pii / kakra

Much and a Little: Pii and Kakra

Level 2

pii = a lot, kakra = a little, both at the end: nnipa pii (many people), Twɛn kakra (Wait a little).

How It Works

1. After a noun
Pii and kakra say how many or how much: nnipa pii (many people), sika pii (a lot of money), nsuo kakra (a little water). Count nouns use their plural form: nnipa pii, mmofra pii.

2. After the verb and its object
They also say how much something happens, and they come after the object: Mekasa Twi kakra (I speak a little Twi), Meda wo ase pii (Thank you very much). With no object, they follow the verb: Twɛn kakra (Wait a little).

3. At the market
Kakra is the bargaining word: Mepa wo kyɛw, te so kakra (Please lower the price a little).

4. Softer and stronger

  • kakraa bi means just a little: sika kakraa bi (a little money).
  • bebree also means many or a lot: nnipa bebree (many people).
  • Doubled, kakra kakra means little by little. See Doubled Words for Manner.
  • For too much, use dodo.

5. Pii or paa?
Pii measures an amount. Paa makes a quality stronger: Ɛyɛ dɛ paa (It is really nice). In thanks you hear both: Meda wo ase pii and Medaase paa.

Examples (6)

  1. Nnipa pii baeɛ.

    Many people came.

    Word by Word: people many came

    Pii follows the plural noun nnipa.

  2. Mewɔ ntoma pii.

    I have a lot of cloth.

  3. Meda wo ase pii.

    Thank you very much.

    Word by Word: I-lie you under much

    Pii follows the whole expression da ... ase.

  4. Mekasa Twi kakra.

    I speak a little Twi.

    Kakra comes after the object Twi.

  5. Twɛn kakra.

    Wait a little.

    With no object, kakra follows the verb.

  6. Mepa wo kyɛw, te so kakra.

    Please lower the price a little.

    A useful phrase for bargaining at the market.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting pii before the noun, as in English.

    Pii nnipa baeɛ.
    Nnipa pii baeɛ.

    Pii follows the noun it counts.

  • Putting kakra between the verb and its object.

    Mekasa kakra Twi.
    Mekasa Twi kakra.

    Kakra comes after the object, at the end of the verb phrase.

  • Using the singular noun with pii.

    Onipa pii baeɛ.
    Nnipa pii baeɛ.

    Many people are more than one, so use the plural noun nnipa.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

pii / kakraLevel 2Much and a Little: Pii and Kakra

Learn This First

Pii and kakra take the describing slot.

Words in This Pattern

piikakra