Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Familiarization Course
Nigeria
Niger
Table of Contents
Introduction
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Lesson 6
Lesson 7
Lesson 8
Lesson 9
Lesson 10
Lesson 11
Lesson 12
Lesson 13
Lesson 14
Lesson 15
Lesson 16
Lesson 17
Lesson 18
Lesson 19
Lesson 20
Introduction
People and Geography
Living and Working
Days of the Week, Numbers, and Ages
Daily Activities
Meeting the Family
Around Town
Shopping
Eating Out
Holidays Customs and Cultural Traditions
Around the House
Weather and Seasons
Personal Appearance and Clothing
Transportation
Travel
At School
Recreation and Leisure
Health and Human Body
Political and International Events
The Military
In the Hospital
1
15
34
48
58
80
94
107
126
137
155
167
182
197
211
230
245
261
276
293
307
Hausaland
Hausa is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. It stands on par with Swahili
in terms of the number of speakers and use as a trade language. Although it is not
generally very well known in the West, it is the most spoken African language in West
Africa. In addition to being the native language of a large number of people in West
Africa, it is also a trade language and a universal language of communication for West
African Muslims.
The Hausa speaking world is situated in West Africa in the climatic zone known as the
Sahel. The Sahel is a sub-desert region that lies between the Sahara Desert and the
forested regions that lie further south in West Africa. The majority of Hausa speakers live
in Northern Nigeria, but it is also the native language of over half of the population of
Niger. There are also smaller Hausa communities in Cameroon, Ghana, Togo, Benin,
Burkina, Chad, and Sudan. In this book we focus on the core area that is the traditional
home of Hausa. This area, where the Hausa language is the native language of most of
the population, lies in present day Northern Nigeria and Southern Niger. It is sometimes
referred to as Hausaland.
It is estimated that the total number of native Hausa speakers ranges from 25 million to
over 40 million. And there are at least an additional 15 to 20 million people who speak
1
Hausa as a second language. These second language speakers of Hausa are generally nonHausas living in a Hausa area, people who use Hausa as a trade language, or Muslims
who use Hausa as a language of Islam. In Northern Nigeria, where the vast majority of
Hausa speaker reside, Hausa is the main language used on a day to day basis. English is
the administrative language of Nigeria, and there are other smaller language groups that
exist there, but Hausa is the main language of communication in the entire northern part
of Nigeria. In South Central Niger, where the northern part of Hausaland lies, Hausa
holds a similar status. Here French is the administrative language, and other language
groups exist as well, but Hausa is the main language used. Although the Hausa
population in Niger is perhaps as little as a quarter of that in Nigeria, it represents over
half of the total population of this much less populace country. Hausa is also the largest
trade language in Niger, even in non-Hausa areas, and it is estimated that in total about
eighty percent of the population of Niger speaks Hausa as either a native or foreign
language.
The Sahelian geography is flat, dry, and hot. The sandy soil of this semi-arid grassland
and savanna manages to support some trees such as the Gao and the Baobab, but the trees
are few and far between, with sandy soil and shrubs filling the space between them. The
Hausas are historically farmers, and they still manage to coax some crops to grow in the
bleached soil, even as the Sahara encroaches from one year to the next.
Climate
The climate in the Hausa speaking world is hot. During the hot season, Niger registers
some of the hottest temperatures in the world, and Nigeria is not far behind. There are
seasons in the Sahel, but they are less differentiated than temperate seasons.
The main seasons are: the rainy season, from May through September, the cold season
from October through February, and the hot season, from late February through May. The
seasons are not always clearly defined, and there are periods within the seasons that are
recognized and named by the locals, but these three periods give a broad picture of the
seasons.
Annual rainfall in the Sahel ranges from 20 to 60 cm, and most of that comes in bursts
during the dramatic thunderstorms of the rainy season. The usual scarcity of rainfall is
punctuated by drought years which can have catastrophic results for a population already
on the brink of starvation.
There is some variation in the climate of Hausaland according to latitude. In the southern
part of Hausaland, in Northern Nigeria, there is much more annual rainfall and vegetation
than at the northern edge of Hausaland. The far north of Hausaland lies in the region
where the Sahel borders the Sahara.
History
It is believed that the original Hausa people were located in Nubia (in present day Sudan).
They began moving westward over 1,500 years ago in a migration that would eventually
lead them to the area that is now divided between Nigeria and Niger: Hausaland. By 500
CE to 700CE they had thoroughly mixed with the other races of the region, with many
other people adopting the Hausa language as a lingua franca. It was during this time that
the Hausa states were born.
Religion
For most Hausas, to be Hausa is to be a Muslim. Hausa culture and language is so
intertwined with Islam that it is difficult to imagine a non-Muslim Hausa. There are, of
course some Hausas who are Christian, or Bahai, or members of another foreign
religion, but these people represent a miniscule percentage of the population. There are
also some people who continue to practice pre-Islamic animistic religions in the area. A
small number of these people do so overtly, and many more do so while publicly
assenting to Islam.
Evidence shows that Islam was present in Hausa culture as early as the 11th century, but it
was not until the 14th century that it became a dominant force. It was the conquest of the
Hausa by the forces of the Fulani leader Usman Dan Fodio in the early 1800s that
brought a massive islamification among the Hausa. Under the rule of the Fulani, Islam
became essentially the state religion in Hausaland. Even so, however, the process of
islamification was an ongoing one even into the last century. There are villages in
Hausaland that date their conversion to Islam at a mere 40 or 50 years ago, or even less.
There even remain a few Hausa villages that have yet to convert to Islam.
It is interesting to note that in Hausa culture religion is not really a personal decision.
When villagers talk about their conversion to Islam they are referring to the date when
the village as a whole converted to Islam. The village leaders made the decision to
convert to Islam and as in all other areas of life, the village must act in unison.
4
Today, Islam is the heart of Hausa culture. The version of Islam practiced in Hausaland
has a distinct African flavor to it, but it is unmistakably Islam. All of the major events
birth, naming, marriage, deathare observed with Islamic prayers and according to
Islamic rules. Some of the celebrations, however, still contain visible pre-Islamic
remnants.
There is some conflict between the extreme traditional Islam that has been gaining
ground especially in Northern Nigeria and the more moderate traditionalism practiced by
another segment of the population. Issues such as the cloistering of wives and the full
covering of women are emblematic of this division. While many religious leaders in the
area are promoting this Saudi style approach to the behavior of women, the majority of
villagers still have a much more relaxed take on the rules. It is, however, generally seen
as an acceptable practice to cloister wives, require women to cover themselves in public,
or follow many of the other more extremist practices of traditional Islam. Even if the
majority of the population does not practice this sort of Islam, they consider it acceptable
in Islam. The truly modernist urban fringe of society is a distinct minority, albeit an
increasingly vocal one.
Scarification
Like many African peoples, the Hausas practice facial scarification. For some, especially
in urban areas, this tradition is now being abandoned, but for many it remains a tradition
that is very much alive and well. Infants are given a pattern of cuts on the face soon after
birth to form the scars that will mark them for life. There are many different patterns that
are considered Hausa. Different groups and regions within the Hausa have their own
distinctive marks, and which are recognizable to others as belonging to the Hausa family.
The other neighboring peoples such as the Fulani and Kanuri people each have their own
set of distinguishing scar patterns as well.
5
Work
Hausas are farmers and traders. Of course there are exceptions to this statement, but it is
how they generally identify their place in society. Historically there were many Hausa
hunters as well, but today farming is the main occupation of Hausas. Hausas also have a
long history of being merchants. It was through trading, in fact, that Hausa first became
such a widely spoken language. Hausa merchants were constantly traveling, and
eventually Hausa became something of a trade language for the region. Almost every
major West African city still has a Hausa sector, and a section of the market where Hausa
merchants will be plying their wares.
The work of farmers involves clearing, planting, tilling, and harvesting, as well as
building granaries for food storage. In the off seasons they care for animals, build or
mend houses, fix fences, garden, or get involved in some other small income producing
job such as making ropes. Also, many will travel to the cities during the off season to
seek work until the next farming season.
The women spend most of their days pounding grain with a mortar and pestle and
carrying water from the well one bucket at a time. They cook the meals, take care of the
household and the children, and sometimes care for their own livestock. During the
farming season they help with the planting and bring food and water to the men.
Home Life
Hausa households usually have several generations living together. There is a strong
sense of social hierarchy and family obligation, and the grandfather remains the patriarch
even after his sons are grown and have families of their own. Grown men will often live
in the family home long after marriage, or even for life, and the bride will move into the
family household of the husband. Gender roles remain very firm, and women and men
generally socialize with their own gender. Women and men have very distinct functions,
and rarely would one do the work of another.
Music
Drumming is a central part of Hausa culture. Almost every event is accompanied by a
group of drummers, and sometimes a stringed instrument called a garaya or a wind
instrument called an algaita. Although there are some radicalized Hausa Muslims who
see music as something to be avoided, for the most part it is embraced by Hausas. The
role of musician is often passed down through generations as a family occupation, and
villagers generally have a good idea of who are the designated drummers in the village.
Education
Hausas consider Quranic education to be traditional Hausa education. A large percentage
of boys, and some girls, are given instruction in Quranic recitation and religious practice.
Few actually go on to learn to read Arabic, however, and thus remain functionally
illiterate. Hausas continue to place a high value on religious education, and some efforts
are being made to integrate Quranic education with literacy training and other secular
education. State schools are meanwhile working toward the goal of Universal Basic
Education, meaning that all children receive at least a grade school education in English
in Nigeria or French in Niger. While this goal is far from being reached at the moment,
there is significant progress, especially in Nigeria. Every year new schools are being
built. There is also a movement to expand the use of education in Hausa in the regions
where Hausa is the lingua franca, and as a result, there have been some experiments with
integrating Hausa into the curriculum, and there has been a large growth in the number of
rural adult education classes that focus on teaching adults to read and write in their native
language.
Naming Ceremonies
Six days after the birth of a child is the day of the naming ceremony. During these six
days the family is able to prepare for the ceremony. They acquire the food stuffs needed
to have food for the guests, and arrange with the religious leader to lead the prayer and
assign the name. With the crowd gathered, the prayer is said. At the end of the prayer the
religious leader pronounces the name. Usually the parents choose the name and then tell
it to the religious leader, but it is possible for the religious leader to declare a name of his
choosing, if the parents dont have any input. In any case, the name is only official once it
is declared in the prayer.
Marriage
Traditionally marriages are arranged through a negotiation between the fathers. This,
however, is not usually a blind arranged marriage as it often was in the past. These days it
is more commonly the case that the young man pursues a young woman who gives him
the signs of being agreeable to marriage, and it is only at this point that the parents get
involved. Although parents often play a part in the decision, truly forced marriage is now
rare. It is also becoming less common for extremely young girls to be married. In the past
it was not uncommon for a girl to be married before her tenth birthday. In the present day
there are some villages that see it as acceptable to marry off a six year old girl, but this is
an illegal and dying practice. Today it is more common that a girl will not be married
until she is at least 14 or 15 years old, and many stay unmarried until they are 17 or 18. In
the cities you will even find many young women who remain single into their 20s.
During the wedding the bride and groom are in different places. The bride is prepared at
her family house, and usually placed on a horse. After the prayer is said binding the man
and woman together, the woman is taken in a procession to the house of the grooms
family. This will become her new home. Polygamy is the norm in Hausaland, and a man
may have up to four wives.
Funerals
A funeral in a Hausa village is a public event. It is assumed that everyone knew the
deceased or his family, and so it is an act of simple propriety to make an appearance at
the funeral. After the body is prepared, the deceased is wrapped in a white cloth and
carried to a burial site outside of the village. All in attendance participate in a prayer, and
the body is buried. After returning to the village the immediate family of the deceased
will essentially hold court at their house while people come by to extend their
condolences. Many people will spend the day with the family. It is normal to give a small
amount of money to the family as a token of sympathy.
THE LANGUAGE
Hausa belongs to the Western subgroup of the Chadic language group. The Chadic group
is part of the Afro-Asiatic language family. It is thought to have originated in Nubia
(Sudan) before a migration carried the language to its present location. It is related to the
Semitic languages, such as Arabic. Hausa was first written, using Arabic script, around
1500 CE. This written language was used by religious leaders and political aristocracy,
and a few works have survived, the most well known being The Kano Chronicle.
As mentioned above, it is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. If we
exclude the use of colonial languages (such as English and French), Hausa and Swahili
are the two most spoken languages in Sub-Saharan Africa. And, of the hundreds of
languages spoken in West Africa, Hausa is the most spoken. Hausa also holds the status
of the language of Islam in West Africa. Across West Africa, Hausa is recognized as
being a language of Islam, and many Muslims in non-Hausa areas have some knowledge
of the language.
Writing Systems
Hausa is written using two distinct writing systems, one based on the Latin alphabet, and
the other based on the Arabic alphabet. The Latin based Boko systemthe one used in
this courseis the most commonly used by publishers and Hausa literacy classes. The
Arabic based version is used mainly for the publication of Islamic religious pamphlets by
small publishers in Northern Nigeria.
Modern written Hausa generally uses the boko Latin-based script, but this can come in
several forms. The form used in this book is the standard for most Hausa publications
today, and looks like this:
But perhaps the most important Hausa language media comes in the form of short-wave
radio broadcasts. The national radio stations of America, England, Germany, Iran, and
China all broadcast news in Hausa to West Africa via shortwave. Nearly all men, and a
large number of women, in Hausaland have access to a shortwave radio, and so this has
become a window to the outside world for Hausas in the villages as well as in the cities.
Meanwhile more and more Hausa books are available in the market as more people
become literate. Most of these are either simple love stories or religious instructions, but
other genres are making some inroads.
Tonality
Hausa is a tonal language, although not to the degree of some other African languages. In
this course we will not use the tone and vowel length markers that are found in some
dictionaries and language learning texts. The aspect of tonality is very important. It is
worthwhile to mimic the intonation and speech rhythm of the native speaker in order to
properly pronounce words and phrases.
