Basic Verbs

1. Kɔ

   To go

   Usage

   The basic verb "to go". Add a subject prefix, as in "Mekɔ fie" (I am going home)

   Grammar Note

   The bare stem is the imperative. Subject prefixes are me- (I) and wo- (you).

2. Bra

   To come

   Usage

   The verb "to come", as in "Bra ha" (come here)

   Grammar Note

   bra is the imperative "come". With a subject prefix the stem becomes ba, as in meba "I come".

3. Mepɛ sɛ medi aduane

   I want to eat

   Usage

   The basic way to say you want a meal. Always keep an object such as aduane with di

   Grammar Note

   pɛ sɛ is followed by a new subject and verb. Never use di without an object such as aduane.

4. Nom

   To drink

   Usage

   The verb "to drink", as in "menom nsuo" (I drink water)

   Grammar Note

   nom is "to drink"; nsa nom means to drink alcohol.

5. Tɔ

   To buy

   Usage

   The verb "to buy", as in "Mepɛ sɛ metɔ eyi" (I want to buy this)

   Grammar Note

   tɔ is "buy" and tɔn is "sell"; the final n tells them apart, so do not drop it.

6. Tɔn

   To sell

   Usage

   The verb "to sell", as in "Wotɔn nsuo?" (do you sell water?)

   Grammar Note

   tɔn is "to sell", tɔ with a final n.

7. Hwɛ

   To look

   Usage

   The verb "to look at, to watch"

   Grammar Note

   hwɛ is "to look". Do not mix up the spelling with hwee "nothing".

8. Twɛn

   To wait

   Usage

   The verb "to wait", as in "Twɛn me" (wait for me)

   Grammar Note

   twɛn is "to wait"; always spell it with the final n.

9. Hwehwɛ

   To look for

   Usage

   Use it when searching, as in "Mepɛ sɛ mehwehwɛ ɔdan" (I want to look for a room)

   Grammar Note

   hwehwɛ is "to look for".

10. Hia

    To need

    Usage

    The verb "to need", as in "Mehia aduro" (I need medicine)

    Grammar Note

    me- before hia gives "I need".

11. Pɛ

    To want / to like

    Usage

    Covers both "want" and "like", as in "Mepɛ eyi" (I want this)

    Grammar Note

    pɛ is "to want, like". The negative is mempɛ.

12. Boa

    To help

    Usage

    The verb "to help", as in "Boa me!" (help me)

    Grammar Note

    boa is "to help"; the noun mmoa means "help".

13. Bisa

    To ask

    Usage

    The verb for asking a question

    Grammar Note

    bisa is "to ask".

14. Kasa

    To speak

    Usage

    Means both "to speak" and "language"

    Grammar Note

    kasa works as both a verb and a noun.

15. Tena

    To sit / to stay

    Usage

    Used for both "sit" and "stay", as in "Mepɛ sɛ metena ha" (I want to stay here)

    Grammar Note

    tena is "to sit, to remain".

16. Da

    To sleep

    Usage

    The verb "to sleep, to lie down"

    Grammar Note

    da is "to sleep", as in "Da yie".

17. Gyina

    To stand / to stop

    Usage

    The verb "to stand, to stop". Use "Gyina ha" to ask a driver to stop here

    Grammar Note

    gyina is "to stand"; with -bea it becomes gyinabea "stopping place".

18. Frɛ

    To call

    Usage

    The verb "to call", as in "Frɛ opolisini" (call the police officer)

    Grammar Note

    frɛ is "to call".

19. Tua

    To pay

    Usage

    The verb "to pay", as in "Mepɛ sɛ metua sika" (I want to pay)

    Grammar Note

    tua is "to pay".

Browse all TravelPhrases languages