Numbers One to Ten

Level 1

1 baako, 2 mmienu, 3 mmiɛnsa, 4 nnan, 5 nnum, 6 nsia, 7 nson, 8 nwɔtwe, 9 nkron, 10 du.

How It Works

The numbers

  • 1 baako
  • 2 mmienu
  • 3 mmiɛnsa
  • 4 nnan, also ɛnan
  • 5 nnum, also enum
  • 6 nsia
  • 7 nson
  • 8 nwɔtwe
  • 9 nkron
  • 10 du, also edu

Two forms for four, five and ten
When people count out loud, four, five and ten often start with a vowel: ɛnan, enum, edu. After a noun you will meet both kinds: nnipa nnan (four people), mfe nnum (five years), sidi du (ten cedis). Both are correct.

Where the number goes
Noun, then any describing word, then the number, then no: mmofra nketewa mmienu no (the two small children). See noun phrase order.

Plural nouns
From two up, the noun is in its plural form: adan mmienu (two buildings), mmoa nnum (five animals). Baako goes with the singular: abofra baako (one child).

Counting people
For people, Twi also has special forms that start with baa-, such as nnipa baanu (two people). See counting people baa-.

Akuapem forms
Akuapem texts, including the Akuapem Bible, write abien for two and abiɛsa for three.

Going further
The teens build on du: dubaako (11). See numbers eleven and above. To ask how many, use ahe.

Examples (6)

  1. Mewɔ nkokɔ mmiɛnsa.

    I have three chickens.

    Word by Word: I-have chickens three

    The number follows the plural noun nkokɔ.

  2. Ma me paanoo baako.

    Give me one loaf of bread.

    Word by Word: give me bread one

  3. Ɛyɛ sidi du.

    It is ten cedis.

    Word by Word: it-is cedi ten

  4. Nwoma mmienu no wɔ pon no so.

    The two books are on the table.

    Word by Word: book two the are-at table the top

    No comes after the number.

  5. Yɛwɔ nnwan nnum.

    We have five sheep.

    Word by Word: we-have sheep five

  6. Nnipa nnan baeɛ.

    Four people came.

    Word by Word: people four came

    You will also hear nnipa baanan, with the special form for counting people.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting the number before the noun.

    Mewɔ mmiɛnsa nkokɔ.
    Mewɔ nkokɔ mmiɛnsa.

    Numbers follow the noun in Twi: nkokɔ mmiɛnsa.

  • Keeping the singular noun after a number above one.

    Mewɔ akokɔ mmiɛnsa.
    Mewɔ nkokɔ mmiɛnsa.

    From two up, the noun takes its plural form: akokɔ becomes nkokɔ.

How It Connects

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

Numbers One to TenLevel 1

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

baakommiɛnsaɛnanenumnsiansonnwɔtwenkrondueduɛnnanmmiensa