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10 Twi Phrases Every Visitor to Ghana Should Know

Richard Asiamah
👋 Hey, I'm Richard!

I founded Speak Ghana to help people like you connect with our beautiful language and culture. I've taught hundreds of students and I'm excited to help you too!

So you're planning a trip to Ghana? Or maybe you're just curious about the language?

Either way, you're in the right place.

Here's the thing: Ghanaians LOVE when visitors try to speak Twi. Even if you mess up. Even if your pronunciation is way off. The effort alone will make people smile.

So let's get you ready. Here are 10 Twi phrases that will actually be useful when you land.

1️⃣
Akwaaba – Welcome
Say: Ah-kwah-bah

You'll see this everywhere. On signs, in shops, at the airport. It's our way of saying "you belong here."

Try this: When someone says "Akwaaba" to you, just smile and say "Medaase" (thank you).
Ghanaian woman smiling
2️⃣
Me ma wo akye – Good morning
Say: Meh mah woh chee

The short version is just "Maakye" (Mah-chee). Everyone uses the short version.

When to use: Morning time, until noon. Say this to an elder and you might get a hug!
3️⃣
Me ma wo aha – Good afternoon
Say: Meh mah woh ah-hah

Short version: "Maaha" (Mah-hah). Use from noon until evening.

4️⃣
Me ma wo adwo – Good evening
Say: Meh mah woh ah-joh

Short version: "Maadwo" (Mah-joh). Use after sunset.

5️⃣
Wo ho te sɛn? – How are you?
Say: Woh hoh teh sen?

You'll hear this constantly. At the shop, on the street, everywhere.

How to answer: "Me ho ye" (May hoh yeh) – I'm fine.
Ask them back: "Na wo nso?" (Nah woh n-soh?) – And you?
6️⃣
Me din de... – My name is...
Say: May din day...

This is how you introduce yourself.

Example: "Me din de Richard."
They'll say: "Ɛyɛ sɛ wo hunu wo" (Eh-yeh seh woh hoo-noo woh) – Nice to meet you.
7️⃣
Medaase – Thank you
Say: Meh-dah-ah-seh

Learn this one. Use it all the time. It's magic.

For extra thanks: "Medaase pa" (Meh-dah-ah-seh pah) – Thank you very much.
8️⃣
Ɛyɛ – It's nice / It's good
Say: Eh-yeh

Use this for everything. The food is ɛyɛ. The weather is ɛyɛ. The music is ɛyɛ.

Example: "Ɛyɛ pa ara" (Eh-yeh pah ah-rah) – It's really nice.
9️⃣
Yoo – Okay / Alright
Say: Yoh

Short and simple. Use it like you use "okay" in English.

Example: Someone tells you the taxi is coming at 5pm. You say: "Yoo."
🔟
Nante yie – Goodbye / Go well
Say: Nan-teh yeh

When someone is leaving, you say this to them.

If you're leaving: They might say "Kɔ yie" (Koh yeh) – Go well.

🌟 Richard's Advice

Pick three phrases from this list. Practice them today. Say them out loud right now. Don't worry about being perfect.

Then when you get to Ghana and someone's face lights up because you said "Akwaaba" back to them... you'll understand why this matters.

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