Small small- One of my favorite phrases here in ghana, used to describe anything small. Although really, I think it's one of my favorites because of the way they say it with their accent :)
You are welcome- To welcome someone into a home, a store, to Ghana, or simply a greeting in the Volta Region.
Sorry- Even if they didn't cause the problem, ghanaians still apologize. Examples: Another teacher throwing water at you and all the students go "Ohhhh, sorry Madam, sorry!" or tripping over your own feet while walking about in Takoradi and shopkeepers and passerby's comment "Oh, sorry" in sympathy.
Obibini- Translates as "black person" or "Ghanaian". I say it back to all the little nursery kids at my school when they yell Obruni (white person), and now whenever I enter their classroom they yell Obibini. Either I've done a fantastic job of confusing their 3 year-old minds, or they think if me as a local ;)
Lights Out- The expression for when the power goes out. Our neighboors always exclaim Lights Out loudly whenever the power goes out and cheer even louder when it comes back on.
Here's 2 more from David:
ReplyDeleteSnap Me: Means "take my picture". Usually heard before you're mobbed by school kids.
GMT: Greenwich Mean Time? No, Ghana Maybe Time. Refers to the fact that things may not be on time. Although when I needed the bus to get me to my flight it was exactly on time. Possibly because the lady who sold me the ticket said she would pray for the bus!