abofra
The Twi word for child is abofra.
The term abofra is used to refer to a child regardless of their gender, meaning it can be used for both a son and a daughter.
Meaning: son or daughter, someone's child (noun)
Which one should you use?
While abofra is the common word for a child, the word ba is often used in more formal, poetic or genealogical contexts to mean offspring or child.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun abofra is an invariant noun, which means it does not change form to indicate plurality. The word remains the same whether you are referring to one child or multiple children.
Did you know?
- In traditional Twi kinship systems, a child is not just the offspring of the parents but is seen as belonging to the entire maternal clan, or abusua.
- While 'child' is the literal translation, calling an adult an abofra in certain contexts is a common way to sarcastically call them immature or childish.
- The word ba can be used as a prefix or suffix in various Twi words related to growth and offspring, extending beyond the noun for 'child'.
Examples in context
- Abofra no yɛ den.The child is strong.
- Ɛyɛ abofra.It is a child.
- Abofra bi reba.A child is coming.
Example conversation
Kofi and Adwoa are talking about their families.
- KofiAdwoa, wo wɔ abofra?Adwoa, do you have a child?
- AdwoaAane, me wɔ abofra baako.Yes, I have one child.
- KofiObiara yɛ abofra no ne nuam.Everyone is the child's sibling.
- AdwoaƐyɛ nokware, Kofi.That is true, Kofi.
