Ewe Glossary

Eʋe or Ewe

(Pronounced “Eh-veh”)

Eʋe (pronounced /ɛʋɛ/) is a Niger–Congo language spoken by 4 to 5 million people across Togo, Ghana, and Benin. It uses the Latin alphabet with additional characters and is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the region.

 

Along the coast of Togo and Benin, many people speak Mina (Gen-Gbe); a closely related Gbe language that developed as a coastal lingua franca through centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

 

While Mina and Eʋe remain distinct languages, they share a common Gbe heritage and a similar cadence shaped by oral tradition and communal life. In writing, Eʋe’s standardized form, established in Ghana’s Volta Region, is often used as a linguistic reference point.

Together, Eʋe and Mina represent a shared coastal food culture, where language, cooking, and flavour develop side by side.

 

 

 

Atadi (pronounced Ah-tah-dí) — “Pepper”

A general word for chili or spice. Symbolizes flavor and heat in many Togolese dishes.

 

Ebesse (pronounced Eh-beh-sseh) — “Pepper”

More commonly used in southern Togo; often associated with chili-based sauces like Ebesse Fion-Fion. Represents both the spice and the fiery spirit of the cuisine.

 

Xɔ dzo (pronounced Ho-zó) — “Heat” or “fire”

Refers to warmth, energy, or literal heat—often used to describe spicy food or a lively atmosphere.

Dzodzoe (pronounced Zozo) — “Hot” or “Spicy”

The adjective form used to describe the taste of food with heat; also used metaphorically to mean “intense” or “exciting.”

 

Bɔlu (pronounced Bo-lu) — “Shrimp”

A key ingredient in coastal Togolese dishes and traditional chili oils for their deep umami flavor.

 

Akpa ví (pronounced Ah-pa-vi) — “Fish”

Symbolic of coastal life and central to many traditional stews, soups, and marinades.

 

Va mí du nú (pronounced Mee-du-nu) — “Let’s eat!”

A joyful phrase said before a meal, inviting others to come and share food together — echoing the community, generosity, and family spirit that defines Togo and much of West Africa.

 

Mi bɔ ezã (pronounced Mee-bo-za) — “Let’s feast!”

 

Ɛ vivi ŋtɔ (pronounced Mee-du-nu) — “Very Tasty!” 

 

Ewe is language, heritage, and togetherness.

Many of these words carry emotional weight, passed down through generations of cooks and traders who shaped Togo’s vibrant coastal cuisine.

 

 

 

These pronunciations are written as close as possible to how they’re spoken in southern Togo. Variations may exist in other Eʋe-speaking regions or online sources.