You can travel all of Ghana in English — it’s the official language, spoken everywhere. But the moment you greet a trader with “ɛte sɛn?” or thank a driver with “medaase,” something shifts: faces light up, prices soften, and a stranger becomes a friend. Ghanaians genuinely delight in visitors who try, and a handful of Twi words is the single cheapest upgrade to your trip. Twi (an Akan language) is the most widely understood local tongue across southern and central Ghana, so it travels well. Here are the phrases worth knowing, how to say them, and when to use them.
Why bother with Twi?
Two reasons. First, warmth: greetings are deeply important in Ghanaian culture, and making the effort signals respect in a way English never can. Second, practicality: a little Twi helps you bargain in markets, connect with elders, and show you’re not just another tourist passing through. You won’t become fluent in a week — and you don’t need to. Even five or six phrases, used with a smile, open doors. Note that English is universal, so you’ll always have a fallback.
Essential greetings
Start here — greetings are non-negotiable in Ghana, and you’re expected to offer one when you enter a space.
| English | Twi | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome | Akwaaba | ah-KWAH-bah |
| How are you? | Ɛte sɛn? | eh-teh-SEN |
| I’m fine | Me ho yɛ | meh-ho-YEH |
| Good morning | Maakye | mah-CHEH |
| Good afternoon | Maaha | mah-HAH |
| Good evening | Maadwo | mah-JOH |
| Goodbye / safe journey | Nante yie | nan-teh-YEE-eh |
Please, thank you and politeness
These small courtesies carry enormous weight, especially with elders.
| English | Twi |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Medaase |
| Thank you very much | Medaase paa |
| Please | Mepa wo kyɛw |
| Sorry / pardon | Kafra |
| Yes / No | Aane / Daabi |
| My friend | Me adamfo |
A cultural note: Ghanaians often add “please” to the start of sentences even in English (“please, where is the station?”) — it’s a politeness marker, not servility, and you’ll quickly find yourself doing the same.
Getting around and the market
Where a little Twi really pays off — especially when you’re agreeing a taxi fare or haggling for cloth.
| English | Twi |
|---|---|
| How much is it? | Ɛyɛ sɛn? |
| It’s too much / expensive | Ɛyɛ den dodo |
| Reduce the price | Te so |
| Where is…? | …wɔ he? |
| I’m going to… | Me rekɔ… |
| Water | Nsuo |
| Food | Aduane |
| It’s delicious | Ɛyɛ dɛ |
Bargaining in Twi is half theatre, half fun — drop “ɛyɛ den dodo” with a smile and watch the negotiation warm up. (More on haggling in our shopping guide.)
Count to ten in Twi
Handy at the market and for fares: 1 baako, 2 mmienu, 3 mmiɛnsa, 4 ɛnan, 5 enum, 6 nsia, 7 nson, 8 nwɔtwe, 9 nkron, 10 du.
Your name in Twi: the day you were born
One of Ghana’s most charming customs is the “day name” — many Akan people carry a name based on the weekday they were born. Tell a Ghanaian your birth day and they’ll instantly give you yours: men are Kwadwo (Mon), Kwabena (Tue), Kwaku (Wed), Yaw (Thu), Kofi (Fri), Kwame (Sat), Kwasi (Sun); women are Adwoa, Abena, Akua, Yaa, Afua, Ama, Akosua. It’s a brilliant icebreaker and explains why you’ll meet so many Kofis and Amas. More in our Ghanaian culture guide.
Pronunciation: a few quick rules
- ɛ sounds like the “e” in “bed”; ɔ like the “o” in “off”.
- ky is roughly “ch” (so “medaase” partners with “kyɛw” said “chyew”).
- gy is roughly “j”.
- Twi is tonal, but don’t stress — locals will understand and gently correct you.
- When in doubt, lead with a smile and “akwaaba” energy; effort counts more than accuracy.
The bottom line
You don’t need to speak Twi to travel Ghana — but learning even a few words transforms how Ghanaians receive you. Master the greetings, “medaase,” “mepa wo kyɛw,” and “ɛyɛ sɛn?”, learn your day-name, and use them generously. The reward isn’t just smoother bargaining; it’s the genuine warmth that opens up when you meet a culture halfway. Pair this with our guides to Ghanaian etiquette and culture, and you’ll move through the country like a welcomed guest, not a tourist.