10
Alphabet
The Latin-based Hausa alphabet is very similar to the one used in English, with just a
handful of exceptions and differences in pronunciation.
Consonants
Hausa Letter
Name of Letter in
Hausa
English Example
hamza
____
A/a
B/b
ba
long: father
short: cat
ball
____
C/c
ca
church
D/d
da
dad
____
E/e
F/f
fa
G/g
ga
long: stayed
short: set
fed (pronounced somewhat differently than
the English)
go
H/h
ha
head
I/i
J/ j
ja
long: see
short: sin
job
K/k
ka
kid
____
L/l
la
lag
M/m
ma
mother
N/n
na
nip
O/o
toe
R/r
ra
ring
S/s
sa
sing
Sh / sh
sha
shock
T/t
ta
timid
Ts / ts
tsa
hats
U/u
true
11
W/w
wa
want
Y/y
ya
year
____
Z/z
za
zit
Vowels
When the vowels are taught in Hausa, two diphthongs are included. The short i and the
short u are often interchangeable.
A/a
E/e
I/i
O/o
U/u
long: true
Ai / ai
ai
long: sky
Au / au
au
long: cow
long: father
short: cat
long: stay
short: set
long: see
short: sin
long: slow
Pronunciation
Pronunciation of written Hausa is actually fairly simple. The words generally follow the
rules in a fairly uniform manner. The vowel length and tonal pattern have to be
memorized since they are not normally written, but there are no confusing spelling rules
to deal with. Overall, it can be said that Hausa has a nasal and rhythmic sound.
Word Patterns
Although Hausa words are generally not written with the tone and vowel length
indicated, you will become increasingly able to guess the pronunciation even if the word
is not familiar. This is because there are tone and vowel length patterns that accompany
certain types of words in Hausa. From the prefix, suffix, root, or context of the word it is
often possible to make an educated guess as to the proper pronunciation.
12
Doubled Letters
There are some doubled letters, but this is done according to the sound of the word, not
just as a spelling convention. A doubled consonant is pronounced with emphasis. You
must almost stop on the consonant to give it its full emphasis. As in English it is
important to differentiate between words with doubled letters and words without double
letters. They will have different pronunciation and different meanings.
Doubling ts and sh
The consonants ts and sh are doubled by doubling the first letter. Thus, ts becomes tts
and sh becomes ssh.
The letter f
The letter f is pronounced somewhat differently in Hausa than in English. It is
pronounced by pronouncing the fa sound of English without placing your teeth on your
lip. It ends up sounding more like hwa. Sometimes it is even written as hw rather
than f. It is also common for the h to replace the f entirely in certain words. This is
often a dialectical difference. Also note that some Hausas will pronounce the f more
like a p. The letter p which does not exist in Hausa is usually pronounced as an f in
Hausa when a loanword with a p is used in Hausa. The letter p is, however
sometimes written when transcribing foreign words, and the majority of Hausa readers
will recognize the letter as an equivalent of f.
The letter r
The r in Hausa can be either rolled or flapped. The rolled r is pronounced in such a
way as to trill the tongue against the roof of the mouth. The flapped r is produced with
a quick flap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. A doubled r is pronounced as a
long rolled r. For those familiar with Spanish, these will all be recognizable.
The terminal n
An n at the end of a Hausa word is usually pronounced with the nasal ng sound much
like the sound created by the ing in English. Thus nan is pronounced nang.
The letters , , , and
These letters have no English equivalent. Linguistically speaking, they are glottalized
sounds pronounced implosively, or sometimes explosively. In more practical terms one
13
14
Lesson 1
People and Geography
Mutane da Wurare
1. Listen to these simple greetings and phrases in Hausa and repeat them after
the speaker
Hello. Hi.
Hi. (response to Sannu)
Sannu.
Good morning.
Barka da safe.
Good day.
Barka da rana.
Good evening.
Barka da yamma.
Muna lafiya?
Ina wuni?
Lafiya lau.
OK, goodnight.
Yawwa! Sannu.
Greetings are the essence of the Hausa language. Even with relative strangers, you will
find yourself in extensive exchanges asking about family members, destinations, and
other information in a way that would seem a bit intrusive in Western culture. We
introduce a few of the most essential questions in this chapter and will build upon these in
subsequent chapters.While sometimes seeming superficial or time consuming, it is this
ritual of greeting that establishes trust. Someone who consistently cuts short the greetings
will not encounter as warm of a welcome as they would hope. This is especially so in
rural areas.
15
2. Exchange greetings with your teacher and your partner. What would you say at 7 a.m.,
at 10 a.m., at 2 p.m., at 5 p.m., and at 10 p.m.?
3. Familiarize yourself with personal pronouns. Listen to the audio and repeat after
the speaker.
I
You
He
She
We
You
(plural)
They
Ni
Kai (masc.) Ke (fem.)
Shi
Ita
Mu
Ku
Su
The pronouns in Hausa play a very important role and require much attention. This is
because, in Hausa, it is the pronoun that is conjugated rather than the verb.You will have
to learn all of the conjugations of the pronouns in order to speak the language correctly.
On a positive side, Hausa is one of the rare languages where you will not have to
memorize extensive verb conjugation charts. Examine the chart of continuous (present
tense) pronouns below and the examples that follow.
I
You (masc.)
You (fem.)
He
She
We
You ( pl.)
They
One
Ina
Kana
Kina
Yana
Tana
Muna
Kuna
Suna
Ana
Examples:
Ina tafiya = I am going.
Muna tafiya = We are going.
Suna tafiya = They are going.
Note that the verb remains the same; only the pronoun changes. We will introduce other
pronoun forms as we progress.
16
4. Listen to the following dialogues and repeat after the speaker. Read the dialogues
in pairs.
In the morning
Umaru: Good morning!
Mariama: Good morning to you too.
During the midday (noon - 2 p.m.)
Umaru: Good day!
Mariama: Good day to you too. How are
you?
Umaru: Very well. How is the tiredness?
Mariama: There is no tiredness. And you,
how are you?
Umaru: Very well.
Mariama: Wonderful.
In the Evening
Umaru: Mariama! Good evening.
Mariama: Thanks! Same to you.
Umaru: How are you?
Mariama: Very well. How are you this
evening?
Umaru: Very well.
Mariama: Wonderful. OK, good night.
Informal
Umaru: Hi, Mariama.
Mariama: Hi!
Umaru: How are you?
Mariama: Good. And you?
Umaru: Excellent!
Mariama: All right, see you later.
Umaru: OK, see you later
Barka da safe!
Barkarka dai!
Barka da rana!
Yawwa! Barkarka dai. Muna lafiya?
Lafiya lau. Ina gajiya?
Babu gajiya. Kai fa, kana lahiya?
Lafiya lau.
To madalla.
Mariama! Barka da yamma.
Yawwa! Barkarka dai.
Ina wuni?
Lafiya lau. Kana wuni lafiya?
Lafiya lau.
To madalla! To, a kwana lafiya.
Sannu Mariama.
Yawwa! Sannu.
Kina lafiya?
Lafiya lau. Kai fa, kana lafiya?
Lafiya lau wallai!
To, sai an jima.
Mu jima da yawa!
A. Use the dialogues above as a model and compose your own similar dialogues. Work
in pairs or in small groups.
17
GEOGRAPHY
Gender:
As with many other languages, nouns in Hausa are either masculine or feminine. The
Hausa gender system is actually quite simple and can be summarized in the following
manner. Almost all nouns ending in a are feminine. Almost all nouns ending in any other
vowel are masculine. All plural nouns are treated as masculine. As we proceed, we will
take note of certain exceptions, including a few notable nouns and certain categories of
proper nouns. For the moment, however, the above explanation will suffice.
To Be:
Note that Hausa does not have a verb that correlates to the English to be. There are,
instead, ways of implying the idea without the use of a verb.
The ne/ce stabilizer is used to express to be in certain nominal sentences. See the
examples below:
It is a horse. = Doki ne.
It is a car. = Mota ce.
They are cars. = Motoci ne.
The ne in the first sentence is used to refer to the masculine noun doki (horse). The
ce in the second sentence is used to refer to the feminine noun mota car. The ne in
the third sentence is used to refer to the plural noun motoci (cars). All plurals are treated
as masculine.
18
Daga nike
Daga kake
Daga kike
1. I am Nigerien.
I am from Niger.
2. He is Nigerian.
He is from Nigeria.
3. She is Nigerien.
She is from Niamey.
4. We are Nigerian.
We are from Abuja.
5. You are Nigerien.
You are from Zinder.
6. They are Nigerian.
They are from Kano.
Note: In English, Nigerian is used to indicate a person from Nigeria while Nigerien is
used to indicate a person from Niger.
19
7. Pretend you and your classmates are from Nigeria or Niger. Introduce
yourself and your classmates to your friend in Hausa. Use the model below
and the map.
Model:
Ni mutumin Nijeriya ne. Daga Kano nike. Maazu mutumin Nijar ne. Daga
Marai yake.
Su Abdu and Mariama mutanen Nijeriya ne. Daga Abuja suke.
Where Questions:
Ina kake? = Where are you?
Daga ina kake? = Where are you from?
The words ina (where) and daga ina (from where) are used to introduce questions. These
words, as well as a number of other such question words must be used with the ke form
of the pronoun.
Where are you from?
Where is he (she/it) from?
Where are we (they) from?
Tonality:
You may have noticed that there are two very different uses of ina in Hausa. Actually,
they are two completely different words. This is because Hausa is a tonal language, and
thus what appears to be the two instances of the same word can in fact be two different
words that are differentiated by tonal pattern and/or vowel length. In order to fully use a
Hausa dictionary, it is necessary to learn to read the tone and vowel length markings. For
the moment, however, listen carefully to the sound recordings and/or your instructor in
order to hear how the words are differentiated.
8. Listen to the following dialogues in Hausa. Repeat after the speaker. Follow along
in your workbook.
1. A. I am from Kano.
Where are you from?
B. I am from Niamey.
2. A. Zara is from Maradi.
Where is Kabiru from?
B. He is from Zaria.
20
3. A. I am from Sokoto.
Where are you and Hadiza from?
B. We are from Maiduguri.
9. Role-play the dialogues above using the maps of Nigeria and Niger.
We have already introduced the ke form of the pronoun and the formula for introducing
the question from where (daga ina). In the following chart, take note of the way in
which the form ba ba is used to negate this type of sentence.
Am I from?
Yes, I am.
No, I am not.
Daga nike?
Are you from?
I, daga nike.
Yes, you are.
Daga kake/kike?
Is he from?
I, daga kake/kike.
Yes, he is.
Daga yake?
Is she from?
I, daga yake.
Yes, she is.
Daga take?
Is it from?
I, daga take.
Yes, it is.
Daga yake/take?
Are we from?
I, daga yake/take.
Yes, we are.
Daga muke?
Are they from?
I, daga muke.
Yes, they are.
Daga suke?
I, daga suke.
21
Introductions:
Greetings and introductions in Hausa are very important. The easiest way to offend a
Hausa person is to neglect to take the time to greet them properly.
I would like to introduce Audu = Ga Audu (literally: Here is Audu)
There is no phrase in Hausa that translates as pleased to meet you, but the word
madalla (Great! Wonderful!) is often used in that capacity.
First names are commonly used in conversations regardless of the status of the speaker,
but titles are often attached to names, especially when the speaker is speaking to someone
of a higher status than himself.
Those who have made the pilgrimage to Mecca are referred to as Alhajji (masc.) or
Hajjia (fem.). This title must be used regardless of your status. It is as if it becomes the
persons first name. For instance, Alhajji Ayuba could simply be called Alhajji, but he
COULD NOT simply be called Ayuba (except perhaps by a few old friends).
The title Malam (masc.) or Malama (fem.) can be translated as Mr. or Ms. in many
situations, but literally it refers to a learned person. A teacher of a Koranic school, or
someone who is known to be a scholar of the Koran, is referred to as a malam. Likewise,
the term can be applied to a school teacher or any other sort of educator. When
introduced to an older man, you can never go wrong by bowing and referring to him as
Malam. In this case, it is simply a mark of respect.
In addition, nicknames are very common; almost everyone has at least one. This is often
very useful since there are some very common names and people have large circles of
acquaintances. The pattern of first name followed by profession, race, or defining
characteristic is something that the Hausa learner will quickly become accustomed to
seeing.
Additionally, people are often commonly referred to as son of (an) or daughter of
(ar). A common male example is Dan Hajjia (son of the Hajjia). This sort of name is
especially common for young people, but very often the nickname sticks and is used all
the way into old age. For many people this is the only name that you will ever hear them
referred to by.
22
Mi sunanka
Sunana Amadu.
Possessive
Pronouns
(Suffixed)
My
Referring to masculine
noun
Referring to feminine
noun
-na
-ta
Ni
You (masc.)
Kai
Your (masc.)
-nka
-rka
You (fem.)
Ke
Your (fem.)
-nki
-rki
She
Ita
Her
-nta
-rta
He
Shi
His
-nsa (-nshi)
- rsa (-rshi)
It
Shi.
Its
-nsa (-nshi)
-rsa (-rshi)
Ita
You
They
-nta
-rta
Ku
Your
-nku
-rku
Su
Their
-nsu
-rsu
Possessive Pronouns
(Independent)
Mine
Yours (masculine)
Yours (feminine)
Hers
His
Its
Yours (plural)
Theirs
Referring to masculine
noun
Nawa
Tawa
Naka
Taka
Naki
Taki
Nata
Tata
Nasa (Nashi)
Tasa (Tashi)
Nasa (Nashi)
Tasa (Tashi)
Nata
Tata
Naku
Taku
Nasu
Tasu
23
Mi sunanta?
Mi sunansa?
Sunanta Zara
Sunansa an Ladi
11. Listen to the following dialogue and repeat after the speaker.
A. Good morning!
B. Thanks, same to you!
A. My name is Ayuba.
What is your name?
