ɛnneɛ (In That Case)
Then, In That Case: Ɛnneɛ
Ɛnneɛ, yɛnkɔ means Then let us go, in the sense of in that case.
How It Works
1. Replying to new information
- Wonni berɛ? Ɛnneɛ, ɔkyena. (You have no time? Then tomorrow.)
- O saa? Ɛnneɛ maaha. (Oh really? Then good afternoon.) Someone said good morning and learned that it is already noon.
2. Suggesting what to do
Ɛnneɛ often comes before the optative: Ɛnneɛ, yɛnkɔ (Then let us go), Ɛnneɛ, dɛn na yɛnyɛ? (Then what should we do?)
3. After a condition
Ɛnneɛ can open the result of a sɛ ... a condition and make the link stronger: Sɛ womma a, ɛnneɛ mɛkɔ me nko ara (If you are not coming, then I will go alone).
4. Saying goodbye
Ɛnneɛ akyire yi (Later, then) closes a conversation.
5. Ɛnneɛ, afei or enti?
Afei is then as the next step in time: Ɔdidiiɛ, afei ɔkɔɔ fie (He ate, then he went home). Enti gives a result the speaker states as fact: Ɔyare, enti ɔmmaeɛ (She is sick, so she has not come). Ɛnneɛ draws a conclusion or makes a choice from what was just said.
6. Spelling
You will also see ɛneɛ, and Akuapem uses ɛnde.
Examples (6)
- Ɛnneɛ, yɛnkɔ.
Then let us go.
Word by Word: in-that-case, let-us-go
- Wonni berɛ? Ɛnneɛ, ɔkyena.
You have no time? Then tomorrow.
Word by Word: you-not-have time? in-that-case, tomorrow
- O saa? Ɛnneɛ maaha.
Oh really? Then good afternoon.
Word by Word: oh so? in-that-case good-afternoon
A reply after learning that it is already noon.
- Ɛnneɛ, dɛn na yɛnyɛ?
Then what should we do?
Word by Word: in-that-case, what FOCUS we-should-do
- Sɛ womma a, ɛnneɛ mɛkɔ me nko ara.
If you are not coming, then I will go alone.
Word by Word: if you-not-come (if), in-that-case I-will-go me alone
- Ɛnneɛ akyire yi.
Later, then.
Word by Word: in-that-case later this
A friendly way to end a conversation.
Common Mistakes
Using ɛnneɛ for then as the next step.
Ɔdidiiɛ, ɛnneɛ ɔkɔɔ fie. (meaning he ate, then he went home)Ɔdidiiɛ, afei ɔkɔɔ fie.Ɛnneɛ means in that case, not next. For one event after another, use afei or na.
Related Patterns
- afeiNow, Next: Afei
Afei is then as the next step; ɛnneɛ is then as a conclusion.
Level 3 - enti (So)So, Therefore: Enti
Enti states a result as fact; ɛnneɛ draws one from what was just said.
Level 3 - sɛ ... a (If)If: Sɛ ... a
Ɛnneɛ can open the result of a sɛ ... a condition.
Level 3 - N- (Optative)Let and May: The Optative
Ɛnneɛ often leads into a suggestion: Ɛnneɛ, yɛnkɔ.
Level 2 - sɛ ɛnyɛ saa a (Otherwise)Otherwise: Sɛ Ɛnyɛ Saa a
Sɛ ɛnyɛ saa a gives the other outcome: otherwise.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice ɛnneɛ (In That Case) in Bubblegum
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