Greetings

1. Akwaaba

   Welcome

   Usage

   Welcome. Locals say it to visitors at hotels, shops and airports. The usual reply is "Medaase"

   Grammar Note

   Akwaaba is a fixed greeting word and is not split further. No tone marks are written.

2. Wo ho te sɛn?

   How are you?

   Usage

   "How are you?" A basic greeting for friends and elders alike. Put Nana / Maame / Agya before it when greeting an elder

   Grammar Note

   Literally "how is your self/body?". The question word sɛn comes last; there is no inversion.

3. Me ho yɛ

   I am fine

   Usage

   The reply to "Wo ho te sɛn?". Literally "my body is good"

   Grammar Note

   yɛ is a stative verb meaning "to be good". me ho is "my self/body".

4. Medaase

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you in Asante Twi. Akuapem Twi says "Meda wo ase". Use it after paying or being given directions

   Grammar Note

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

5. Me din de Kofi

   My name is Kofi

   Usage

   Self-introduction. Replace Kofi with your own name. Kofi is the name given to a boy born on a Friday

   Grammar Note

   din is "name" and de is "to be named". It answers "Wo din de deɛn?".

6. Nante yie

   Goodbye (go well)

   Usage

   Said to the person who is leaving. Literally "walk well"

   Grammar Note

   nante is "walk" and yie is "well". The imperative takes no special ending. This is composed from the words; it is not a confirmed fixed farewell formula.

7. Yɛbɛhyia bio

   We will meet again

   Usage

   Said when parting, meaning "we will meet again"

   Grammar Note

   The prefix bɛ- marks the future and attaches to the verb hyia "to meet". bio means "again". This sentence is composed from the words, not a confirmed fixed phrase.

8. Da yie

   Sleep well

   Usage

   A bedtime farewell. Literally "sleep well"

   Grammar Note

   da is "to sleep" and yie is "well". It is built like Nante yie. This is composed from the words, not a confirmed fixed phrase.

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