Nawdm phrasebook

Nawdm, {nàwdḿ} is a language spoken in parts of Ghana and Togo in the region of West Africa.

Nawdm is the language of the Nawdba (singular: Nawda). The Nawdba are settled in the north of Togo, in the Prefecture of Doufelgou. From there, large numbers migrated to central and southern Togo and also to Ghana. Nawdm is a voltaic language (or gur), classified by Manessy, Gabriel, with the yom of Benin, in a separate group of the Oti-Volta subfamily.

Alphabet

There are thirty one (31) Nawdm letters of alphabet.

A                      a

B                       b

Nawdm people from Niamtougou,Togo in the West Africa

D                       d

E                        e

Ɛ                        ɛ

F                        f

G                        g

Gw                  gw

Gb                   gb

H                        h

Ĥ                        ɦ

I                          i

J                         j

K                        k

Kw                    kw

Kp                    kp

L                         l

M                        m

N                        n

Ny                    ny

Ŋ                        ŋ

Ŋm                   ŋm

O                        o

Ɔ                        ɔ

R                        r

S                        s

T                        t

U                        u

V                        v

W                       w

Y                       y

Vowels

There are short and long vowels in Nawdm.

Short vowels

We have seven (7) vowels:

A, E, Ԑ, I, O, Ͻ, U (a, e, ε, i, o, ͻ, u)

Long vowels

We get the long vowels whenever we stretch a short vowel a little. Thus, we double the letter when writing it.

AA, EE, ԐԐ, II, OO, ϽϽ, UU (aa, ee, εε, ii, oo, ͻͻ, uu)

Consonants

There are 24 consonants in Nawdm language:

B, D, F, G, Gw, Gb, H, ɦ, J, K, Kw, Kp, L, M, N, Ny, Ŋ, Ŋm, R, S, T, V, W, Y.

Common diphthongs

Gw, Gb, Kp, Ny, Ŋm,

Phrase list

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Basics

Welcome.

Bdanmii/ ndanmii

Ok (response to welcome) yoo

How is it?

L ked lan?

Response to hello

L keda hom

How are you?

L' ba laa?/ L' ba

Yes am fine

Mba hom

What is your name?

Ba ɦolb na wenii?/ ba ɦolb na bee?

My name is ______ .

Ba ɦolma naa ______.

Ma ɦidr nnii  ___________

  Please Di kɛwr

Excuse me ! Agoo

Thanks.

  You're welcome/It's a pleasure

  Ben ɦεra wεgb

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Ma jowb

I'm sorry yen

Goodbye ( I am going)

Ma nyabn

We will meet again

T’ ba t’ taη

I can't speak Nwadm.

Ma kpaa gwɛɛla Nawdm

I'm learning Nawdm

Ma kpεlηa Nawdm

Do you speak English?

Ma gwɛɛla ηglism

Does anyone here speak English?

ɦii gwɛɛla ηglism Nnaɦ?

Help me!

tͻrg man!

Look out!

Gwedg nnaɦ!

Good morning.

b rorbii, v robii

Good afternoon.

b muunu, v Muunun

Good evening.

b jabrii, v jabrii

Good night (to sleep)

B’ doot hϽm

I am going to bed/sleep

Ma keeda ma doot

I don't understand.

Ma kpakewa Where is the toilet?

Bin badgu ba te?

