As you learn how to speak the Twi language it is also very imperative that you learn a few Twi proverbs. A good Twi language speaker should be able to intersperse his or her sentences with on the spot witty proverbs to add colour and better understanding to what they are saying. Ultimately, learning Twi proverbs is an excellent way to increase your understanding of the Asante and Akan culture and the way Asantes think. Today, I have put together 10 interesting Twi proverbs for you to practice. Each proverb is in Twi, followed by its literal translation and then the English meaning. Try to memorize them and impress your Twi speaking friends!
Click the speaker button below to hear how they are properly said in Asante Twi.
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| Nea ɔforo dua pa na wɔpia no | |
| TRANSLATION | The one who climbs a good tree is the one who is helped |
| MEANING | If you set your eyes on a good course you will get helpers |
| Adeε nyinaa dan osuahunu | |
| TRANSLATION | Experience is the best teacher |
| MEANING | If you learn patiently you’ll success |
| Berε annuru annuru a, εtra | |
| TRANSLATION | Procrastination is the thief of time |
| MEANING | Procrastination destroys things |
| Dua baako gye mframa a εbu | |
| TRANSLATION | If one tree stands in the path of the wind, it falls |
| MEANING | One person should not take on everybody’s responsibility |
| Nea wɔnom hɔ no wɔnnware hɔ | |
| TRANSLATION | One should not bathe in the water others drink |
| MEANING | Do what is right |
| Ɛpare wo a, wosua nyansa | |
| TRANSLATION | One should learn from a near miss |
| MEANING | If you come out of a trouble you learn from it |
| Dwaman so wɔ mmara | |
| TRANSLATION | There are rules governing every market |
| MEANING | Everywhere has it own rules and regulations |
| Honam panin ne etire | |
| TRANSLATION | The head is the crown of the human body |
| MEANING | A person’s glory is his or her head |
| Kokora firi bamfo yam | |
| TRANSLATION | All things have their origin |
| MEANING | Everything has its kind here on Earth |
| Nea aba pεn na εsane ba | |
| TRANSLATION | History repeats itself |
| MEANING | Everything has happened before |
If your pronunciations don’t quite sound like the native speaker’s, go over the proverbs again until you get them right. I hope you enjoyed this short article. Please look for books on Twi proverbs and try to learn more from them. See you later for some more.
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I think that there are appropriate twi spellings for these names eg. Sap)n not sarpong. 3dweso and not Ejisu. Akyeampon and not Acheampong/Akyeampong.
My suggestion is that you try and introduce a row or column where words are first spelt appropriately. Then you can have how the Europeans spelt it as it has come to stay and then etc. If I am learning Asanti twi, dw(o,e,i) not the same as j(o,e,i).
Aside that there are alphabets that are not part of the twi alphabets and this distinction if not drawn will compromise on the true language you seek to teach and it’s quality. Thank you
Thank you for sharing. Not to many people in your position are so gracious. Your article was very poignant and understandable. It helped me to understand very clearly. Thank you for your help.
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