B. My name is Usman.
A. Wonderful.
Barka da safe!
Yawwa! Barka kadai.
Sunana Ayuba. Kai fa mi sunanka?
Sunana Usman.
To madala.
12. Work in pairs or in small groups. Look at the pictures and make up similar
dialogues.
24
13. Listen to the following statements and repeat after the speaker.
My name is Kabiru.
Sunana Kabiru.
I live in Bauci.
Sunansa Sani.
He lives in Kano.
Sunanta Awa.
She lives in Zaria.
We live in Niamey.
25
14. Read the following sentences. Translate them into English. Check your answers
with the Answer Key.
Audu, a Kaduna yake da zama.
A Kano kake da zama? I.
Aisha, ba ta zaune a Abuja.
Ina kake da zama? A Bauci nike da zama.
Lawali da Nura, ina suke da zama? A Zinder suke da zama.
15. Listen to the following dialogue and repeat after the speaker. Follow along
in your workbook. Make up a similar dialogue. Work in pairs or in small groups.
Saude: Barka da rana!
Audu: Yawwa! Barkarki dai.
Saude: Sunana Saude. Kai fa, mi sunanka?
Audu: Sunana Audu.
Saude: To madala. Daga ina kake Audu?
Audu: Daga Kano nike. Ke fa, daga ina kike?
Saude: Daga Zinder nike.
16. Imagine that you are new to the class. Ask your partner about the rest of the
students (their names and where they live). Use the model below. Work in
pairs or in small groups.
Model:
A. Mi sunansa?
B. Sunansa Audu.
A. Daga ina yake?
B. A Kano yake da zama.
17. What is the question? Read the answers below and reproduce the questions
in Hausa. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1. ____________________________?
Aa, daga Katsina nike.
2. ____________________________?
I, a Kano nike da zama.
26
3. ____________________________?
I daga Sakkwato yake.
4. ____________________________?
I, a Zinder take da zama.
5. ____________________________?
Aa, daga Bauci yake.
6. ____________________________?
I sunana Amadu.
7. ____________________________?
Aa, sunansa Usman.
8. ____________________________?
I, daga Marai nike.
27
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Read the following sentences and translate them from English into Hausa. Check your
translations with the Answer Key.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
2. Pretend that you are at a party. Introduce yourself to other people and ask them
their names, where they are from, and where they live. Work in pairs or in small
groups. Use the model below.
Model:
A. Gaisuwa, sunana Abdu. Mi sunanka?
B. Sunana Mue.
A. Daga Nijeriya nike. Kai fa, daga ina
kake?
B. Ni, daga Nijar nike.
A. Ina zaune a Kano. Ina kake da zama?
B. Ina zaune a Zinder.
28
29
Vocabulary List
Greetings
Hi
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good evening
Good night
Good-bye
To pass the day
Tiredness
Goodnight. Sleep well.
To sleep. To spend the night.
Where
How are you? (morning)
Well. Health.
Very well
Thank you
You are welcome
Excellent! Thanks!
Very much so. Really. I swear.
Ok. Well.
My name is
Son of
Daughter of
One who has been to Mecca
I
He
She
You
We
You (plural)
They
To live (in)
No
Yes
To be (+ noun)
From
Gaisuwa. Barka.
Sannu
Barka da safe
Barka da rana
Barka da yamma
A kwana lafiya
Sai an jima
Wuni
Gajiya
A kwana lafiya
Kwana
Ina
Ina kwana?
Lafiya
Lafiya lau
Na gode
Babu laifi
Madalla
Wallai. (Wallahi)
To
Sunana
an
ar
Alhajji (m.) Hajjia (f.)
Ni
Shi
Ita
Kai (masc.) Ke (fem.)
Mu
Ku
Su
Zama (a)
Aa
I (often pronounced E)
Ne/Ce
Daga
30
From where
Where are you from?
What is your name?
Where do you live?
I live in Zinder.
Mine
Yours
Yours (fem.)
His
Hers
Ours
Yours
Theirs
Daga ina
Daga ina kake/kike?
Mi sunanka/ki?
Ina kake da zama? or Ina kake zaune?
A Zinder nike da zama. or Ina zaune a Zinder.
Nawa/Tawa
Naka/Taka
Naki/Taki
Nasa (Nashi)/Tasa (Tashi)
Nata/Tata
Namu/Tamu
Naku/Taku
Nasu/Tasu
31
ANSWER KEY
Activity 14
1. Audu lives in Kaduna.
2. Do you live in Kano? Yes, I do.
3. Aisha does not live in Abuja.
4. Where do you live? I live in Bauci.
5. Where do Lawali and Nura live? They live in Zinder.
Audu, a Kaduna yake da zama.
A Kano kake da zama? I.
Aisha, ba ta zaune a Abuja.
Ina kake da zama? A Bauci nike da zama.
Lawali da Nura, ina suke da zama? A Zinder suke da zama.
Activity 17
Your questions should be similar in grammatical form to those below although some city
and people names may be different.
1. Daga Kano kake?
--
--
3. Daga Sakkwato?
--
--
6. Sunanka Amadu?
--
(I sunana Amadu.)
7. Sunansa Kabiru?
--
--
End of Lesson
Activity 1
A. Sunana Tanya. Daga Moscow nike.
B. Kana zaune a Seattle? I.
C. Sunansa Joe. A Berlin yake da zama.
D. Daga Vancouver muke.
E. Sunana Maurice. Daga Chicago nike.
F. Sunansa Bob. Yana zaune a Boston.
G. Sunanta Susan. A San Diego take da zama.
H. Mi sunanka? Sunana Tony.
32
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
33
Lesson 2
Living and Working
Harkoki da aiki
House/Home
Room (inside of a aki or inside of a shigifa)
Round grass hut
Gida
aki
aki
Bukka
Shigifa
Kago
Multistory house
Soro
Rental
Gidan haya
Upper story
34
1. Look at the pictures below and listen to the words. Repeat the words after the
speaker.
Apartment
aya daga gidajen
da ke cikin wani
babban soro.
Apartment building
Babban soro da ya
Room
House
aki
Gida
unshi gidaje
dayawa.
Military camp
Tent
Barracks
Hotel
Sansani
Tanti
Bariki
Masauka/Hotal
2. Match the Hausa words on the left with their English equivalents on the right. Replay
the audio from the previous section if necessary.
Tanti
aki
Gida
aya daga gidajen da ke cikin wani
Hotel
Tent
Barracks
Room
babban soro.
Masauka
Babban soro da ya unshi gidaje dayawa.
Bariki
Sansani
Military camp
House
Apartment
Apartment building
35
3. Read the following sentences and translate them into English. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
1. Lawali yana zaune cikin tanti a sansani.
2. Malama Hadiza tana zaune cikin wani aramin gida.
3. Mariama da Hadi suna zaune cikin wani babban gida a Kano.
4. Nura yana zaune a wata masauka.
5. Sale da Mamadu suna zaune a bariki.
6. Ni da Hajiya muna zaune a gidanmu.
4. Listen to the following dialogues and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in your
workbook. Then, make up similar dialogues. Work in pairs or in small groups.
1. A.
B.
da zama?
3. A. We live in the barracks. Where do Audu and Amina
live?
da zama.
Grammar Notes: The Hausa ko is used very much like its English counterpart or. In the
following examples, you will see how it is used in basic sentences.
Daga ina kake? Nijar ko Nijeriya? Where are you from, Niger or Nigeria?
Sunanta Amina ko Hadiza? Is her name Amina or Hadiza?
It is, however, worth noting that ko is also used in many idiomatic phrases and constructs in
addition. You will become accustomed to the many uses of this word.
36
5. Read the following dialogues and translate them into English. Check your translations
with the Answer Key. Make up similar dialogues using the words below. Work in pairs
or in small groups.
1. A. Kana zaune cikin kago ko soro?
B. Ina zaune a soro.
2. A. Suna zaune cikin masauka ko gidan haya?
B. Suna zaune cikin masauka.
6. Compose choice questions using the model and the words below. Check your work with
the Answer Key.
Model: Kana zaune cikin tanti ko bariki?
Kai
Tanti / Bariki
Su
Masauka / Gida
Shi
Bene / Sansani
Ita
aki/ Gida
Mu
7. Listen to the speaker and circle the words you hear. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
1. Bariki
Tanti
2. Gida
3. Sansani
aki
4. Apartment
Masauka
37
<<To Have>>
As with <<to be>> is no Hausa verb for <<to have>>. Rather, the following construct is used:
the pronoun plus the preposition DA (with). This non-verb construct takes some getting used to
for the English speaker, but it is actually quite simple once one gets accustomed to it.
I have
You have (masc.)
You have (fem.)
He has
She has
We have
You (plural) have
They have
One has
Ina
da
Kana da
Kina da
Yana da
Tana da
Muna da
Kuna da
Suna da
Ana
da
8. Listen to the following sentences and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in your
workbook.
Ina da gida a Kano.
yake.
Gida
Yana
Tana
da
Gidan haya
Yana/Tana
Muna
aki
Suna
38
Work: The vast majority of Hausas are subsistence farmers, growing millet, sorghum, rice,
cassava, beans, peanuts, and other field and garden crops for their family to eat. A large
percentage of people also raise animals, such as goats, sheep, cows, and chickens. In addition,
there are many other professions that people engage in to earn money. Common village
professions include tailoring, cooking food to sell in the village, running a small shop that sells
sugar, tea, batteries, and such., and of course the highly respected teachers of Koranic schools.
There are also butchers, carpenters, barbers, healers, and religious leaders in almost every
village. Most villages have market traders who import goods from large markets to sell at the
smaller local weekly markets. In the cities, you will find that in addition to these trades, there are
white collar professionals working for companies and non-governmental development
organizations. Nigeria and Niger also both have large public sectors that employ many people in
careers such as soldiers, police officers, agricultural agents, and school teachers. To work for the
government or an organization is a very different life from that of the average villager. A strict
schedule and an office environment are foreign imports to Hausa culture. It is important to
understand that the Hausa language developed in this traditional rural setting and has only very
recently begun to adapt to modern ways. Thus, as we speak of modern professions, it should be
understood that the Hausa language is still in the process of forming and adopting words to
describe these new concepts.
10. Listen to the new vocabulary related to professions and repeat after the speaker.
Profession
Doctor
Nurse
Laborer
Teacher
Student
Soldier
Mechanic
Farmer
Police Officer
Waitress
Interpreter
Sanaa
Likita (Dakta)
39
11. Circle the more likely profession of the two choices under the photo.
Nas ko malama?
an sanda ko manomi?
Sabis ko likita?
Soji ko tafinta?
12. Match the Hausa words on the right with their English equivalents on the left.
Check your work with the Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Profession
Doctor
Nurse
Laborer
Teacher
Student
Soldier
Mechanic
A. Sabis
B. Manomi
C. Tafinta
D. Sanaa
E. Nas
F. an Sanda
G. Likita
H. Lebura
40
9. Farmer
10. Police Officer
11. Waitress
12. Interpreter
I. alibi
J. Soji
K. Makanike
L. Malami
Plurals:
Below you will find your first introduction to Hausa plurals. You will quickly notice that there is
more than way to make a word plural in Hausa. For some words, it requires a change in the
internal structure of the word, while for others it may require a different ending or even repeating
the word. In fact, there are 15 patterns, or classes, of plurals in the Hausa language. Because of
this complex system of plural forms, the best way to learn Hausa plurals is to memorize them
when you learn the word. As time goes on, you will begin to notice patterns, and you will be able
to guess the plurals of some words. There is logic to the pluralizing patterns, even if they are
sometimes inscrutable, and eventually the patterns will start to seem natural. Remember that all
plurals, grammatically speaking, are treated as masculine. Malama is feminine, but its plural is
Malamai, the same as for the masculine plural.
Loanwords:
Hausa, like most languages, has not developed in a cultural vacuum. The language has adopted
many words from English, French, and Arabic, as well as from neighboring African languages
Fulani, Kanuri, and others. Of particular interest to us are the English and French borrowed
words. While most of the Arabic loanwords are now fully integrated into the language, some of
the English and French loanwords are more recent, and thus they are often not fully integrated in
parts of the Hausa language. These words will often have a very non-Hausa sound to them and
will often require the speaker to employ slightly different grammatical tools. They will
sometimes have an awkward plural or even no real plural. It is also the case that certain English
or French words that are used in urban Hausa may be absent from the more pure rural Hausa.
Sometimes words that would be universally comprehensible in the city may draw vacant stares in
the village. This fact can also have class implications as the Westernized urban Hausas will
sometimes employ these words to show that they are of a more refined and educated urban class.
There is no need to speak in depth on loanwords at this point, but the student, even at the
elementary level, should be aware of this feature of the language. One final important note is that
the border between Niger and Nigeria has a real and tangible effect on the language in terms of
loanwords. The English loanwords of Nigeria are very often replaced in Niger by French
loanwords. See for instance the word Tafinta, which is clearly the Hausa pronunciation of
interpreter; likewise, its Nigerien counterpart (antamfareti) is simply the Hausa pronunciation of
the French.
41
13. Listen to the plural form of nouns that are the names of professions, and repeat
after the speaker.
Profession
- Professions
Sanaa
Sanaoi
Doctor
- Doctors
Likita
Likitoci
Nurse
- Nurses
Nas
Nas-nas
Laborer
- Laborers
Lebura
Leburori
Teacher
- Teachers
Malami
Malamai
Student
- Students
alibi
alibai
Soldier
- Soldiers
Soji
Sojoji
Mechanic
- Mechanics
Makanike
Makanikai
Farmer
- Farmers
Manomi
Manoma
Police officer
- Police officers
an Sanda
an Sanda
Waitress
- Waitresses
[no normal plural]
Sabis
an Sabis, Masu
aikin sabis.
Interpreter
- Interpreters
Tafinta
Tafintoci
14. Listen to the speaker and put a circle around each word you hear. Replay the
audio as many times as you need. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
A. mechanic / farmer.
B. teachers / doctors.
C. interpreter / student.
D. officers / soldiers.
42
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Give a brief introduction of yourself, listing your name, where you are from, where you
live, and what your occupation is, in Hausa.