White person

saamaɦ

Visitor

saanaɦ

Problems

I am sick

L’weera ma

Sickness

bԐɦyiHurt/Injured

Ha nyadg ayen

Numbers

Jugu, calb

1	myen	21	kwɛɛrɛɦ n myen	41	kwɛɦnaa n myen	61	kwɛɦroond n myen	81	kwɛɦniind n myen
2	mreɦ	22	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mreɦ	42	kwɛɦnaa n mreɦ	62	kwɛɦroond n mreɦ	82	kwɛɦniind n mreɦ
3	mtaɦ	23	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mtaɦ	43	kwɛɦnaa n mtaɦ	63	kwɛɦroond n mtaɦ	83	kwɛɦniind n mtaɦ
4	mnaa	24	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnaa	44	kwɛɦnaa n mnaa	64	kwɛɦroond n mnaa	84	kwɛɦniind n mnaa
5	mnu	25	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnu	45	kwɛɦnaa n mnu	65	kwɛɦroond n mnu	85	kwɛɦniind n mnu
6	mroond	26	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mroond	46	kwɛɦnaa n mroond	66	kwɛɦroond n mroond	86	kwɛɦniind n mroond
7	Mlbleɦ	27	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mlbleɦ	47	kwɛɦnaa n mlbleɦ	67	kwɛɦroond n mlbleɦ	87	kwɛɦniind n mlbleɦ’
8	mniind	28	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mniind	48	kwɛɦnaa n mniind	68	kwɛɦroond n mniind	88	kwɛɦniind n mniind
9	mwɛɦ	29	kwɛɛrɛɦ n mwεɦ	49	kwɛɦnaa n mwεɦ	69	kwɛɦroond n mwεɦ	89	kwɛɦniind n mwεɦ
10	kwiɦr	30	kwɛɛtaɦ	50	kwɛɦnu	70	kwɛɛlbleɦ	90	kwɛɛwɛɦ
11	kwiɦr n myen	31	kwɛɛtaɦ n myen	51	kwɛɦnu n myen	71	kwɛɛlbleɦ n myen	91	kwɛɛwɛɦ n myen
12	kwiɦr n mreɦ	32	kwɛɛtaɦ n mreɦ	52	kwɛɦnu n mreɦ	72	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mreɦ	92	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mreɦ
13	kwiɦr n mtaɦ	33	kwɛɛtaɦ n mtaɦ	53	kwɛɦnu n mtaɦ	73	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mtaɦ	93	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mtaɦ
14	kwiɦr n mnaa	34	kwɛɛtaɦ n mnaa	54	kwɛɦnu n mnaa	74	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnaa	94	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnaa
15	kwiɦr n mnuu	35	kwɛɛtaɦ n mnu	55	kwɛɦnu n mnu	75	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnu	95	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnu
16	kwiɦr n mroond	36	kwɛɛtaɦ n mroond	56	kwɛɦnu n mroond	76	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mroond	96	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mroond
17	kwiɦr n mlbleɦ	37	kwɛɛtaɦ n mlbleɦ	57	kwɛɦnu n mlbleɦ	77	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mlbleɦ	97	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mlbleɦ’
18	kwiɦr n mniind	38	kwɛɛtaɦ n mniind	58	kwɛɦnu n mniind	78	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mniind	98	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mniind
19	kwiɦr n mwɛɦ	39	kwɛɛtaɦ n mwεɦ	59	kwɛɦnu n mwεɦ	79	kwɛɛlbleɦ n mwεɦ	99	kwɛɛwɛɦ n mwεɦ
20	kwɛɛrɛɦ	40	kwɛɦnaa	60	kwɛɦroond	80	kwɛɦniind	100	lɛmu

Time

Today

jana

Tomorrow

Su

After tomorrow

subɛtr, suvɛtr

Yesterday

dindiin

Before yesterday

Togdaa

Clock time

Waasu gama

Game

Gbuut, saɦla

Football

Bool gbuut

I play football

Mà gbul yarmga.

He plays guitar.

Ĥa gbul janjalu

Days

Day	Nawdm
Monday	Dabyaku, baraaku, kakaaku
Tuesday	Dlaaku, tɛɛnab
Wednesday	Tantaab, baragŋa(siou), tɛgnab
Thursday	Tiyaku, Koka yaku(BG), kpalbayaku (Siou)
Friday	Booku, nyamtyaku
Saturday	Laarbuga, gwedkpaaku
Sunday	Laad, sooku, kudyaku(BG), binaka (Siou, Bana)

Months

There are 12 months by Nawdm people

Month	Nawdm
1)   January	Kwɛɛr kidga
2)   February	Suunb kidga
3)   March	Kidg targa
4)   April	Toŋubuub, toŋbiilgu kidga
5)   May	Kpaab kidga,  nadkpasaaga
6)   June	Figmoog̈b kidga
7)   July	Talb kidga
8)   August	Yobgwɛdgu kidga
9)   September	Duhool kidga
10)           October	Didimr kidga
11)           November	Kwɛnooga kidga
12)           December	Josɔɦb kidga

Colours

white	Feelgu, feelm
Blue	Feerb
yellow	Moont
Brown	Butant gbanu, jii gbanu
Grey	Jankpalaɦm
Bronze	Niini gbanu
Black	Hoolgu
Red	Molgu
Green	Gwɛɦɛɛgu
Orange	Leemɦu gbanu
Pink	Sɔklb  fiigu
Violet	Bool fiigu

Transportation

Transport	toɦdm
Aéroport	ɦam n lͻͻr baŋu
Air	ɦam
Ambulance,	ɦambilansŋu
Ascenseur	faaga kotgu
Autocar	yaglɔɔr
Automobile	kaaŋa
Aviation,	saŋgbanlɔɔr baŋu
Avion	saŋgbanlɔɔr
Barque	kpiirgu
Bateau	baatooŋu
Bicyclette	bibirga
Brouette,	burwɛtŋu
Bus	lɔɔgu
Calèche	deer lɔɔr
Camion	lɔɔr
Camionnette	lɔɔga
Carburant	kpaam
Chauffeur	◦ lɔɔr jowda
Chemin de fer	gaku huru
Chemin,	huru
Circulation,	Huru kewm
Électricité	boglam
Embouteillage	kewm
Entreprise	Ŋmɛɛg̈b
Garage	daar
Hélicoptère	saŋgbanlɔɔrŋa
Pétrole	Karasiim
Poste,	wadii toollaŋa
Route	fɛɛhuru
Station de voiture	lɔɔra baŋu
Taxi	taksiiŋa
Taxi – moto	jɛɛd
Train	Girgu
Vélo	kekeŋa, kekɛnga,
Voyage	saama hurbermu
Voyageur	hurtia

