Basic Words

1. Aane

   Yes

   Usage

   "Yes." Nodding while you say it makes it unmistakable

   Grammar Note

   A one-word answer. The negative is Daabi.

2. Daabi

   No

   Usage

   "No." Also used to turn down offers and street sellers. Also spelled "Dabi"

   Grammar Note

   A one-word answer. The affirmative is Aane.

3. Mepa wo kyɛw

   Please

   Usage

   A polite marker placed before or after a request. Literally "I beg your pardon"

   Grammar Note

   A fixed phrase; it is not inflected for tense or negation.

4. Medaase

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most useful word to know. Say it after paying or being given directions

   Grammar Note

   Medaase is a contracted fixed form (me + da + aseɛ); learn it as one word.

5. Agoo

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get past someone or to announce yourself when entering a home or shop

   Grammar Note

   A one-word call used to get attention or to ask someone to let you through.

6. Mente aseɛ

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it when you miss what was said; it prompts the speaker to rephrase

   Grammar Note

   Negation is a nasal prefix (here me + n- + te). te aseɛ together means "to understand".

7. Mete aseɛ

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms that you followed the explanation so the conversation can move on

   Grammar Note

   The affirmative counterpart of Mente aseɛ.

8. Mennim

   I don't know

   Usage

   Use it when you are asked something and do not know the answer

   Grammar Note

   The verb nim "to know" takes the negative nasal prefix n-, giving mennim.

9. Mempɛ

   I don't want it

   Usage

   Use it to turn down vendors or extra orders. Pairing it with Daabi makes it firm

   Grammar Note

   The negative of pɛ "to want"; the nasal prefix becomes m- before p.

10. Twɛn kakra

    Wait a little

    Usage

    Use it while you look for your wallet or wait for a companion; for a short wait only

    Grammar Note

    twɛn is "wait" and kakra is "a little". The imperative is just the verb stem.

11. Twɛn me

    Wait for me

    Usage

    Use it when you are about to lose your companion or step away to fetch something

    Grammar Note

    twɛn takes its object directly. me serves as both "I" and "me".

12. Mepa wo kyɛw, kasa brɛoo

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    brɛoo is an adverb meaning "softly, gently". Use it to ask someone to slow down

    Grammar Note

    kasa is "to speak". brɛoo is an adverb placed after the verb.

13. Mepa wo kyɛw, boa me

    Please help me

    Usage

    A request for help that works with anyone when you are in difficulty

    Grammar Note

    boa me is "help me". Mepa wo kyɛw in front makes it polite.

14. Ɛyɛ

    It is OK

    Usage

    A short reply agreeing to a suggestion or explanation. Literally "it is good"

    Grammar Note

    yɛ is a stative verb "to be good". Ɛ is the subject prefix "it".

15. Eyi

    This

    Usage

    Combined with pointing, it works in shops and eateries alike

    Grammar Note

    "This." After a noun it appears as yi (for example kurow yi).

16. Ha

    Here

    Usage

    A place adverb, used for example in "Gyina ha" (stop here)

    Grammar Note

    An adverb meaning "here", placed after the verb.

17. Hɔ

    There

    Usage

    An adverb for pointing to a place away from you

    Grammar Note

    An adverb meaning "there", the counterpart of ha "here".

18. Afei

    Right now

    Usage

    The word for "now". Add it when you want something done right away

    Grammar Note

    afei is a time adverb meaning "now".

19. Onipa baako

    One person

    Usage

    Use it to state your party size at a ticket window or restaurant

    Grammar Note

    Numerals follow the noun. The plural of onipa is nnipa.

20. Nnipa mmienu

    Two people

    Usage

    States that there are two of you. For three people use mmiɛnsa

    Grammar Note

    nnipa is the plural of onipa, followed by the numeral mmienu.

21. Nnipa mmiɛnsa

    Three people

    Usage

    States that there are three of you

    Grammar Note

    nnipa is the plural of onipa, followed by the numeral mmiɛnsa.

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