nua barima
The Twi word for brother is nua barima.
nua barima is used to refer to a male sibling.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of nua, meaning sibling and barima, meaning male.
Which one should you use?
While nua barima refers to a brother, the term nua baa is used to refer to a sister.
Did you know?
- Using nua barima can be a way to de-escalate a tense situation by treating an adversary as a kin member.
- The Akan people use a matrilineal system, meaning that while a nua barima is a brother, the most critical family ties and inheritances often pass through the mother's side.
- In the Akan kinship system, the word barima is not just a gender marker for 'male' but can also be used to describe a man who is brave or strong.
Examples in context
- Me nua barima bɛba.My brother will come.
- Wo nua barima bɛdi aduane.Your brother will eat food.
Example conversation
Yaw and Ama are talking about their families.
- YawAma, w’adi nua barima bi?Ama, do you have a brother?
- AmaAane, me wɔ nua barima baako.Yes, I have one brother.
- YawƆte he?Where does he live?
- AmaƆte Kumasi.He lives in Kumasi.
