Swear words in Ghana

In Twi, calling someone “kwasia” (fool) is a serious insult.

The 10 most-used swear words in Ghana, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   etwe eh-TWEHVagina (very vulgar).
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   kote KO-tehDick (very vulgar).
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   wo maame wo MAH-mehYour mother! (fighting words)
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   ashawo a-SHA-woProstitute.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   kwasia KWA-see-aFool.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   aboa a-BWAAnimal. Beast.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   kwasiaba kwa-see-A-baTotal fool.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   bayie BAH-yee-ehWitch.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    gyimii JEE-meeStupid.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    mumu MOO-mooDummy.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it