Model: Sunana Ali. Ni mutumin Nijeriya ne. Daga Nijeriya nike. A Kano nike da zama. Ni
malami ne. Ina zaune cikin
2. Circle the Hausa equivalents for the professions below. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
Interpreter, teacher, and student
A.
1. sabis
2. an sanda
3. tafinta
B.
1. nas
2. malami
3. manomi
C.
1. likita
2. nas
3. alibi
3. Reproduce the questions to the following answers. Compare your questions with those in
the Answer Key.
1. ____________________?
Sunana Ali.
2. ____________________?
Daga Nijar nike.
3. ____________________?
I, ina zaune a Seattle.
4. ____________________?
Aa, ba ni da gida. Ina da aki.
5. ____________________?
I, ni makaniki ne.
43
Vocabulary List
Apartment
Apartment building
Barracks
Military camp
House
Rental Home
Square mud hut
Round mud hut
Multistory house
Tent
Room
Big
Small
Profession
Farmer
Doctor
Nurse
Laborer
Teacher
Student
Soldier
Mechanic
Waitress
Interpreter
Police officer
With
To have
And you? (masc.)
44
ANSWER KEY
Activity 3
1. Lawali lives in a tent at the military camp. (Lawali yana zaune cikin tanti a sansani.)
2. Malama Hadiza lives in a small house. (Malama Hadiza tana zaune cikin wani aramin
gida.)
3. Mariama and Hadi live in a big house in Kano. (Mariama da Hadi suna zaune cikin wani
babban gida a Kano.)
Activity 6
Kana zama cikin tanti ko bariki?
Suna zama a masauki ko gida?
Yana zama cikin soro ko a sansani?
Tana zama cikin aki ko gida?
Muna zama a gidan haya ko masauka?
Activity 7
1. tent
2. house
3. military camp
4. hotel
45
Activity 12
D. Sanaa
1. Profession
2. Doctor
3. Nurse
4. Laborer
5. Teacher
6. Student
7. Soldier
8. Mechanic
9. Farmer
10. Police Officer
11. Waitress
12. Interpreter
G. Likita
E. Nas
H. Lebura
L. Malami
I. alibi
J. Soji
K. Makanike
B. Manomi
F. an Sanda
A. Sabis
C. Tafinta
Activity 14
A.
B.
C.
D.
Manomi
farmer
teachers
interpreter
soldiers
Malamai
Tafinta
Sojoji
interpreter
teacher
student
Activity 3
1. Mi sunanka?
2. Daga ina kake?
3. A Bauci kake da zama?
4. Kana da gida ko aki?
5. Kai makanike ne?
46
1. ____________________?
Sunana Ali.
2. ____________________?
Daga Nijar nike.
3. ____________________?
I, ina zaune a Seattle.
4. ____________________?
Aa, ba ni da gida. Ina da aki.
5. ____________________?
I, ni makaniki ne.
47
Lesson 3
Days of the Week, Numbers, Ages of People
Ranukan Sati, Lambobi, Shekaru da Haifuwa
1. Listen to the days of the week and repeat them after the speaker.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
ran Litinin
ran Talata
ran Laraba
ran Alhamis
ran Jummaa
ran Subdu (Niger)
ran Asabar
Sunday
ran Lahadi
Read the days of the week several times, practicing pronunciation. Replay the audio if
necessary.
2. Listen to the following dialogues and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in the
workbook. Role-play the dialogues using the names of the other days of the week. Work in
pairs or in small groups.
ran Ladi ran Talata
ran Laraba
48
ran Jumaa
10
Sifili
aya
Biyu
Ukku
Huu
Biyar
Shidda
Bakwai
Takwas
Tara
Goma
4. Practice using the numbers. Work with a partner and tell them in Hausa your home
telephone number, work number, address number, and so on.
5. Read the following dialogue. Pay attention to the numbers.
A.
B.
A.
B.
6. Role-play the dialogue with a partner using Exercise 5 as a model. Pretend one of you is
a receptionist who wants to know the name, telephone number, and house number of the
other person. Ask each other questions and use as many numbers in your answers as you
can.
7. Listen to the sentences and write down the missing numbers you hear. Check your
work with the Answer Key.
Model: My telephone number is 567_8__4.
1. Lambar wayata 67_____653 ce.
2. Lambar wayata 432_____01 ce.
3. Lambar wayata 89645_____ ce.
4. Lambar wayata 4____0692 ce.
5. Lambar wayata 978____645 ce.
is that in spoken Hausa, the goma is often left out. The result is that goma sha aya becomes
simply sha aya. This abbreviated form is very common in day to day spoken Hausa.
49
8. Listen as the speaker recites the numbers 11 to 19. Repeat after the speaker.
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
seventeen
eighteen
nineteen
twenty
twenty-one
twenty-two
twenty-three
twenty-four
twenty-five
twenty-six
twenty-seven
twenty-eight
twenty-nine
Ashirin
Ashirin da aya
Ashirin da biyu
Ashirin da ukku
Ashirin da huu
Ashirin da biyar
Ashirin da shidda
Ashirin da bakwai
Ashirin da takwas
Ashirin da tara
10. Read the texts and translate into English. Check your work with the Answer Key.
1. Sunana Hadiza. A Zaria nike da zama. Ni sabis ce. Ina da gida. Lambar gidana 21 ce.
2. Ali soji ne. Yana da aki cikin wani babban soro. Lambar akinshi 25 ce.
3. Sunanta Zara. Ita malama ce. Tana zaune a wani gida. Lambar gidanta 16 ce.
4. Amadu da Nuri suna da gida a Zinder. Lambar gidansu 14 ce.
50
thirty
forty
fifty
sixty
seventy
eighty
ninety
one hundred
Talatin
Arbain
Hamsin
Sittin
Sabain
Tamanin
Tisain, Gomiya tara (In Niger)
ari
51
More on Plurals
In Hausa, a singular will often be used where a plural would have been used in English.
Specifically, in sentences in which the noun is quantified by a number, or in questions
demanding a number (how many?), we find that the noun is more often than not left in the
singular form rather than pluralized. This is not a colloquial abbreviation of proper Hausa; rather,
it is a feature of proper Hausa. This is not an absolute rule, and thus there are many cases in
which the plural is accepted or even preferred. See for example the above phrases for asking
someones age.
The plural shekaru is an acceptable alternative to the more usual shekara. The one major
exception to remember is that with human nouns the plural is generally used.
Example:
Ina da gida. = I have a house
Ina da gida ukku. = I have three houses
NOT: Ina da gidaje ukku. (gidaje being the plural of gida)
13. Listen to several short exchanges asking about ages. Repeat after the speaker.
1. A. How old are you?
B. I am 32 years old.
Shekara 21 gareka?
Shekara 11 gareshi.
52
14. Tell your classmates in Hausa how old you are and ask about their ages.
15. Listen and match the age with the name. Check your work with the Answer Key.
Play Audio
Saude
Nura
Ali
Aisha
Mamadu
11
72
52
29
43
53
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Listen to the following statements in Hausa. Answer the questions for each
statement. Pause or replay the audio as necessary until you understand the relevant
information.
1. What is his or her name?
2. How old is he or she?
3. What is his or her profession?
54
Vocabulary List
Day
Today
Year
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Rana
Yau
Shekara
(ran) Litinin
(ran) Talata
(ran) Laraba
(ran) Alhamis
(ran) Jummaa
(ran) Asabar
(ran) Subdu (Niger)
Sunday
Telephone
What is
(ran) Lahadi
Talho (Niger: Tarho)
Mene ne (masc.)
Mece ce (fem.)
Wire (telephone)
Number
Age
How many
To, with
Birth
And, from, with
To reach / attain
How old are you?
What day is it today?
Today is Monday.
I am 25 years old.
0 zero
1 one
2 two
3 three
4 four
5 five
6 six
7 seven
8
eight
Waya
Lamba
Shekara
Nawa
Gare
Haihuwa
Da
Kai
Shekara nawa gareka?
Yau wace rana ce?
Yau litinin ce.
Shekara 25 gareni.
Sifili
aya
Biyu
Ukku
Huu
Biyar
Shidda
Bakwai
Takwas
55
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
nine
ten
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
seventeen
eighteen
nineteen
twenty
twenty-one
twenty-two
twenty-three
twenty-four
twenty-five
twenty-six
twenty-seven
twenty-eight
twenty-nine
thirty
forty
fifty
sixty
seventy
eighty
ninety
Tara
Goma
Goma sha aya
Goma sha biyu
Goma sha ukku
Goma sha huu
Goma sha biyar
Goma sha shidda
Goma sha bakwai
Goma sha takwas
Goma sha tara
Ashirin
Ashirin da aya
Ashirin da biyu
Ashirin da ukku
Ashirin da huu
Ashirin da biyar
Ashirin da shidda
Ashirin da bakwai
Ashirin da takwas
Ashirin da tara
Talatin
Arbain
Hamsin
Sattin
Sabain
Tamanin
Gomiya tara
Tisain
ari
56
ANSWER KEY
Activity 7
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
4
5
0
3
2
Activity 10
1. My name is Hadiza. I live in Zaria. I am a waitress. I have a house. My house number is 21.
2. Ali is a soldier. He has a room in a large building. His room number is 25.
3. Her name is Zara. She is a teacher. She lives in a house. Her house number is 16.
4. Amadu and Nuri have a house in Zinder. Their house number is 14.
1. Sunana Hadiza. A Zaria nike da zama. Ni sabis ce. Ina da gida. Lambar gidana 21 ce.
2. Ali soji ne. Yana da aki cikin wani babban soro. Lambar akinshi 25 ce.
3. Sunanta Zara. Ita malama ce. Tana zaune a wani gida. Lambar gidanta 16 ce.
4. Amadu da Nuri suna da gida a Zinder. Lambar gidansu 14 ce.
Activity 15
Saude is 52 years old.
Aisha is 11 on Friday.
Is Nura 30 years old?
No, he is 29.
Mariama is 72 years old.
How old is Ali?
He is 43.
57
Lesson 4
Daily Activities
Harkokin Yau da Kullum
As with English, there are words in Hausa for quarter till, half past, and so on.
Quarter to four = arfe huu saura kwata.
Quarter after four = arfe huu da kwata.
Half past three = arfe ukku da rabi.
Ten till five = Karfe biyar saura minti goma.
Is it three yet = Ukku ta yi?
58
You will also note that, rather than using a.m. or p.m., Hausa has several ways to break up the
day. Da safe is the best translation for a.m., and da yamma is perhaps the closest translation for
p.m., but there are a few other words that are used. Da safe is used in the morning, da rana is
often used from about noon until about 4 p.m., da marece is often used from about 4 p.m. until
dinnertime, and da dare is often used from after dinnertime until about 2:00 or 3:00 in the
morning. In all of these forms, you will sometimes hear na used instead of da.
The meaning is essentially the same. Note also that in the following examples there are longer
and shorter ways of saying the same thing, and that it is acceptable to leave off the word arfe
and/or the ne/ce stabilizer in many cases.
1. Listen as the speaker tells time in Hausa. Repeat after the speaker.
talatin ne.
ashirin.
59
2. What time is it? Fill in the clock faces with the correct times according to how they are
listed in Hausa below.
A. Ukku da rabi da rana.
safe.
C. Shidda da minti goma da safe.
or tsakar rana.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
3. Listen to the following exchanges and identify the clock time mentioned in each.
Check your work with the Answer Key.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
8:15
9:50
5:10
4:13
7: 50
9:00
9:15
8:50
4:30
7:10
60
4. Compose dialogues according to the model below. Work in pairs or in small groups. Use
the times listed below.
Model: A. - arfe nawa ne yanzu?
B. - arfe biyu da rana ne.
8:00 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2:10 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 12:00, 11:05
Verbs in Hausa:
There are not as many verbs in Hausa as there are in English, at least not in day to day Hausa. As
a result, the verb to do takes on a special importance in Hausa. For instance, rather than saying
I work, in Hausa we say, I do work. This use of nouns to express verbal concepts is
widespread in Hausa and something that you will become very much accustomed to. In the
following set of explanations and examples we will explain the basic rules that govern the use of
present tense verbs in Hausa.
In the continuous tense, the verbal noun is used in place of the verb unless there is a
direct or indirect object after the verb. This is somewhat confusing on first glance, but it
is actually quite easy to get used to. In the following example, note that karatu (reading)
is the verbal noun of karanta (to read). (note that you will also see the verbal noun.
Ina karanta wa yaro litafi = I am reading the book to the boy. (indirect object)
As we progress, we will add information about this construct and the ways in which the
verbal noun is formed and manipulated, but the basic principle is encapsulated in the
above example. In a large number of cases, verbs will form their verbal noun by simply.
adding wa to the end of the verb. In other cases, there is no change in the letters. And in
some case, as with the above example, the verb is changed in some other way.
The verb yi (to do) is often used to express a verbal concept with a noun where Hausa
lacks an actual verb. For instance, yi aiki is used to express to work using the noun aiki
(work). The tricky part of this is that in normal Hausa, it is acceptable to leave out the
verb yi, leaving only the pronoun and the noun. For example:
Mi kake yi? = What are you doing?
Ina (yin) aiki. or Aiki nike (yi). = I am working. (Note that the parenthetical yi or yin is
61
As we see above with yi, certain verbs will take an n suffix in the continuous tense when
referring to a direct object. It is best just to memorize which verbs apply this rule. Verbs
that we have seen thus far that fit in this category include yi and ci.
Certain verbs will change their ending vowel depending on whether they refer to a direct
object, a direct object pronoun, or no direct object. Again, we will expound on this point
further as we progress. For the moment it will suffice to say that changing the ending
vowel is a feature of certain verbs (class 2). Verbs that we have seen thus far in this
category include kalla.
