hwee
The English phrase 'nothing' is translated into Twi as hwee.
The word hwee is used to express the absence of anything and is frequently used within negative constructions to convey that there is nothing.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun hwee is invariant, meaning it does not change its form for plural or other grammatical cases.
Did you know?
- While 'hwee' means 'nothing', it can also be used idiomatically in certain contexts to describe someone who is 'useless' or 'unimportant'.
- Twi uses a double negative construction where hwee is paired with a negative verb, which is grammatically correct and does not cancel itself out as it does in standard English.
- The pronunciation of hwee can change its impact in a sentence depending on the tone, which can shift the feeling from a simple fact to an expression of frustration.
Examples in context
- Hwee biara nni hɔ.There is nothing there.
Example conversation
Kwame and Afia are talking about what is in a bag.
- KwameDidi, dɛn na ɛwɔ bag no mu?Afia, what is in the bag?
- AfiaHwee nni mu.There is nothing in it.
- KwameWo nni hwee a?Do you have nothing?
- AfiaAane, me nni hwee.Yes, I have nothing.
