nuabaa
The word for sister in Twi is nuabaa.
nuabaa refers to a woman or girl who shares the same parents as another person.
Meaning: woman or girl having the same parents (noun)
Did you know?
- In Twi, the concept of a sister is deeply linked to the Abusua, a matrilineal clan system where identity and social status are passed down through the mother's side.
- A Twi speaker might address a complete stranger in a crowded market as nuabaa to establish an immediate sense of communal trust and friendliness.
- The word nuabaa is a compound of nuaba, meaning sibling, and baa, meaning female. In Twi, gender is often specified by adding a word for 'woman' or 'man' to a general kinship term.
Examples in context
- Me nuabaa kɛse.My big sister.
- Ɔno ne me nuabaa.She is my sister.
- Me nuabaa nketewa bi.A little sister of mine.
Example conversation
Akua and Kwame are talking about their family.
- AkuaMe nuabaa kâ fâm.My sister went home.
- Kwameâ’n nuabaa bâ nâ?Which sister went?
- AkuaMe nuabaa ketwaa.My little sister.
- KwameOye kâkâ.That is fine.
