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 (Ethnologue: ~2.7 million speakers), 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.

Explore our African language resources and our Temne language page to go deeper.

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"
Word Pronunciation Meaning
Aw yone aw yo-né Hello
Ɛntɛ rone ? en-té ro-né How are you?
Ane rone a-né ro-né I'm fine
Yεr yèr Thank you

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

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

See all African languages on Targumi

Sources and References

Further Reading