The Ewe language (pronounced “Eh‑veh”) is one of the most expressive and melodic languages of West Africa. Spoken across Ghana’s Volta Region and southern Togo, Ewe carries centuries of wisdom, identity, and cultural pride. This mini‑dictionary offers a practical introduction to everyday Ewe — perfect for travelers, diaspora returning home, and anyone exploring the culture of Ho, Hohoe, Keta, Anloga, Kpando, and beyond.
This guide includes:
Basic greetings
Everyday expressions
Numbers
Days of the week
Family terms
Nature & environment
Cultural expressions
Respectful forms
Common verbs
Short phrases
Travel vocabulary
Market vocabulary
Food vocabulary
Proverbs (short selection)
| Ewe | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Woezɔ | Welcome | Used everywhere in Volta Region. |
| Mia woezɔ | You are all welcome | Plural form. |
| Ŋdi | Eat | Often used as “You’re invited.” |
| Ŋdi na mi | You are invited (to eat) | Hospitality phrase. |
| Ndi na wo | You are invited (singular) | Very common. |
| Fiɛ | Come | Friendly call. |
| Fiɛ na mi | Come to us | Plural. |
| Akpe | Thank you | Short form. |
| Akpe na wo | Thank you (singular) | Polite. |
| Akpe na mi | Thank you (plural) | Polite. |
| Mawu ne dzɔ wo | God bless you | Very common blessing. |
| Mawu ne dzɔ mi | God bless you all | Plural. |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Ele mi? | How are you? |
| Ele mi o. | I am fine. |
| Ele wò? | How are you (singular)? |
| Ele wò o. | I am fine (singular). |
| Metsɔ wò. | I see you / I understand. |
| Meɖe wò. | I hear you. |
| Metsɔa. | I am coming. |
| Mele gbɔna. | I am here. |
| Mele afima. | I am there. |
| Mele agbe. | I am alive / I am well. |
| Metsɔ agbe. | I am enjoying life. |
| Metsɔ nu. | I am eating. |
| Mele dɔwɔnu. | I am working. |
| Number | Ewe |
|---|---|
| 1 | Éka |
| 2 | Éve |
| 3 | Éto |
| 4 | Éne |
| 5 | Étɔ̃ |
| 6 | Édrɔ |
| 7 | Éwoe |
| 8 | Éde |
| 9 | Ésia |
| 10 | Éwɔ |
| 11 | Éwɔ kple éka |
| 12 | Éwɔ kple éve |
| 20 | Blé |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Dzoɖa | Monday |
| Braɖa | Tuesday |
| Kuɖa | Wednesday |
| Yawoɖa | Thursday |
| Fiɖa | Friday |
| Memleɖa | Saturday |
| Kɔsiɖa | Sunday |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Togbui | Grandfather / Elder |
| Mama | Mother |
| Tata | Father |
| Dada | Sister |
| Togbe | Brother |
| Vi | Child |
| Tɔvi | Boy |
| Nyɔvi | Girl |
| Dɔla | Husband |
| Nyɔnu | Wife |
| Fia | King / Chief |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Tɔgbe | Mountain |
| Tɔgbe Afadzato | Mount Afadjato |
| Tsi | Water |
| Tsi gã | Big water (lake/sea) |
| Tsi nyuie | Clean water |
| Aƒe | House |
| Aƒe gã | Big house |
| Agble | Farm |
| Agbleɖo | Farmer |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Wòna mi | Please (plural) |
| Wòna wò | Please (singular) |
| Miawoe | You all |
| Miawoe nye | My people |
| Miawoe le agbe | Long life to you all |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Dɔ | Love |
| Nu | Eat |
| Fiɛ | Come |
| Gblɔ | Speak |
| Wɔ | Do / Make |
| Kɔ | Go |
| Va | Come |
| Dzi | Live / Sit |
| Tɔ | Buy |
| Tɔ na mi | Buy for us |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Meɖe kuku. | I am tired. |
| Meɖe kuku o. | I am not tired. |
| Metsɔ wò nyuie. | I like you. |
| Metsɔ agbe. | I enjoy life. |
| Mele afima. | I am there. |
| Mele gbɔna. | I am here. |
| Meva. | I am coming. |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Taxi | Taxi |
| Bus | Bus |
| Agbadza | Traditional dance |
| Fia | Chief |
| Agble | Farm |
| Aƒe | House |
| Tɔgbe | Mountain |
| Tsi | Water |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Tɔ | Buy |
| Tɔ na mi | Buy for us |
| Nu | Thing / Item |
| Nu gã | Big item |
| Nu si | Small item |
| Wɔ nu | Make something |
| Gblɔ nu | Say the price |
| Ewe | English |
|---|---|
| Akple | Corn dumpling |
| Abolo | Steamed corn bread |
| Ademe | Jute leaves soup |
| Fetridetsi | Okra soup |
| Abobi | Sardine stew |
| Red fish | Fried fish |
| Dzomi | Palm oil |
| Tsi | Water |
| Ewe | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ame le ame me. |
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| Agbe nya kpɔ. |
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| Xɔse nye agbe. |
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| Ame si wòna nu o, wòna dzi o. |
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