this there are very few materials for most African languages and every bit helps tremendously.