The continuous (ina, kana, etc) and the relative continuous (nike, kake, etc.) often
represent different ways of expressing the same sentence. For example:
Ina (yin) aiki. = Aiki nike (yi).
In the second sentence, we have moved work to the beginning of the sentence, putting
greater focus on it. In some cases you will find that one form is distinctly better than the
other. In other cases, however, it is a matter of shades of meaning and emphasis.
Remember, though, that when you are asking questions that start with words such as
what, how, when, and who, the relative pronoun will be used.
Finally, note that there is an almost endless list of exceptions and dialectical variations. It
is good to have the rules in the back of your mind, but you should always learn first and
foremost by listening to native speakers.
I go
You go (m)
You go (f)
He goes
We go
You go
They go
One goes
Ina tafiya
I work
You work (m)
You work (f)
He works
We work
You work
They work
One works
Kana tafiya
Kina tafiya
Yana tafiya
Muna tafiya
Kuna tafiya
Suna tafiya
Ana tafiya
I study
You study (m)
You study (f)
He studies
We study
You study
They study
One studies
I watch
You watch (m)
You watch (f)
He watches
We watch
You watch
They watch
One watches
Ina kallo
62
Kana kallo
Kina kallo
Yana kallo
Muna kallo
Kuna kallo
Suna kallo
Ana kallo
I eat
You eat (m)
You eat (f)
He eats
We eat
You eat
They eat
One eats
I play
You play (m)
You play (f)
He plays
You play
They play
We play
One plays
Ina tafiya
Ba ni tafiya
Kana tafiya
Ba ka tafiya
Kina tafiya
Ba ki tafiya
Yana tafiya
Ba ya tafiya
Tana tafiya
Ba ta tafiya
Suna tafiya
Ba su tafiya
Muna tafiya
Ba mu tafiya
Kuna tafiya
Ba ku tafiya
Ana tafiya
Ba a tafiya
I read
You read (m)
You read (f)
He reads
We read
You read
They read
One reads
I get up
You get up (m)
You get up (f)
He gets up
You get up
They get up
We get up
One gets up
Ina tashi
Kana tashi
Kina tashi
Yana tashi
Kuna tashi
Suna tashi
Muna tashi
Ana tashi
Negation of Verbs:
Before proceeding any further, we should take a little time to discuss negation of verbs
somewhat more in depth. We briefly touched upon the use of the particle ba for negation in an
earlier chapter, now we need to explain the rules that govern this construct. With the continuous
pronoun the negation is as follows:
In the first row, we see I am going on the left, and the negation I am not going on the right.
63
Nikan (nakan)
Kakan
Kikan
Yakan
Takan
Mukan
Kukan
Sukan
Akan
5. Listen to the short statements that describe each activity in the pictures below.
Repeat after the speaker. Pay attention to new verbs and other new vocabulary.
64
He is playing soccer.
65
Prepositions:
Prepositions in Hausa are often multi-purpose and do not always translate perfectly to English
equivalents. Below, we will introduce some common Hausa prepositions with their approximate
English translations. You will need to take careful note of how they are used in the texts and
sound files in order to fully understand how these prepositions are used.
To
Zuwa
(often implied)
At
In
Cikin
On
Bisa
A kan
Note that the prepositional meaning of to is different from the other meanings attached to the
word in English. The Hausa zuwa is a translation of only the prepositional meaning.
6. Listen to the following statements in Hausa and repeat after the speaker. Follow
along in the workbook. Replay the audio if necessary.
Take note of how the word kullum (always) or kowacce rana (every day) is used in certain
sentences rather than the habitual pronoun. This is very common in Hausa.
Kullum yaro yana tafiya makaranta a
7. I get up at 7:00.
66
7. Match the following sentences with the pictures below. Check your answers with the
Answer Key.
1. Kullum ina tafiya makaranta a arfe 9:30.
2. Kullum suna karya kumallo a arfe 7:00.
3. Muna yin karatu da safe.
4. Tana karanta wani littafi da marece.
A #______________
B #_______________
C #____________
D #_________________
8. Read the following text and answer the questions below in complete sentences in Hausa.
If you have any difficulty, you may go to the Answer Key to check the text or the questions
in English. Then, check your answers to the questions with the Answer Key.
Amadu alibi ne. Yana yin karatu a makaranta. Kullum da safe yana tashi a arfe 7:15.
Yana karya kumallo a arfe 7:30. Yana tafiya zuwa makaranta a arfe 8:00. Bayan ya
tashi daga makaranta yana yin wasan wallon kwando. Kullum yana karanta littattafai
da kallon talabijin da dare. Amadu, ba ya yin karatu Subdu ko Lahadi.
1. Amadu malamin makaranta ne?
2. Ina yake yin karatu?
3. Mi yakan yi a arfe 7:15?
4. Yaushe yake karya kumallo?
5. Mi yake yi a arfe 8:00?
6. Yaushe yake yi wasan wallon kwando?
67
7. Mi yake yi da dare?
8. Yana yin karatu Subdu ko Lahadi ?
9. Rearrange the following statements into a logical order for a daily schedule. Check your
work with the Answer Key.
1. Ina tafiya wurin abinci da rana tare da abokaina.
2. Ina kallon talabijin.
3. Ina tafiya makaranta.
4. Ina cin abincin dare tare da abokina.
5. Ina yin wasan wallon kwando.
6. Ina karya kumallo.
7. Ina yin karatu a gida.
10. Tell your partner about your daily schedule. Use the words and word combinations
given below.
Kowace rana
Tashi
Karya kumallo
Yi wasan wallon
Tafiya kasuwa
Karanta wani
Da dare
kwando
littafi
11. Listen to the five short statements. Circle the English statement that is the
equivalent of each Hausa statement you hear. Replay the audio as many times as you need.
1. A. I play soccer after school.
B. I play soccer after dinner.
C. I play soccer after work.
2. A. She goes to the market in the evening.
B. She goes to the market in the afternoon.
C. She goes to the market in the morning.
3. A. I go to work in the morning.
B. I go to school in the morning.
C. I go to the market in the morning.
4. A. I study at home on Saturday.
B. I play soccer at home on Saturday.
C. I eat breakfast at home on Saturday.
5. A. He watches television in the afternoon.
B. He watches television in the evening.
C. He watches television in the morning.
68
Na tafi
I studied
You studied
You studied
He studied
We studied
You studied
They studied
One went
Na yi karatu
I worked
You worked
You worked
He worked
We worked
You worked
They
worked
One worked
Na yi aiki
I watched
You watched
You watched
He watched
We watched
You watched
They watched
Na kalla
An yi aiki
One watched
An kalla
I ate
You ate
You ate
He ate
We ate
You ate
They ate
One ate
Na ci
I read
You read
You read
He read
We read
You read
They read
One read
Na karanta
I played
You played
You played
He played
Na yi wasa
I got up
You got up
You played
He got up
Na tashi
Ka tafi
Kin tafi
Ya tafi
Mun tafi
Kun tafi
Sun tafi
An tafi
Ka yi aiki
Kin yi aiki
Ya yi aiki
Mun yi aiki
Kun yi aiki
Sun yi aiki
Ka ci
Kin ci
Ya ci
Mun ci
Kun ci
Sun ci
An ci
Ka yi wasa
Kin yi wasa
Ya yi wasa
69
Ka yi karatu
Kin yi karatu
Ya yi karatu
Mun yi karatu
Kun yi karatu
Sun yi karatu
An yi karatu
Ka kalla
Kin kalla
Ya kalla
Mun kalla
Kun kalla
Sun kalla
Ka karanta
Kin karanta
Ya karanta
Mun karanta
Kun karanta
Sun karanta
An karanta
Ka tashi
Kin tashi
Ya tashi
We played
You played
They played
One played
Mun yi wasa
We got up
You got up
They got up
One got up
Kun yi wasa
Sun yi wasa
An yi wasa
Mun tashi
Kun tashi
Sun tashi
An tashi
Negation of Completive:
The completive pronoun is negated using the formula ba ba. Note that while the first half of
this construct is syntactically fixed, the second ba has some flexibility.
Positive
Negative
Na tafi
Ban tafi ba
Ka tafe
Ba ka tafi ba
Kin tafi
Ba ki tafi ba
Ya tafi
Ta tafi
Ba ta tafi ba.
Mun tafi.
Ba mu tafi ba.
Kun tafi.
Ba ku tafi ba.
Sun tafi.
Ba su tafi ba.
An tafi.
Ba a tafi ba.
Na
Ka
Kika
Ya
Ta
Muka
Kuka
Suka
Aka
70
Examples:
Mi kike yi? = What are you doing?
Mi kika yi? = What did you do?
Note that the negation of the relative completive is formed essentially like the regular
completive. Ba tahiya ba kika yi? Or Ba tahiya kika yi ba?
12. Read the following sentences and translate them into English. Check your work with
the Answer Key.
1. Jiya na tafi makaranta.
2. Bara ni da abokaina mun yi wasan wallon kwando.
3. Sun ci kasuwa sati da ya wuce.
4. Na tafi gida a arfe 9:00 jiya.
5. Jiya mun ci abincin dare a arfe 6 :00.
6. Yaro ya yi karatun kia da lissafi a makaranta bara.
7. Yarinya ta yi kallon telebijin jiya.
8. Ran Lahadin da ta wuce na karanta wani littafi.
9. Bara war haka na tafi Paris.
10. Ya yi shekara biyu muna da gida a amai.
Yesterday Jiya
Last year Bara
Last week- Sati da ya wuce / makon jiya
Last Sunday Rar Lahadi da ta wuce
A year ago ya yi shekara aya
13. Complete the following sentences using the verbs located in the box below. Check your
answers with the Answer Key.
Studied
played
watched
got up
went
worked
ate
Yi karatu
Yi wasa
Kalli
Tashi
Tafi
Yi aiki
Ci
71
14. Listen to the following dialogue and repeat after the speaker. Make up similar
dialogues using the words and word combinations given below. Work in pairs or in small
groups.
A. Mi kika yi jiya?
B. Jiya na kalli talabijin.
A. Awa nawa ka kalli talabijin jiya?
B. Awa aya.
15. Make up similar dialogues using the words and word combinations given below. Work
in pairs or in small groups.
1. Jiya kalli talabijin awa aya
2. Jiya yi sayayya awa biyu
3. Bara yi aiki a masauki sati huu
4. Bara yi karatu a makaranta sati takwas
5. Ran lahadi da ya wuce karanta wani littafi awa aya
6. Ya yi shekara aya yi wasan wallon kwando sati shidda
7. Ya yi shekara aya zama a Nijeriya sati biyu
72
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Listen to the following statements read in Hausa. Circle the times you hear.
1.
6:30
5:30
2.
6:00
7:00
3.
9:30
8:30
4.
5:30
5:45
5.
6.
6:00
8:00
2. Read the following text in Hausa. Put T (True) or F (False) next to the statements
that are written below the text. Check your work with the Answer Key.
Sannu. Sunana Nuri. A Katsina nike da zama. Ina da wani aramin gida. Ni malamin
makaranta ne. Ina koyan lissafi da kia. Kowacce rana ina tashi a arfe 6:00 da safe.
Bayan karin kumallo ina tafiya makaranta. A arfe 8:00 ina makaranta. Ran Talata da
ran Alhamis ina yin wasan wallon afa awa biyu. Bayan mun tashi daga makaranta ina
tafiya sayayya. Ina a gida a arfe 5:00. Da dare ina kallon telebijin awa aya kuma ina
karanta littittafai awa biyu.
73
3. Describe your daily schedule of activities, including the times, in Hausa. For
example, start with what time you get up, then eat breakfast, etc. I get up at 6:00
and eat breakfast at 6:30. I go to school at ..
4. Find out what your partner did yesterday at 7 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4
p.m., and 8 p.m., and how long each activity lasted. Work in pairs or in small
groups.
74
Vocabulary List
After
In the morning
In the afternoon
In the evening
Everyday
Last week
A year ago
Last Sunday
(Monday, Tuesday, etc.)
At school
Math
Music (instrumental)
Music (singing)
Book
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Home
Place
At home
Market
On Sunday
(Monday, Tuesday)
To do
To go (to)
To go shopping
To play soccer
To play basketball
To watch television
Breakfast
To eat breakfast
To eat
To get up
To wake up
To read
To study
To work
Bayan
Da safe
Da rana/ da marece
Da marece/ da dare
Kowacce rana/ kullum
Sati da ya wuce/ makon jiya
Ya yi shekara aya
Rar Lahadin da ta gabata/ da ta wuce
A makaranta
Lissafi
Kia
Waa
Litafi (pl., littattafai)
Karin kumallo
Abincin rana
Abincin dare
Gida (pl., gidaje)
Wuri (pl., wurare)
A gida
Kasuwa (pl., kasuwowi)
Rar Lahadi
Yi
Tafi / je
Ci kasuwa
Yi wasan wallon afa
Yi wasan wallon kwando (Niger: Basket)
Kallo/ kalla
Karin kumallo
Karya kumallo
Ci
Tashi
Farka
Karanta/ karatu
Yi karatu
Yi aiki
75
To sit
To come, arrive
Horse
Small
Time
Oclock
Remainder
Quarter
Half
What time is it?
It is three oclock.
In the morning
In the midday
In the late afternoon/
evening
At night
Noon
When
Now
Also, again, and
To
At
In
On
If, when
Man
Woman
Boy
Girl
Zauna
Zo/ zowa
Doki (pl., dawaki)
arami
Lokaci
arfe
Saura
Kwata
Rabi
arfe nawa ne?
arfe ukku ne?
Da safe
Da rana
Da marece/ Da yamma
Da dare
Tsakar rana
Yaushe
Yanzu
Kuma
Zuwa
A
Ciki, cikin
Bisa, a kan
In
Namiji (pl., Maza)
Mace (pl., Mata)
Yaro (pl., Yara)
Yarinya (pl., an mata)
76
ANSWER KEY
Activity 3
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
8:15 a.m.
9:50
5:10
4:30 p.m.
