Explore different everyday expressions translated from English Language to Ewe Language in this writing.
1) How are you?Èfɔa?
Aleke nè fɔe?
Asking someone 'how are you'? is a very polite act. In Ewe, young people only use this expression among their peers but not to an elderly. In other words, it is the elderly that would ask a younger individual 'Èfoa?' and the young person responds, ' Meɖe kuku mefɔ' or 'Meɖe kuku 3'.
2) How's the family?
It is used commonly among adults when trying to ask of the welfare of one another's family whether the extended or nuclear. The family is called 'Ƒome' and it goes beyond parents and children.
3) Long time no see!
Mīe do go edzidzi
Having missed a friend for years or even days, our expressions is like ' Long time no see!' and what follows next is definitely a handshake for men and for females maybe a hug. Meet two Ewe natives conversating after years of not meeting each other and you will hear an expression like this.
4) Where have you been?
Smart phones today make it easy reaching friends without distance as a barrier but formerly, it was hard and when families or friends come together maybe for an occasion or something of the sort, this expression is quite often used to show ones concern for the other. The expression actually asks, where have you hidden all this while?
5) I understand
Me
se egɔme
The above is just the direct translation of what 'I understand' means.
6) Thank you
Akpe na wò
This expression is very common and even among people who aren't native Ewe speaking people, they know what this means very well. To say thank you very much, the translation will be; \Akpe na wò kaka'
7) Good morning to you
Ƞdi na wò
Don't be surprised the translation is only three words. Interesting to know is that nowadays, the usage of 'Good morning' has overshadowed the use of the above word. Seldom will you hear this word but among adults, it is an expression they commonly use and it is just amazing staying with them to hear them speak the depths of the language.
8) Good afternoon to you
Ƞdɔ na wò
This word is used to greet someone in the afternoon. In other words when the prefix 'kutsu' is added, it becomes the word 'Ƞdɔkutsu' which means 'sun'
9) Good evening
Efie
Used to greet in the evening or late afternoon. When used the other person also responds with the same word.
10) Please
11) I am sorry
Meɖe
kuku
The expression has myriad uses as in number 10 we see it mean PLEASE, and in this case too I AM SORRY, the applications are a lot. For instance, if a person is asking for pardon or begging for an excuse maybe from a punishment, he or she uses this expression.
12) Where were we?
Afi
kae míe tɔ ɖo?
The expression can also be used when trying to say, where have we stopped? and even among other uses in different situations.
13) I am hungry
Edɔ
le nye wum
One of the very common sayings especially from children as they worry their mother for food. Even a young children as they grow, this happens to be one of the sentences they learn to speak.
14) Let us eat
15) Food is ready
16) The bucket is full
17) Tune up a song / Raise a song
Do ha ɖa
18) Be careful
Kpɔ ɖo kui wò dzi nyuie
19) Be humble
20) Be calm
Dze eme
21) Be patient
22) Hurry up!
Wɔ kaba
23) Get out!
Do go
It will be mistakenly be pronounced by someone first learning the language as if it were English. This is the pronunciation: /Doo goo/ as in d r m f s.
24) What's your name?
Nu kɔ wò ɖe?
25) How long have you been working here?
Ƒe nenie nè nɔ dɔ wɔm le afi sia
26) I am thirsty
Tsi kɔ le nye wum
27) I am feeling cold
Vuvɔ le nye wɔm
28) I am not hungry
Dɔ mele nye wum o
29) I will be late
Me le megbe tsi ge
30) See you later
Mía do go
31) See you tomorrow
Etsɔ mía do go
32) Have a nice day
Nukekea ne nyo
33) Buy a pen for me in the market
Ƒle nuȠlɔti nam le asia me
34) School has closed
Suku kpa
35) Rain is about to fall
Tsi le dzadza ge
36) Don't get drunk!
Me ga mu aha oo
38) Too much of everything is bad
Nu ɖesiaɖe fuu me nyo oo
39) She is beautiful
Èdze tugbe
40) He is handsome
Èdze ɖe ka
41) The baby is crying
Vidzi la le avi fam
42) Who is knocking on the door?
Ame kae le woa Ƒom?
43) Fetch water into that container
Ku tsi ɖe tɔkpo la me
44) Learn hard!
Srɔ nu sesie
45) You look so happy
Ele dzi dzɔ kpɔm
46) This is good news
Nya nyuiee nye esia
47) We are on vacation
Míele mɔkeke me
48) We will travel the next day
Míe le mɔ zɔ ge etsɔ
49) Get back
Yi megbe
50) Be respectful!
Bu ame
Woe le dodzi lo
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