yi (This)

This: Yi

Level 1

Noun + yi = this or these: abofra yi (this child), mmofra yi (these children).

How It Works

Where yi goes
Yi comes at the end of the noun phrase, after any describing word or number:

  • fie yi (this house)
  • fie kɛseɛ yi (this big house)
  • nwoma mmienu yi (these two books)

It takes the place of no: abofra no is the child, abofra yi is this child. See noun phrase order. Only a word like nyinaa (all) can follow it: mmofra yi nyinaa (all these children).

This and these
Yi never changes. The noun shows whether there is one or more: abofra yi (this child), mmofra yi (these children).

Saa ... yi
You can also put saa before the noun and keep yi after it: saa abofra yi (this child). It means the same thing. With no at the end instead, saa ... no means that: see saa ... no.

Time phrases
Yi is very common with time words:

  • afe yi (this year)
  • nnawɔtwe yi (this week)
  • nnansa yi (recently, literally these few days)

Yi, eyi and wei
Yi always needs a noun in front of it. To say this one on its own, use eyi. In everyday Asante speech you will also hear wei after a noun, as in nnawɔtwe wei (this week). Written Twi uses yi.

Examples (6)

  1. Abofra yi yɛ me nua.

    This child is my sibling.

    Word by Word: child this is my sibling

  2. Ntoma yi yɛ fɛ.

    This cloth is pretty.

    Word by Word: cloth this is pretty

  3. Mɛtɔ nwoma yi.

    I will buy this book.

    Word by Word: I-will-buy book this

    Yi comes after the noun, even when the noun is the object.

  4. Mmofra yi kɔ sukuu.

    These children go to school.

    Word by Word: children this go school

    Yi stays the same. The plural shows on the noun: abofra becomes mmofra.

  5. Saa abofra yi nim Twi.

    This child knows Twi.

    Word by Word: so child this knows Twi

    Saa before the noun and yi after it. The meaning is the same as abofra yi.

  6. Afe yi mɛkɔ Kumase.

    This year I will go to Kumasi.

    Word by Word: year this I-will-go Kumasi

    A time phrase with yi often starts the sentence.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting yi before the noun, the way English puts this.

    Yi abofra yɛ me nua.
    Abofra yi yɛ me nua.

    Yi always follows the noun and ends the phrase: abofra yi, fie kɛseɛ yi.

  • Using yi on its own to mean this one.

    Yi yɛ fɛ.
    Eyi yɛ fɛ.

    Yi needs a noun in front of it. When there is no noun, this one is eyi.

How It Connects

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

yi (This)Level 1This: Yi

Learn This First

Yi contrasts with the article no.

Words in This Pattern