7:10
Activity 7
A 3.
B 1.
C. 2.
D 4.
Activity 8
Amadu is a student. He studies at school. Everyday he gets up at 7:15. He has breakfast at 7:30.
He goes to school at 8:00. After school he plays basketball. He reads books and watches TV in
the evening. He does not study on Saturday and Sunday.
1. Is Amadu a teacher?
2. Where does he study?
3. What does he do at 7:15?
4. When does he have breakfast?
5. What does he do at 8:00?
6. When does he play basketball?
Activity 9
Your answers may vary. However, did you understand the statements?
6. I eat breakfast. (Ina karya kumallo.)
3. I go to school. (Ina tafiya makaranta.)
1. I go to lunch with my friends. (Ina tafiya wurin abinci da rana tare da abokaina.)
5. I play basketball. (Ina yin wasan wallon kwando.)
4. I eat dinner with my friend. (Ina cin abincin dare tare da abokina.)
77
B
C
A
B
A
Activity 12
1. Yesterday I went to school.
2. Last year my friends and I played basketball.
3. They went shopping last week.
4. I was at home at 9:00 yesterday.
5. We ate dinner at 6:00 yesterday.
6. The boy studied music and math at school last year.
7. The girl watched television yesterday.
8. Last Sunday I read a book.
9. I was in Paris a year ago.
10. We had a house in Niamey two years ago.
1. Jiya na tafi makaranta.
2. Bara ni da abokaina mun yi wasan wallon kwando.
3. Sun ci kasuwa sati da ya wuce.
4. Na tafi gida a arfe 9:00 jiya.
5. Jiya mun ci abincin dare a arfe 6 :00.
6. Yaro ya yi karatun kia da lissafi a makaranta bara.
7. Yarinya ta yi kallon telebijin jiya.
8. Ran Lahadin da ta wuce na karanta wani littafi.
9. Bara war haka na tafi Paris.
10. Ya yi shekara biyu muna da gida a amai.
Activity 13
1. tashi
2. ci
3. tafi
4. yi wasan
5. kalli
78
6. yi aiki
7. yi karatu
Hello. My name is Nuri. I live in Katsina. I have a small house. I am a teacher at this school. I
teach math and music. Everyday I get up at 6:00 a.m. I eat breakfast and go to school. I am at
school at 8:00 a.m. On Tuesday and Thursday I play soccer for 2 hours. After school, I go
shopping. I am home at 5:00. In the evening I watch TV for an hour and read books for 2 hours.
79
Lesson 5
Meeting the Family
Gabatarwa da an Gida
This lesson will introduce you to the following:
- The kinship terms used for immediate and extended family
- How to ask and answer simple questions about family members
- The pronouns who, this, that, these, and those
Talking about Family
There is no way that we could place too much emphasis on the importance of family
relationships in the Hausa culture. The family is the core of a persons social network, the forum
for all decision making, and a financial security net for the majority of Hausas. Therefore, it
should not be surprising that when speaking Hausa, one spends a lot of time discussing family
affairs and, yes, family gossip. The Hausa family organization is patriarchal, a traditional
patriarchy that has long since adjusted to Islamic rules. Polygamy is the norm in the Hausa
culture. Men are allowed up to four wives according to the version of Islam that is prevalent in
Africa. In the case of divorce, children go to the father - as soon as they are old enough to be
independent of their mother. This patriarchal view of family is also reflected in the naming
system. Rather than a last name, the fathers name is used.
Thus, if Lawali is the son of Audu, his name is Lawali Audu. And, if this Audu is the son of Ali,
then Lawalis full name is Lawali Audu Ali. This is why professions and characteristics are often
used to differentiate between people and to identify them with a certain family. For instance,
Lawali may be the son of the village forager, and so rather than using his fathers name, one
would simple refer to him as Lawali of the Foragers. Sons and daughters generally live with their
families until they are married, and even then it is normal for them to section off an area of the
family household and continue to live with the larger family. Thus, there will very often be large
extended families living together.
This traditional approach is fading somewhat among some young upwardly mobile men in the
cities, but it continues to be the norm. An ordinary family, meaning the nuclear family of a man
and his wives, may have anywhere from five or six children to twenty or more depending on the
number of wives, vitality, and health. The father continues to be the head of the household until
death, not only over his immediate family, but second and third generations as well. Below are
some useful terms for talking about family in Hausa.
80
1. Look at these photos of families. Listen to the kinship terms and repeat after the
speaker.
Family
Family (all household members)
Relatives
Parents
Mother
Father
Children
Daughter
Son
Grandparents
Iyali
an gida
Dangi
Uwaye
Uwa
Uba
aa/ Yara
iya
a
Kakanni
81
Grandfather
Grandmother
Sister*
Older sister
Younger sister
Sisters
Brother*
Older brother
Younger brother
Older siblings
Younger siblings
Brothers
Kaka
Kaka
aruwa
Ya
anwa
anuwa mata
anuwa
Wa
ane
Yaya
anne
anuwa maza
*Note: Although there is a generic word for brother and sister in Hausa, it is much more
common to use the more specific words denoting younger brother or sister, and older brother or
sister. Also, the generic words for brother and sister are often used to denote a more general
relationship, somewhat like relative.
Also, note that the words for grandmother and grandfather are the same. They are differentiated
either by the pronoun that is attached to them or by some other external indication such as a
subject pronoun.
Determiners/ Pronouns:
The Hausa words for who, this, these, that, and those will now be introduced. First look at the
following list, and then study the examples below:
Wa
Wane
Wace
Wannan
Wancan
Waccan
Waanan
Waancan
Who (m/f)
Who (m)
Who (f)
This (m/f)
That (m)
That (f)
These
Those
As in English, these words can often be used interchangeably with he, she, or they,
depending on the situation.
Wannan namiji ne. = This is a man.
Wannan mace ce. = This is a woman.
Wancan namiji ne. = That is a man.
82
Note:
In some dialects wanga will be used in place of wannan.
2. Listen to the following dialogues and repeat them after the speaker. Role-play the
dialogues using the pictures above.
1. A. Who is this?
B. This is my mother.
Wace ce wannan?
2. A. Who is that?
B. That is my younger
sister.
Wace ce waccan?
Su wane ne?
Su kakannina ne.
3. Translate the following sentences into English. Check your work with the Answer Key.
1. Uwata da ubana suna da a guda da iya biyu.
2. Ina zaune tare da kakannina cikin wani babban gida.
3. Uwayensa suna zaune a Kaduna. Su leburori ne.
4. Ina da wa da ane. Su sojoji ne. A wani sansani suke da zama.
5. Tana da anwa. Sunanta Hadiza.
6. Wana yana da shekara 30. Yana da a guda da iya guda.
83
5. Create questions in Hausa to the following answers. Check your work with the Answer
Key for some suggested questions.
1.
__________________?
I, wannan anena ne.
2.
__________________?
3.
__________________?
4.
__________________?
Sunansa Amadu
A Maiduguri yake da zama.
Shi Likita ne.
5.
__________________?
6.
__________________?
6. Listen to the audio. Circle the word you hear. Check your work with the Answer
Key.
1. Mother
Father
2. Daughter
Son
3. Family
Parents
4. Children
Grandparents
5. Younger sister
Older brother
6. Grandmother
Mother
84
7. Listen and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in the workbook.
Husband
Wife
Married
Unmarried young woman
Previously married
woman
Previously married man
Unmarried man (older)
Unmarried
Young man
Miji
Mata
Da aure
Budurwa
Zawara / Bazawara
Gwauro
Tuzuru
Marar aure
Saurayi
8. Fill in the blanks using the words written in the boxes below. Check your answers with
the Answer Key.
1.
a
shekara 5
shekara 30
-sa
da aure
-ta
likita
2.
da aure
-sa
shekara 8
iya
-ta
anwa
shekara 10
soji
85
-su
10. Listen to several short dialogues as people answer questions about their family
members. Circle the correct answer for each question. Check your work with the Answer
Key.
1. A. Wace ce?
B. Ita uwata ce / anwata ce / kakata ce.
2. A. Tana da aure?
B. Aa, ita budurwa ce / likita ce / zawara ce.
3. A. Shi wane ne?
B. Shi matata ce / mijina ne / ubana ne.
4. A. Su wane ne?
B. Su uwayena ne / aana ne / kakannina ne.
5. A. Ina suke da zama?
B. Suna zama a bariki / cikin tanti / cikin gida.
6. A. Kana da yaya ko anne?
B. I, ina da wa biyu / a biyu / a biyu.
7. A. Wace ce wannan?
B. Wannan matata ce / uwata ce / mijina ne.
8. A. Tana da aa?
B. I, tana da ane biyu / anwa biyu / a biyu.
11. Read and translate the text. Put T (True) or F (False) next to the statements below.
Check your answers with the Answer Key.
Lawali yana da kakanni biyu, kakansa da kakarsa. Suna zaune tare da Alhajji Saidu da
iyalinsa. Lawali ba ya da wa ko ane. Amma yana da a da anwa. Su alibai ne. Lawali
yana da aure. Matarsa likita ce. Lawali da matarsa suna da iya guda da a guda.
86
87
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Give a brief description in Hausa of your immediate family. Include the age, name, and
profession of each person, and tell whether each person is married or single, and where he
or she lives. If you want to, use real pictures of your family members.
2. Ask your classmate in Hausa about his or her family (mother, father, sister, brother,
etc.) What are their names, how old are they, where do they live, and what are their
professions?
3. Work in small groups. Describe the pictures below. Use new vocabulary.
88
Vocabulary List
Parents
Father
Mother
Children
Son
Daughter
Brother (relative)
Older brother
Younger brother
Sister (relative)
Older sister
Younger sister
Older siblings
Younger siblings
Grandparents
Grandmother
Grandfather
Husband
Wife
Married
Unmarried
Unmarried/ Single young woman
Divorced single woman
Young man
Previously married man
Unmarried man (older)
Who is he/she?
Uwaye
Uba
Uwa
aa
a
iya
anuwa
Wa
ane
aruwa
Ya
anwa
Yaya
annai
Kakanni
Kaka
Kaka
Miji
Mata
Da aure
Marar aure (f)/ Maras aure (m)
Budurwa
Zawara/ Bazawara
Saurayi
Gwauro
Tuzuru
Shi wane ne?
Ita wace ce?
Su wane ne?
Shi ne.
Ita ce.
Su ne.
Guda
Wannan
Wa
Wancan
89
That (f)
These
Those
Baseball
Occupation/ Profession
Owner of/ the one with
Big (f)
Waccan
Waanan
Waancan
Wasan wallon gora ta baseball
Sanaa
Mai
Babba
Note:
Note that the word guda is used very much like aya in many cases. These words have
overlapping uses, and they are both very common.
90
ANSWER KEY
Activity 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mi sunansa?
2.
3.
4.
Mine ne sanaarsa?
5.
6.
Activity 6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Father
Daughter
Family
Grandparents
Older sister
Younger sister
Grandmother
91
Activity 8
1. anena yana da aure. Matarsa likita ce. Sunanta Saadiya. Tana da shekara 30. Suna
da a guda. Yana da shekara 5. Sunansa Mamadu..
1. My brother is married. His wife is a doctor. Her name is Saadiya. His wife is 30 years old.
They have a son. He is 5 years old. His name is Mamadu.
2. Bello yana da anwa. Sunanta Hadiza. Tana da aure.
Mijinta soji ne. Sunansa Ali. Suna da iya biyu.
Sunansu Hawa da Saude. Hawa ce babba. Tana da shekara 10. Saude tana da shekara 8.
Lawali has a grandfather and a grandmother. They live with Lawali and his family. Lawali has
no brothers. He has two sisters. They are students. Lawali is married. His wife is a doctor.
Lawali and his wife have a daughter and a son.
93
Lesson 6
Around Town
Cikin Gari
West
Yamma
East Gabas
Southeast
South
Kudu/
Gusum
94
2. Listen to the following sentences and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in
your workbook.
3. Work with a partner. Tell each other where certain cities or locations are in relation to
other cities or locations. Compose sentences according to the exercise above and the model
below.
Model: Los Angeles is south of San Francisco.
Los Angeles tana kudu da San Francisco.
4.Topographical features, urban buildings and landmarks are useful reference points
when getting to know a new area or for giving and receiving directions. Listen to a list of
common sites and features. Repeat after the speaker while following along in your
workbook.
Airport
Town
City
Small rural village
Bank
95
Building
House
Road
Small street, alley
Neighborhood
Bush taxi station
Car
Bus station
Gini/ Soro
Gida
Hanya
Titi
Unguwa
Tasha
Mota
Tashar bas
(Niger: Tashar kar)
Train station
Police station
Caf
Restaurant
Church
Mosque
Movie theater
Hospital
Market
Street vendor
Pharmacy
Post office
Store
Park (city park)
Park (game park)
Factory
Bridge
Farm, field
The Bush
Tropical Forest
Lake
Mountain
Hill
River
Tree
Open bush, rural area
Gidan waya
Shago/ Kanti
Wurin Shaatawa
Gandun daji
Masanaanta
Gada
Gona
Daji
Kurmi
Tafki (tabki)
Dutsi (literally, rock)
Tudu
Kogi
Icce
Karkara
96
5. Match the English word in the left column with the Hausa equivalent in the right
column. Check your work with the Answer Key.
1. Airport
2. Bank
3. Bus Station
4. Caf
5. Church
6. Movie Theater
7. Factory
8. Hospital
9. Park
10. Pharmacy
11. Post Office
12. Restaurant
A. Masanaanta
B. Asibiti
C. Filin jirgin sama
D. Kantin magani
E. Gidan abinci
F. Wurin shaatawa
G. Gidan waya
H. Tashar bas
I. Banki
J. Gidan gahuwa
K. Siliman
L. Coci
Directions:
Before continuing on to section six, we will introduce a second way of stating cardinal
directions. You have already been introduced to the direction + da formula. Now, we will
introduce the second common formula. Below are the same sentences that were used previously
with their equivalents using the words arewacin, kudancin, yammacin, and gabashin.