Directions

English	Nawdm
A direction	kpaɦaab
A way	ɦuuru
A street	fɛɛhuru
A road	saama huru
A boulevard	saama hurmɔmu
An avenue	gilmb ɦuuru
A main road	saama hurbermu
A place	kaalaŋa, tagr
A crossroad	hurragr, hursansara
A railway	gaku ɦuuru
A subway	Tant kwɛɛn ɦuuru
The underground	kwɛɛn ɦuuru
Tout droit	biraa
Demi-tour	ɦooru kɔkɔgu
traffic circle	bogmͻlm
Church	soosi
Train station	gaku baŋu
A map	kɔrgu kartŋu
Where?	tee?
On	Jugun
In	nin
Near	L’ man
Far	vɔkun, bɔkun, bɔkon
Here	nnaɦ
There	laɦaa
Anywhere	baatee
Nowhere	riikan
Towards	wee
Alongside	Jugun
In front of	nɔngan
Behind	kaa, kawa
Right	najuudu ɦɛn
Left	galu ɦɛn

Lodging

How to name up some places where you would like pass the night even your own house?

A bathrobe	huurb n hegkaɦgu
A bathroom	huurtgu
A bathtub	Huurb
Restaurant	delaŋa
A bed	ɦabatŋa
A bunk bed	ɦabatii tajun
A coat hanger	baɦga, baɦb
A cupboard / a closet	kadakŋu
A dresser	ɦadakŋu
A hairdryer	jiikparŋtgu
A key	Saabr, safid, saafi
Polish	nanawda kpaam
A kitchenette	Dugdgua
Pomade	jii kpaam
A lamp	kand
A mini-bar	dabaŋu
A pillow	judɛɦdgu, lafeer
A sheet	draaŋu
A towel	fafaagu
Conditioner	Nigiitgu
Comb	sagdrtga
Linen	haaga dimgu
Shampoo	Sampuŋu
Soap	fɔfɔɔ
Toilet	binbadgu

Money

lig̈biir

How much?

daɦt, alaaɦ?

Eating jub

Food diit

Cooking digm, diit digm

Breakfast

ɦateekwɛɛn diit, ɦateekwaan diit

Lunch

muunun diit, muungbowr diit

 Dinner

jabr diit, jabhoolm diit

 Water

Nyaalm

  Milk

beɦeem

Tea

Tii

Plantain

ɦamadaaŋu

Banana ɦayabr

Bread

kpoonu

Pineapple

saama laŋkpadga

Mango

tamb

Coconut baŋkpurb

Papaya

ɦadibgu, ɦadimbgu

Tomato

jimadgu

Maize

jimadgu

Meat

Naanamgu

Rice miiri

Fish ɦɔlga

Chicken

kɔdahiir, kadahiir

Egg

kɔɔleer

Beans

Tiira

Stew

salambii Jit

Soup

Jit

Bread

kpoonu

Onion

gaabu, jaabu

Bars

baɦr

Shopping

Market yaaku

I want (a) _______

Mabagl ______

I have (a) _______

Ma ba n

Sell yaarm

Buy

daɦ

To buy

daɦb

To sell

gweedmb

BOOK

wadga

Driving

Road

saama hurbermu

Car loor

Authority

Government 

kɔrgu  

Gouverneur

kɔrgu huura

Animals and Insects

Bird

ŋmɛnga  

Lizard

baŋa

Mouse

ɦɔŋr

Goat

burgu

Cow

naag̈b

Cat

muusŋa

Dog

gwԐԐgu

Monkey

waama

Elephant

ŋmɛŋmɛɛr

Crocodile

kaseegu

Bee

heb, hib

Mosquito

dumga

Housefly

joŋa

Butterfly

kpaŋkpaanga

Tse Tse

Fly

koljond, koljuŋu  

Ant

gwɛɛm

Termite

jamru, ligr

sheep

fɛɛgu

Learning more

To  phone

tangarfu

medicine

ragr

soap

fɔfɔɔ

Hospital

dɔgdŋu

Christmas

binkpeemr

Merry Christmas to you

B’ binkpeemrii, V’ binkpeemr

Happy new year to you

B’binkwɛɛlii