Language/Ewe/Vocabulary/Express-Surprise
Hi Ewe learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to express surprise in Ewe. Surprise is a feeling of astonishment, wonder, or amazement caused by something unexpected. It can either be a good or bad surprise. The Ewe language, like many other languages, has some interesting expressions and vocabulary to describe surprise. Let's dive in!
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Days of the Week & Animals.
Expressions[edit | edit source]
Surprise can be expressed in many ways in Ewe. Here are some common expressions used to express surprise:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Me nɔvi ooo | May noh-veeohoo | Oh my goodness! |
| Nɛ́ ayiyɔ́ gbɛ́nɔ̀ | Ney ah-yee-yohg-beh-noh | Wow! |
| Nyuewooo | Nyoo-eh-woh-oh | No way! |
| Míélɛ kpléónɔ́ | Mee-eh-leh kpleh-oh-noh | I am astonished! |
| Eé ndúɔ́náá | Eheh ndoo-ohnaah | Really? |
| Sí liáá meɖeɖeɖe | See lyah meh-deh-deh-deh | Are you serious? |
Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Here are some surprise-related vocabulary words that will help you express yourself better:
| Ewe | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| foɔ́ | foh | Unexpected |
| fiaṱɔ | fee-ah-toh | Astonished |
| wóglóɖí | woh-gloh-dyee | Unpredictable |
| gblɔjii | gbloh-jee | To be amazed |
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
To see these expressions and vocabulary words in context, here's a dialogue between two Ewe speakers:
- Person 1: Me nɔvi ooo! Sɛ wòde ké nu èwɔé ŋkudà me?
- (Oh my goodness! Did you just see that lightning?)
- Person 2: Eé, nyuewooo! Né kple bɔgú kpekpeɖí wò tàbán ɖòò me?
- (No way! Did you just catch that fish with your bare hands?)
- Person 1: Nɛ́ ayiyɔ́ gbɛ́nɔ̀! Mésíà táà ŋúŋlɔ wò dometokpɔ nu.
- (Wow! I can't believe you climbed that tall building without ropes.)
Cultural Notes[edit | edit source]
In Ewe culture, surprise is a common emotion expressed among family and friends. It is considered a sign of respect and appreciation, especially when someone does something unexpected or remarkable. Ewe people are also known for their love of storytelling and sharing anecdotes. In many cases, surprise is often used as a literary device to capture the interest of the listener or reader.
Practice[edit | edit source]
To improve your Ewe Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Now that you've learned some expressions and vocabulary for expressing surprise, try using them with your Ewe-speaking friends and family. Listen for them in conversations and watch for the reactions of the people around you. Who knows, you might even surprise them!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