Order in the Noun Phrase

Level 2

Start with the noun, then add adjective → number → no: nwoma foforɔ mmienu no (the two new books), nkonnwa nketewa mmiɛnsa (three small chairs).

How It Works

1. The noun comes first
The words that describe a noun follow it, in this order:

  • the noun: nwoma (book, books)
  • an adjective: foforɔ (new)
  • a number: mmienu (two)
  • the article or demonstrative: no, yi or bi
  • nyinaa (all), when you need it

Build it up one slot at a time: nwoma → nwoma foforɔ → nwoma foforɔ mmienu → nwoma foforɔ mmienu no (the two new books).

2. A mirror of English
Read the Twi phrase from the end and you get the English order: no mmienu foforɔ nwoma, the two new books.

3. Words before the noun
A possessor comes first: Kofi nkokɔ akɛseɛ mmienu no (Kofi's two big chickens), me nwoma foforɔ no (my new book). See Possession by Placement. The pointing word saa also comes first, and no still closes the phrase: saa adan akɛseɛ mmienu no (those two big buildings).

4. Plural phrases
In a plural phrase, the noun and many adjectives change: nkonnwa nketewa mmiɛnsa (three small chairs). See Plural Adjectives. For people, the counting words baanu and baasa are common: mmofra nketewa baanu no (the two small children). You will also hear the ordinary numbers, such as mmienu, with people.

5. Two adjectives
When two adjectives describe one noun, both follow it, and speakers use either order: ataadeɛ tuntum ketewa no and ataadeɛ ketewa tuntum no both mean the small black shirt.

6. After no
Nyinaa (all) goes after no: nnua atenten no nyinaa (all the tall trees). A relative clause also follows the noun, and no then closes the whole phrase: nwoma a metɔeɛ no (the book that I bought). See Relative Clauses.

Examples (6)

  1. Mɛtɔ nkonnwa nketewa mmiɛnsa.

    I will buy three small chairs.

    Word by Word: I-will-buy chairs small three

    Noun, then adjective, then number.

  2. Nwoma foforɔ mmienu no wɔ pon no so.

    The two new books are on the table.

    Word by Word: book new two the are table the on

    No closes the phrase after the number.

  3. Mmofra nketewa baanu no reba.

    The two small children are coming.

    Baanu is the counting word for two people.

  4. Kofi nkokɔ akɛseɛ mmienu no ayera.

    Kofi's two big chickens are missing.

    Word by Word: Kofi chickens big two the have-got-lost

    The possessor Kofi comes before the noun; everything else follows it.

  5. Nnua atenten no nyinaa ahwe ase.

    All the tall trees have fallen down.

    Nyinaa comes last, after no.

  6. Saa ataadeɛ tuntum ketewa no yɛ me dea.

    That small black shirt is mine.

    Saa comes first, the two adjectives follow the noun, and no closes the phrase.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting the adjective before the noun, as in English.

    Mɛtɔ nketewa nkonnwa mmiɛnsa.
    Mɛtɔ nkonnwa nketewa mmiɛnsa.

    Adjectives follow the noun in Twi. Say the noun first, then how it looks, then how many.

  • Putting the number before the adjective.

    Nwoma mmienu foforɔ no wɔ pon no so.
    Nwoma foforɔ mmienu no wɔ pon no so.

    The adjective stays right next to the noun. The number comes after the adjective, and no comes last.

How It Connects

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

Order in the Noun PhraseLevel 2

Learn This First

The full order puts a possessor before the noun and adjectives, numbers and the article after it.