Ewe Dictionary (Nyagbalẽ)
Ewe is one of the major languages of West Africa, spoken by around five million people across southeastern Ghana, southern Togo, and parts of Benin. Search any word in Ewe, English, or French — free to use, no login required, works on any phone.
Open the Dictionary →About the Ewe language
Ewe, known to its speakers as Nyagbalẽ or Eʋegbe, belongs to the Gbe language cluster within the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family. Its closest relatives include Fon and other Gbe languages spoken across Benin and Togo. Ewe is tonal and uses a Latin-based alphabet that includes several special characters to represent sounds unique to the language.
The Ewe people live primarily in the Volta Region of Ghana and the southern half of Togo, with communities extending into Benin. Their culture is known for a rich oral tradition, including proverbs (called amegbetɔwo nu) and a distinctive musical heritage. Traditional festivals like Hogbetsotso commemorate migration history and community identity.
The Ewe dictionary on Language Roots Hub covers everyday vocabulary, cultural terms, and common phrases searchable in Ewe, English, and French. It is particularly useful for diaspora communities, language learners, researchers, and anyone wanting to connect with Ewe culture through its words.
Articles about Ewe language and culture
The people and the language
- Who Are the Ewe People? The Story Behind the Language of the Volta Coast
- The Ewe People: Origins, Migration, and Culture
- Building a Digital Dictionary for Ewe
Proverbs, names and the calendar
- Ewe Proverbs and Their Deep Meanings in English
- Ewe Proverbs and the Oral Wisdom Tradition of the Volta Basin
- Ewe Names and Their Meanings: A Complete A to Z Reference
- The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Ewe Personal Names
- Ewe Months of the Year: A Complete Guide to the 13 Lunar Months and 3 Seasons
- The Traditional Ewe Months: What Each Name Really Means
Learning Ewe
Ewe books and calendars
- Learn Ewe From Scratch: What Is Inside the Ewe Phrase Book
- The Ewe Wall Calendar 2027: Twelve Months in the Ewe Language
- Visit the Language Roots Hub Store