sɛn
The Twi phrase for "how much" is sɛn.
sɛn is used to ask for the cost or price of an item, particularly in a market setting.
Meaning: what is the cost/price? (det)
How does it change in a sentence?
When asking for a price, you can use sɛn as a standalone question or place it at the end of a sentence.
Did you know?
- The word sɛn is a versatile interrogative that can also be used in greetings, such as ɛte sɛn, which translates to 'how is it' or 'how are things'.
- When shopping in a Twi-speaking area, using sɛn instead of English 'how much' can often signal to a seller that you are a 'local' or at least trying to be, which may affect the price you are quoted.
- In Twi-speaking communities, the act of asking sɛn is often the start of a social ritual called bargaining, where the initial price given is rarely the final price you will actually pay.
Examples in context
- Adaka no sɛn?How much is the box?
- Sika sɛn na ɛhia me?How much money do I need?
Example conversation
Akua is buying a piece of fruit from Kwame.
- AkuaKwame, mango yi yɛ sɛn?Kwame, how much is this mango?
- KwameƐyɛ cedis dua.It is two cedis.
- AkuaMe bɛtɔ mmienu, ɛyɛ sɛn?I will buy two, how much is that?
- KwameƐyɛ cedis nan.It is four cedis.
