Basic Twi for Travelers

Welcome to Ghana! Twi (or Akan) is the most widely spoken language in the country. This guide gives you essential words and phrases to help you navigate markets, restaurants, transport, and everyday interactions with confidence.

Why Learn a Few Twi Phrases?

Shows respect for the local culture.
Breaks the ice and makes people more willing to help.
Can be fun Ghanaians love teaching visitors their language.
Even a few correct words can turn a routine transaction into a friendly exchange.

Pronunciation Tips

Vowels: a (as in father), e (as in bed), i (as in see), o (as in go), u (as in tool).

Consonants: w is like English w. y is like English y. (spelled ng) is the sound in sing. The r is a light tap, similar to Spanish.

Stress is usually on the first syllable of a word.

Essential Greetings

English	Twi	Pronunciation
Hello / Hi	Agya / Akwaaba	ahgya / ahkwahbah
Good morning	Mema wo akye	mehmah wo ahcheh
Good afternoon	Mema wo aha	mehmah wo ahhah
Good evening	Mema wo adwo	mehmah wo adwoh
Good night	Da yie	da yee
How are you?	Wo ho te sn?	wo ho teh sen?
Im fine, thank you.	Me ho y	meh ho yeh
Thank you	Medase	mehdahseh
Yes	Aane	ahneh
No	Dabi	dabee

Polite Phrases

English	Twi	Pronunciation
Please	Mepa wo kyw	mehpah wo chehw
Excuse me / Sorry	Kafra	kahfrah
Can you help me?	Wobtumi aboa me?	wobehtoomee ahboah meh?
Where is ?	w he?	woh heh?
How much?	he na ka?	ehheh nah ehkah?
Do you speak English?	Woka Borfo?	wohkah bohrofo?
I dont understand.	Minte ase	minteh ahseh

Numbers (120)

Number	Twi	Pronunciation
1	Baako	bahkoh
2	Mmienu	mmeenoo
3	Miensa	meeensah
4	Anan	ahnan
5	Num	noom
6	Nsia	nseeah
7	Nson	nson
8	Awotw	ahwotw
9	Akron	ahkron
10	Du	doo
11	Du baako	doo bahkoh
12	Du mmienu	doo mmeenoo
13	Du miensa	doo meeensah
14	Du anan	doo ahnan
15	Du num	doo noom
20	Aduonum	ahdoonoom

At the Market

Buying food, clothing, or souvenirs? Use these phrases to make a smooth transaction.

This one, please: Eyi, mep ehyee, mehpeh.
How much for this? Eyi y he? ehyee yeh heh?.
Can you give a discount? Wobtumi de kt? wobehtoomee deh kohtoh?.
Too expensive! y den! ehyeh den!.
Ill take it. Me bfa no. meh behfah noh.

Eating Out

Menu, please. Mepa wo kyw, menu no.
What do you recommend? Dn na wop s me di?
Vegetarian. Me nni nam.
Water Nsu
Beer Bi
Check, please. Mep ka no.

Getting Around

Where is the bus station? Bus station w he?
Is this seat taken? Woby seat yi?
One ticket, please. Tikiti baako, mep.
How far is ? y dso?

Emergency Phrases

Help! Boa me!
Call the police. Fr police.
I need a doctor. Mep dkot.
I'm lost. Wakyi me.
Where is the nearest hospital? Hospital a bn ha w he?

Practice Tips

Listen to locals street vendors, taxi drivers, and market sellers use simple, clear Twi.
Repeat phrases aloud; the rhythm helps memory.
Carry a small notebook with the most useful expressions.
Dont be afraid of mistakes; a smile goes a long way.

Quick Reference Card (CopyPaste)

Hello / Hi  Agya / AkwaabaThank you  MedasePlease  Mepa wo kywYes  AaneNo  DabiWhere is ?   w he?How much?  he na ka?I dont understand  Minte aseHelp!  Boa me!

Reference Files For Basic Twi For Travelers

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