hwɛ
The Twi verb for "look" is hwɛ.
The verb hwɛ is used broadly to mean "to look", "to watch" or "to observe".
Meaning: to try to see (verb)
Did you know?
- The phrase can be used idiomatically to mean 'to take care of' or 'to attend to' a task, moving far beyond the simple act of visual perception.
- In many Akan-based contexts, 'looking' is not just an action of the eyes but can be used to describe how one 'regards' or 'treats' a person in a social hierarchy.
- If you tell a Twi speaker hwɛ me, it can mean 'look at me', but in certain contexts, it is a way of asking for someone's attention or sympathy.
Examples in context
- Hwɛ me.Look at me.
- Hwɛ ɛno.Look at that one.
Example conversation
Kwame and Afia are searching for a lost key on the floor.
- KwameAfia, hwɛ yie wɔ hɔ.Afia, look carefully over there.
- AfiaMe nhwɛ, nanso me nni hwee.I am looking, but I see nothing.
- KwameHwɛ ase ne nkyɛn.Look under and beside it.
- AfiaAane, mehu bi!Yes, I see something!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hwɛ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
