Useful Phrases

1. Nyee nye Japantɔ

   I am Japanese

   Usage

   Says your nationality when introducing yourself

   Grammar Note

   nyee nye … is “I am …”. Japantɔ is Japan + -tɔ “person”.

2. Nyee nye mɔzɔla

   I am a traveler

   Usage

   Tells people you are traveling

   Grammar Note

   mɔzɔla is mɔ zɔ “travel the road” + -la “one who”.

3. Mele mɔ zɔm nye ɖeka

   I am traveling alone

   Usage

   Tells people you are traveling alone

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words; le mɔ zɔm “is traveling” appears in published Ewe texts and nye ɖeka means “I alone”. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

4. Esia nye zi gbãtɔ si mele afisia

   It is my first time here

   Usage

   Say it at a place you are visiting for the first time

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words: zi “time (occasion)”, gbãtɔ “first”, si the relative marker. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

5. Mègable nam o!

   Do not cheat me!

   Usage

   Say it firmly when you feel you are being cheated, for example over a price

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words: ble “deceive”. A prohibition is mèga- + verb + final o, as in scripture’s mègable ɖokuiwò o “do not deceive yourself”. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

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