Zinder tana arewa da Kano. = Zinder tana arewacin Kano.
Niamey tana yamma da Marai. = Niamey tana yammacin Marai.
Abuja tana kudu da Zaria. = Abuja tana kudancin Zaria.
Maiduguri tant gabas da Katsina. = Maiduguri tana gabashin Katsina.
6. Translate the following sentences from Hausa into English. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
1. Kasuwa, tana kudancin banki.
2. Kogi, yana gabas da tudunan nan.
3. Filin jirgin sama, yana yammacin masauka.
4. Duwatsu da tafkuna, suna gabas da daji.
5. Kogi yana kudancin gona.
6. Siliman yana gabas da asibiti.
7. Tafki yana arewa da wurin shaatawa.
97
-gabas da
-tafki
2. Banki
-kudancin
-asibiti
3. Kantin Magani
-yamma da
-gidan waya
4. Gada
-arewacin
-kogi
5. Tashar bas
-gabas da
6. Masanaanta
-kudancin
-gona
7. Gona
-yamma da
-gari
8. Wurin shaatawa
-arewacin
-tafki
-ofishin an sanda
8. Listen to the speaker and circle the term you hear. Check your answers with the
Answer Key.
1. north
2. bank
3. train station
4. restaurant
5. post office
6. church
7. lake
8. building
west
park
bus station
caf
pharmacy
movie theater
river
bridge
south
bridge
airport
factory
hospital
factory
farm
mountain
9. Listen to the following words and word combinations and repeat after the speaker.
Follow along in your workbook.
Where is ?
Questions of location or direction in Hausa are formed using the word ina, which means
where. We have already seen this word in earlier chapters and noted that it is differentiated by
tone and vowel length from the pronoun ina. In the examples in the next section, there is a series
of where questions and their answers. Note that a question such as Ina coci yake? can also be
shortened to Ina coci? in most cases.
98
In front of
Next to
Between and
Across the street
Facing
Near
Far from
Turn left
Turn right
Go straight
Turn the corner
Follow the road
Where is the bank?
Gaban
Dab da
Tsakanin da
etaren hanya
Fuskantar (kallon )
Kusa da (kusan)
Nesa da
Yi hagu
Yi dama
Mie
Sha kwana
Bi hanya
Ina banki?
Ina banki yake?
10. Listen to the following sentences and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in
your workbook. Then translate them into English. Check your work with the Answer Key.
1. Ina tafki yake? Tafki yana dab da daji.
2. Ina kasuwa take? Kasuwa tana tsakanin ofishin an sanda da coci.
3. Ina gidan waya yake? Gidan waya yana kusa da asibiti.
4. Ina tashar jirgin asa take? Tashar jirgin asa tana fuskantar wurin shaatawa.
5. Ina gidan gahuwa yake? Gidan gahuwa yana gaban hotal.
99
11. Work with a partner. Compose similar dialogues using the words below. Role-play your
dialogues.
Model:
A. Gafara dai Malam. Ina wurin shaatawa yake?
B. Wurin shaatawa yana gaban asibiti.
A. To, na gode.
B. Babu laifi.
1.
wurin shaatawa
gaban
asibiti
2.
fuskantar
tashar bas
3.
daji
4.
ofishin an sanda
kusa da
siliman
5.
coci
tsakanin
dab da
dutsi
100
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Translate each phrase into Hausa. Check your work with the Answer Key.
A. The restaurant is next to the hotel.
B. The park is north of the lake.
C. The bank is between the church and the bus station.
D. The market is south of the bridge.
E. The caf is across from the bookstore.
F. The field is in front of the town.
2. Work with a partner or in small groups. In Hausa, come up with a list of the facilities on
your base. Then draw a schematic map of the base. Now describe the location of each
facility. Use the following vocabulary: shago, asibiti, ofishin an sanda, siliman, wurin
shaatawa, masauki, coci, filin jirgin sama, gidan abinci, daji, and your language training
facility. Use these prepositions: tsakanin, dab da, fuskantar, and gaban.
101
Vocabulary List
Where (interrogative)
North
South
East
West
North of
South of
East of
West of
Town
City
Small rural village
Neighborhood
Mountain
Hill
Lake
River
Forest
Bridge
Road / Street
Small street / alley
Store
Street vendor
Market
Church
Mosque
Restaurant
Caf
City park
Game park
Bank
Car
Airport
Train station
Bus station
Bush taxi station
Ina
Arewa
Kudu / Gusum
Gabas
Yamma
Arewacin
Kudancin / gusumcin
Gabashin
Yammacin
Gari (pl. garuruwa)
Birni (pl. birane)
auye (pl. auyuka)
Unguwa (pl. unguwowi)
Babban tudu / Dutsi
Tudu (pl. tuduna)
Tafki / Tabki (pl. tafkuna)
Kogi (pl. Kogaye)
Daji (pl. dazuzzuka)
Gada (pl. gadoji)
Hanya (pl. hanyoyi)
Titi (pl. tituna)
Shago (Niger: kanti)
Mai tebur
Kasuwa (pl. kasuwanni / kasuwowi)
Coci
Masallaci (pl. masallatai)
Gidan abinci (pl. gidajen )
Gidan gahuwa
Wurin shaatawa (pl. wuraren )
Gandun daji (pl. gandayen daji)
Banki (pl. bankuna)
Mota (pl. motoci)
Filin jiragen sama (pl. filayen )
Tashar jiragen asa (pl tashoshin )
Tashar bas
Tasha (pl. tashoshi)
102
Pharmacy
Hospital
Movie Theater
Factory
Farm / field
Post office
Police station
Bookstore
Right
Left
In front of
Next to
Between
Close to
Across from
Far (adv)
Far (noun)
Problem
No problem / Youre
welcome
103
ANSWER KEY
Activity 5
1. Airport
2. Bank
3. Bus Station
4. Caf
5. Church
6. Movie Theater
7. Factory
8. Hospital
9. Park
10. Pharmacy
11. Post Office
12. Restaurant
Activity 6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
104
Activity 8
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
north arewa
bridge gada
bus station tashar bas
caf gidan gahuwa
post office gidan waya
church coci
farm gona
mountain dutsi
Activity 10
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
105
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
106
Lesson 7
Shopping
Sayayya
Economy:
Hausas have traditionally been merchants. It was, in fact, largely because of the many traveling
Hausa merchants that Hausa became such a widespread trade language in West Africa. To this
day, Hausa remains a trade language far beyond the borders of Hausaland proper. It is not
uncommon to hear the meat vendors on the streets of Ghana calling out suya (a Hausa word
meaning cooked meat) or to see the rows of Hausa money changers at the border. The traditional
economy of Niger and Northern Nigeria remains largely unchanged today. Although currency is
now used in place of gold, cowry shells, and other means of bartering, the basic system is the
same. For the majority of the population, buying and selling take place in large open air markets,
where the primary goods are locally grown and made. These goods include items such as millet,
corn, milk, and livestock. There are some stores where the prices are listed on items, but for the
most part bargaining is expected. For the outsider, bargaining is absolutely necessary.
The average Hausa is poor by global standards, considering that he or she lives a subsistence
lifestyle with relatively few luxuries. The cost of living in this area of the world is extremely
cheap by Western standards; it is one of the cheapest in the world, in fact, but for locals it can
still prove impossible to find money for food. The season before harvest is sometimes referred to
as the hunger season, and many children do not make it through this period. In 2005, in fact,
Niger won the dubious distinction of being at the very bottom of the Human Development Index.
Nigeria is significantly better off economically, but is plagued by high crime rates and systemic
corruption. The standard of living in urban areas is significantly higher than average, but still not
high.
107
Currency in Nigeria:
The currency in Nigeria is called the Naira. The following chart shows the denominations of this
currency and their Hausa names. Note that most of the bills and coins have a Hausa nickname in
addition to their proper Hausa name.
Coins:
1k
Kwabo
5k
Kwabo biyar / sisi
10k
Kwabo goma / sule
25k
50k
Notes:
1
5
10
20
Naira
Naira biyar / mai Tafawa Balewa
Naira goma / balama
Naira ashirin / ar Murtala
The abbreviation k in the above chart denotes kobo, which is to the Naira what the cent is to the
dollar. The Hausa kwabo is derived from this word.
Currency in Niger:
The currency in Niger is the CFA Franc (tamma in Hausa), which is the currency of the
majority of francophone West Africa. Due to the devaluation of the CFA franc, it has become
standard in Hausa to count money with fives (dala) as the base increment, and it is rare that one
would have any reason to refer to a tamma in day to day Hausa. When the counting is done in
French, however, the base increment is the franc. There are nicknames for many of the coins, but
as they are somewhat regional in nature, they are left out of this chart. Counting by fives looks a
bit intimidating at first, but it is actually a fairly convenient way to talk about the currency.
108
Coins:
Notes:
CFA 5
CFA 10
CFA 25
CFA 50
CFA 100
CFA 200
CFA 250
CFA 500
Dala
Dala biyu
Dala biyar
Dala goma
ar jika
CFA 1,000
CFA 2,000
CFA 5,000
CFA 10,000
ar jika biyu
ar jika biyar
ar jika goma
Dala ashirin
Dala arbain
Dala Hamsin
Dala ari
Using the dala and the jika as your base, you must learn to talk about money in Hausa. See
below some examples of this system.
CFA 125
CFA 300
CFA 1,500
CFA 290
CFA 900
In these examples, take note of the fact that 1,500 is generally referred to as a jika and a half or
three hundred. Note also the use of ba to indicate minus. Thus, rather than saying fiftyeight, one generally says sixty minus two. This is usually used when the amount is just a bit
shy of a round number.
Ayaba
Mangworo
Tumatir
Dankali
Madara
Man shanu
wai
Cuku
109
Millet
Shinkafa
Burodi
Sukari
Hatsi
Sorghum
Masara
Kifi
Naman kaza
Dawa
Millet drink
Millet mush
Fura
Tuwo
Alkama
Kabewa
Nama
Ruwa
Wake
Gujiya
Salati
Kabeji / Shu
110
2. Work in pairs or in small groups. Ask your partner what foods he or she has at home.
Use the model below.
Model: A. Wane irin abinci kake da shi a gida?
B. Ina da ayaba da tumatir da dankalin turawa.
3. Familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary. Listen to the speaker and follow
along in the workbook. Look at the pictures and try to guess the meaning of the underlined
words.
cefane ne.
kanti ce.
kashiya ne.
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A street or market vendor who sells goods from a table or even a mat
by the roadside or in the market.
This title translates as one who sells and is commonly used to
distinguish a particular vendor specializing in a particular product.
Similar to the above example; one who This is used to describe
various professions such as one who repairs radios.
Market trader. Any person involved in commerce.
ar kasuwa (f.)
Kanti/ Shago
Mai talla
Another thing to remember is that the word kanti has a very broad range of application. This is
because Hausa does not have words for different types of stores. Traditionally, there were no gift
stores, bookstores, grocery stores, and such, and so the language has not formed words for these
distinctions. One way that words are formed for these types of shops is to use the word kanti
followed by the type of item that is sold. For example, Kantin littattafai is a bookstore. This is the
simplest approach, and the one used in this textbook. But, one should bear in mind that often the
descriptions are longer and more convoluted. For instance, rather than saying Kantin kyaututtuka
for gift shop, one might say Kanti inda ake saida kyaututtuka, meaning the shop where gifts are
sold. Likewise there is no set word for department store. The simplest translation, and the one
used here, is simply babban kanti, meaning a large shop. Other possible translations would take
the form of a description of a large shop where many different types of things are sold under one
roof. The third option, one that is used often in the cities, is to simply refer to the place in
English or French. All of this is something that one must bear in mind when learning Hausa,
because on the street, and depending on where you live, the terminology may vary.
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4. Work in pairs or in small groups. Make up dialogues using the model below.
Model:
A.
A.
B.
B.
Note: Saya is a verb that changes its ending, depending on what kind of object it takes. When it
takes a pronoun direct object, it ends in i. When it takes a direct object, it ends in e. And, the
verbal noun is saye.
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5. Familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary. Listen to the speaker and follow
along in your workbook. Look at the pictures and try to guess the meaning of the
underlined words.
littattafai.
kantin kyaututtuka.
6. Match each Hausa sentence in the left column with the English equivalent in the right
column. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1. Ina so in sayi burodi da man shanu.
2. Abubakar, yana so ya sayi littafi.
3. Amadu yana so ya sayi kifi.
4. Kabiru, yana so ya sayi agogo.
5. Muna so mu sayi kyauta.
6. Suna so su sayi cuku.
7. anwata tana so ta sayi tufafi.
Grammar Note
There is no exact translation in Hausa for the English word of. However, the endings n and r
play a very similar role. The n is attached to masculine nouns and the r to feminine nouns. See
the following examples, many of which you have already seen. This is the same principle as the
attached possessive pronouns except tht it applies to nouns instead of pronouns.
114
Kilon shinkafa
Kwalin sukari
Mangworo guda
Fakiti (Niger: fake) / unshi / kwali
(kwalin sukari)
A bowl of sorghum
A pile of sweet potatoes
A loaf of bread
A bottle of water
A carton of milk
A dozen eggs
Kwanon dawa
50 worth of meat
Nama na 50
7. Work with a partner or in small groups. Pretend that you are planning to have a
surprise birthday party for one of your classmates. You need to buy some food and gifts.
Make a shopping list and tell your partner in Hausa what you want to buy.
How much is it?
To ask how much something costs in Hausa, the interrogative nawa is used. However, because
bargaining is usually necessary, there are a few more useful words that will be needed in order to
get the right price. The following dialogue shows a simple bargaining scene and gives examples
of some essential bargaining terminology. This dialogue uses some words and grammar that you
115
are not yet familiar with, but it will give you a good idea of how bargaining sounds in Hausa, and
there are certain terms used that should be memorized. Below, you will see the doubling of nawa
to indicate each or a piece. And, you will notice that the last word in a given number is
repeated to indicate each or a piece in the response.
