sukyerɛma
Snow in Twi is sukyerɛma.
sukyerɛma refers to the crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation, the act of these flakes falling or the accumulation of these flakes as a white layer.
Meaning: partly frozen, crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation in flakes, falling of such flakes, accumulation of them as a white layer (noun)
Did you know?
- The word sukyerɛma is essentially a compound that characterizes snow as 'white rain', reflecting how the language categorizes new concepts using known natural elements.
- In many Twi-speaking communities, if you wanted to describe a white surface, you might use the word for 'chalk' instead of referring to 'snow'.
- In Twi, if you want to describe someone as being 'snow white', you would likely use the word for 'pure white' instead, as there is no cultural metaphor linking snow to purity.
Example conversation
Akua and Kwesi are looking at a photo of a cold country.
- AkuaKwesi, hwɛ sukyerɛma no!Kwesi, look at the snow!
- KwesiƐyɛ fɛ paa, Akua.It is very beautiful, Akua.
- AkuaƐyɛ nwunu paa.It is very cold.
- KwesiMe pɛ sɛ mekɔ hɔ.I want to go there.
