If you are planning a trip to Sierra Leone or want to connect with the Temne community, knowing how to say hello in this language opens every door. Temne is spoken by approximately 35% of the Sierra Leonean population, mainly in the north and west of the country, including the capital Freetown.

A language belonging to the Niger-Congo family (Atlantic branch), Temne is one of the most vibrant languages in Sierra Leone, alongside Mende and Krio. Learning it will immerse you in a culture of hospitality and conviviality that runs deep.

Basic Greetings in Temne

Hello: Aw yone

The general greeting in Temne is Aw yone (pronounced aw yo-né). It is the all-purpose formula, usable at any time of day with anyone.

The typical response is Aw yone gbos (aw yo-né gboss), meaning "hello in return," or simply a repetition of Aw yone.

Greetings by Time of Day

  • Morning: Aw yone is used from waking up
  • Afternoon: You can add ka-kiri (afternoon) to specify the time
  • Evening: Aw bone (aw bo-né)

    • How Are You?

    After the hello, it is common to ask how someone is doing:

    Ɛntɛ rone ? (ente ro-né) , "How are you?"

    Positive response: Ane rone (a-né ro-né) , "I'm fine"

    Pronunciation Guide

  • Vowels are clear: a as in "father", e as in "they"
  • ɛ is pronounced like the open "e" in "bed"
  • gb is an implosive bilabio-velar consonant , pronounce "g" and "b" simultaneously as one sound
  • ŋ is pronounced "ng" as in "parking"
    • Pronunciation -------------- aw yo-né en-té ro-né a-né ro-né yèr

    Respect and Politeness

    Greeting Elders

    In Temne culture, respect for the elderly is fundamental. Titles used:

  • Pa before the first name for an older man (e.g., Pa Sorie)
  • Mama or Ma for an older woman (e.g., Mama Kadiatu)

    • Welcome: Aw pεrε ma

    To welcome someone to your home: Aw pεrε ma (aw pè-rè ma), meaning "you are welcome."

    Islamic Blessings

    Sierra Leone is majority Muslim. Religious expressions are common:

  • Allah ya gbos , "May God accompany you" (when leaving)
  • Allah ya ro , "May God bless you"

    • Temne Hospitality Culture

    The Temne have a social philosophy close to the ubuntu concept. In Temne culture, greetings are not a formality , they are a ritual that reaffirms social bonds. In villages, greetings can last several minutes, inquiring about health, family, and children.

    Freetown, the capital, mixes Temne with Krio , an English-based creole understood by most Sierra Leoneans:

  • "How de body?" (Krio) = "How are you?"
  • Response: "De body fine" = "I'm fine"

    • Quick Reference

    Pronunciation Context | -----------------------| aw yo-né Universal | aw bo-né Evening | en-té ro-né After greeting | a-né ro-né Response | aw pè-rè ma Receiving guests | yèr
    Word
    Meaning
    ------
    ---------
    Aw yone
    Hello
    Ɛntɛ rone ?
    How are you?
    Ane rone
    I'm fine
    Yεr
    Thank you
    Expression
    Translation
    -----------
    ------------
    Aw yone
    Hello
    Aw bone
    Good evening
    Ɛntɛ rone ?
    How are you?
    Ane rone
    I'm fine
    Aw pεrε ma
    Welcome
    Yεr
    Thank you
    Gratitude | See all African languages on Targumi