Although similar to English, the meaning of some words is fundamentally different in Sierra Leone Krio. It took me some time and quite many disappointments to accept that even though we use the same words, we are talking about different things. And still, I fall for it every now and then.

naw

/ˈnau̇/ adverb
Defintion: anytime between 30 minutes from now, until tomorrow, next month or even never.
Synonyms: Eventually, maybe, later
Antonyms: at this very moment, immediately, soon, currently
Example: A de come naw. (I am still at my house and I don't know yet when I will leave or if I will leave at all.)

naw naw

/ˈnau̇ ˈnau̇/ adverb
Defintion: near to this instant, but no action involved yet; certainly going to happen sometime in the near future
Synonyms: soon, shortly
Antonyms: at this very moment, immediately
Example: A de come naw naw. (I am still at my house, but I am almost ready to leave.)

rayt naw

/ˈrīt ˈnau̇/ adverb
Defintion: soon going to happen
Synonyms: just now, now, almost
Antonyms: later, sometime
Example: A de come rayt naw. (I am on my way and almost there.)

tumara

/tumaːɻaː/
1. Greeting
Defintion: to say goodbye to someone one is expecting to see soon again, but not necessarily tomorrow
Example: “Tumara!”
2. adverb
Defintion: any day after the present day or never
Synonyms: someday, eventually
Antonyms: today
Example: Wi go ebul du am tumara. (We can do it tomorrow. OR: We will be able to do it tomorrow.)

leyta

/leyta/
1. Greeting
Defintion: to say goodbye to someone one is expecting to see soon again, but not necessarily later on that same day
Example: “Leyta!”
2. adverb
Defintion: at some indefinite future date or never
Synonyms: sometime, after, maybe
Antonyms: before, earlier
Examples: A call you leyta. (I might call you again.)

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