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A pound is 50.
OK, thanks.
To, na gode.
No problem.
Ba laifi.
9. Pretend you want to buy the items listed below. One of your classmates is a salesperson.
Role-play an In the Shop dialogue using the dialogue above as a model. Work in pairs or
in small groups.
1. Mangworo ukku
CFA 275
65
3. Buhun dankali
CFA 12,000
35
5. Kwalin madara
CFA 1,050
6. Burodi guda
25
CFA 600
10. Complete the sentences using the words in the box. Check your answers with the
Answer Key.
Kantin tufafi
Kantin
Kantin
littattafai
kyautuka
Babban kanti
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11. Listen to the following sentences and circle the words you hear. Check your
answers with the Answer Key.
1. I buy books in the clothing store / bookstore.
2. My sister buys gifts at the gift store / grocery store.
3. My mother buys sugar at the gift store / grocery store across from the bank.
4. My grandparents buy milk and butter at the bookstore / grocery store.
5. We buy clothes, books, and gifts at the department store/ bookstore.
Na iya
Ka iya
Kin iya
Ya iya
Ta iya
Mun iya
Kun iya
Sun iya
An iya
<<To Take>>
The Hausa verb to take is one that will teach you to pronounce the glottalized D. You must
also remember that this verb has endings that change depending on the type of object it takes.
I take
You take (m)
You take (f)
He takes
She takes
We take
You take (pl)
They take
One takes
Ina auka
Kana auka
Kina auka
Yana auka
Tana auka
Muna auka
Kuna auka
Suna auka
Ana auka
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I took. = Na auka.
I took it. = Na aukeshi.
I took a tomato. = Na auki tumatir.
12. a) Listen to the following dialogue and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in
the workbook.
A. Hello. I want to buy a loaf of bread. How much is it?
A. Barka da rana. Ina so in saye burodi guda. Nawa ne kuinsa?
B. It is 50.
B. Naira hamsin ne.
A. Can I pay with a credit card?
A. Na iya biya da katin bashi?
B. Im sorry, but we take cash.
B. Gafara, sai kuin hannu.
b) Role-play the dialogue. Make up similar dialogues using the words below.
1. Ruwa, kwalba biyu
2. Littafi
3. Madara, kwali guda
4. Cuku, laba guda
5. wai, dozin guda
13. Read along as you listen to the dialogue and then answer the follow-up questions.
Check your work with the Answer Key.
Lawali: Barka da rana Ali!
Ali: Yawwa Lawali! Barkarka dai!
Lawali: Ina za ka?
Ali: Ina tafiya zuwa kantin kayan cefane.
Lawali: Mi kake so ka saya?
Ali: Ina so in sayi burodi, ruwan kwalba guda biyu, kuma mangworo biyar. Kai fa, ina
za ka?
119
Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Translate the following into Hausa. Check your work with the Answer Key.
A. Where do you buy tomatoes and potatoes?
B. Can I pay with a credit card? No, we take cash.
C. I will buy the gift for my sister in the clothing store.
D. How much is a loaf of bread? - 25
2. In Hausa, explain where you buy groceries/gifts/books/clothes.
3. What would you tell a salesclerk in Nigeria if you wanted to buy a carton of milk/a
watch/a dozen eggs? How would you ask the price of each item? Role-play the dialogue.
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Vocabulary List
How much ?
It is
I want to buy sugar
As well
Banana
Butter
Meat
Chicken
Fish
Sweet potato
Milk
Traditional millet drink/food usually with nono
mixed in (This is a Hausa staple food.)
Cooked pounded grain (usually millet) food (This is
the traditional staple of the Hausa diet, and it is also a
generic term for food.)
The traditional yoghurt that is usually mixed with
fura
Tomato
Squash
Beans
Peanuts
Lettuce/ Salad
Cabbage
Mango
Potato
Sugar
Millet
Sorghum
Wheat
Rice
Cheese
Eggs
A pound/kilo of cheese
A sack of sweet potatoes
A loaf of bread
A bottle of water
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Nawa ne ?
Kuinsa
Ina so in sayi sukari
Kuma
Ayaba
Man shanu
Nama
Naman kaza
Kifi
Dankali
Madara
Fura
Tuwo
Nono
Tomatir
Kabewa
Wake
Gujiya/ Gyaa
Salati
Kabeji (Niger: Shu)
Mangworo (pl., mangworori)
Dankalin turawa
Sukari
Hatsi
Dawa
Alkama
Shinkafa
Cuku
wai (pl., wayoyi/ wayaye)
Cuku, laba guda
Buhun dankali (pl. buhunhunan)
Burodi
Ruwan kwalba guda
A dozen eggs
A box of
A carton of milk
Department Store
Clothing Store
Clothing
Grocery Store
Bookstore
Bread
To reduce
For me
Half
Credit card
Cash
Cashier
Salesclerk
To buy
To take
To pay for
Only, just
Akwatin
Kwali guda na madara
Babban kanti
Kantin tufafi
Tufafi/ Kayan jiki
Kantin kayan cefane
Kantin littattafai
Burodi
Rage
Mini
Rabi
Katin bashi (pl., katunnan)
Kuin hannu
Kashiya
Mai jiran kanti
Saya
auka
Biya kuin
Sai
Note that in future lessons, we will explore the various uses of the word sai. In this lesson, we
used this word to express only or just, but in future lessons, you will see that it has many
other uses.
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ANSWER KEY
Activity 6
.
1. Ina so in sayi burodi da man shanu.
2. Abubakar, yana so ya sayi littafi.
3. Amadu yana so ya sayi kifi.
4. Kabiru, yana so ya sayi agogo.
5. Muna so mu sayi kyauta.
6. Suna so su sayi cuku.
7. anwata tana so ta sayi tufafi.
Activity 10
1. kantin kyaututtuka
2. kantin kayan cefane
3. kantin litttattafai
4. kantin tufafi
5. babban kanti
Activity 11
1. Ina sayen littattafai a kantin littattafai.
2. anwata tana sayen kyaututtuka a
kantin kyaututtuka.
3. Uwata tana sayen sukari a kantin kayan
cefane da yake kallon banki.
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Activity 13
1.
2.
3.
4.
take cash.)
C. Ina saya wa anwata kyauta a kantin tufafi. (I will buy the gift for my sister in the
clothing store.)
D. Nawa ne burodi? Naira ashirin da biyar. (How much is a loaf of bread? - 25)
125
Lesson 8
Eating Out
Tafiya Zuwa Gidan Abinci
Eating Out:
Eating out in Nigeria or Niger is completely unlike how it is done in America. For the majority
of the people, eating out at an actual sit-down restaurant is rare, and many rural people have
never gone to such a restaurant. What is more common is to eat food that is sold by street
vendors. In the markets and in every village, there are a variety of street vendors selling food.
These range from young girls selling snacks from a tray on their head, to the sedentary vendors
who sell hot foods on a plate for those who are looking for more of a meal. The actual restaurants
with menus are usually located in the cities and are frequented mainly by urban professionals,
mainly men. The next section shows a sample of a menu from a restaurant of this sort, but before
moving on to the menu, take a look at the following list of common street foods and vendors.
Bean cakes (fried)
Grain cakes (fried)
Meat skewer
Meat
Millet porridge (watery and hot)
Fermented millet drink
Traditional Yoghurt (to mix with fura)
Rice and beans
Deep fried dough (wheat flour)
Food made from bean flour and oil
Tofu
Hot pepper seasoning (used on all of the above)
126
osai
Waina
Tsire
Nama
Kunu/ Koko
Fura
Nono
Shinkafa da wake
1. Look at the restaurant menu below. Repeat the words after the speaker while
following along in the workbook.
Tuwon shikafa
Shinkafa da wake
Soyayyen dankali
Taliya da miya
Beans
Wake
Chicken
Naman Kaza
Mutton
Naman Tunkiya
Goat
Naman akuya
Fish
Kifi
Orange juice
Ruwan lemun-zai
Drinking water
Ruwan sha
Soft drink
Lemu
Coffee
Milk
Madara
Tea
Shayi
Beer
Giya
Wine
Giya (Niger:
Price
500 / CFA 2000
500 / CFA 2000
250 / CFA 1000
300 / CFA 1200
400 / CFA 1600
350 / CFA 1400
400 / CFA 1600
250 / CFA 1000
600 / CFA 2400
500 / CFA 2000
500 / CFA 2000
750 / CFA 3000
150 / CFA 600
25 / CFA 100
150 / CFA 600
100 / CFA 400
100 / CFA 400
100 / CFA 400
200 / CFA 800
duban)/Mai
2. Imagine that you have 4,500 (CFA 18,500). What would you order at the Small World
Restaurant?
127
3. A) Listen while reading along with the following dialogue between a waiter and a
patron.
A.
A.
B.
B.
A.
A.
B.
B.
Sabis.
Waiter.
Mi kuke so?
B) Make up similar dialogues using the words and word combinations that are in the box.
1. kofin gahuwa shayi
2. tambulan madara shayi/gahuwa
3. tambulan ruwan lemun zai lemu
4. kifi da taliya naman kaza da soyayyen dankalin turawa
4. Listen to the following dialogue that takes place at a restaurant. Follow along in
your workbook. Pay attention to the new words. Role-play the dialogue. You can substitute
some words with any food from the Small World Restaurant menu.
A.
A.
B.
B.
A.
A.
B.
B.
A.
A.
B.
B.
A.
A.
B.
B.
128
A.
A.
B.
B.
A.
A.
Ga lissafi, malam.
Yes, no problem.
I drink
You drink
You drink
He drinks
We drink
You drink
They drink
One drinks
Ina sha
Kana sha
Kina sha
Yana sha
Muna sha
Kuna sha
Suna sha
Ana sha
I drank
You drank
You drank
He drank
We drank
You drank
They drank
One drank
Na sha
Ka sha
Kin sha
Ya sha
Mun sha
Kun sha
Sun sha
An sha
Note that this is a verb that takes a terminal n in the continuous tense when it is followed by a
direct object.
Saying Please
As you may have noticed by now, there is no word in Hausa that truly translates the English
please. The Hausa term that is most often used to translate please is don Allah, and while in
certain situations it is a good translation for please, it is usually not quite the right word. In
reality, don Allah (literally, for God) carries a more emphatic meaning than please. Often times
it would be translated more precisely as for Gods sake, for the love of God, really, Im
serious, or I beg of you. Fortunately, however, in Hausa, the word please is not usually
necessary. Hausa is a very direct language, and native speakers generally speak in commands. To
the English speaker it can, in fact, sound like a very rude language, but once you become
accustomed to the flow of the language, you will find that the subtleties, albeit not easily
explained, are what determine whether one is speaking rudely or not.
5. Using the restaurant menu above, tell your classmates in Hausa what you ate and drank
at a restaurant the last time you were there.
6. Listen and read along with the dialogue. Fill in the blanks with the missing word in
English. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
Ina ka ci abinci _____________ da ta wuce?
Na ci abinci a ______________.
Ka ci kai aya?
Aa, ___________ ya zo tare da ni.
Mi ya ci?
129
Ya ci taliya da _____.
Mi ya ____?
Ya sha _____.
Mi ka ____?
Na ci _____________ da soyayyen dankalin turawa.
Mi ka sha?
Na sha ___________.
7. Below are some table service items. Listen and repeat after the speaker.
Plate
Bowl (metal)
Cup
Glass
Faranti
Kwano
Kofi
Tambulan (Niger:
Finjali)
Knife
Fork
Spoon
Handkerchief
Wua
Cokali / koshiya
Hankici
Ladle
Mug
Clay Bowl
Cooking Pot
Ludayi
Moa
Kasko
Tukunya
130
8. Match the English words in the left column with the Hausa equivalents in the right
column. Check your work with the Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Plate
Metal bowl
Cup
Glass
Knife
Fork
Spoon
Handkerchief
A. Cokali
B. Tambulan
C. Wua
D. Cokali mai yatsa
E. Kwano
F. Faranti
G. Hankici
H. Kofi
9. Listen to the following model. Repeat after the speaker. Compose similar sentences
using the words below.
Model: A. Ba ni da cokali. Don Allah ka kawo mini cokali.
A. I do not have a spoon. Can I please have a spoon.
B. To babu laifi. Ga shi nan.
B. Yes, no problem. Here you are.
1. Hankici
2. Kofi
3. Cokali mai yatsa
4. Wua
5. Tambulan
10. Listen to the speaker and circle the words you hear. Check your answers with the
Answer Key.
1. I want a glass of milk / juice.
2. We drank orange juice / soft drink at a restaurant.
3. Did you eat salad / pasta?
4. They ate fried potatoes and chicken / fish.
5. She had soup and hamburger / salad and beef.
6. Can I have a knife / fork?
7. He does not have a glass / plate.
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End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Say in Hausa what you usually eat and drink for breakfast / lunch / dinner.
2. Say in Hausa what you ate and drank at a restaurant the last time you were there.
3. Pretend that you are at a restaurant now. What would you say in Hausa if you wanted
to eat salad and fried potatoes? You also want a cup of coffee, and you need a fork and
a napkin. What would you say in Hausa if you did not know what to choose? Your
classmate is a waiter. Role-play the dialogue. Work in pairs or in small groups.
4. Read and translate the following text into English. Answer the questions that follow in
complete sentences, in Hausa. Check the Answer Key to review your translation and to
check your answers.
Ran Jumaa da ta wuce, bayan na sauka daga aiki, ni da wana da uwayenmu muka tafi
gidan abinci mai suna Small World. aramin gidan abinci ne da ke fuskantar banki.
Shi sabis ya ce a ganinsa naman kaza da salati da kuma taliya da miya suna da dai
sosai. Wana ya ci naman shanu da dankali; ya kuma sha shayi da sukari da lemun tsami
a ciki. Uwata ta ci naman shanu da miya. Ta sha lemu. Daga baya ta ci gutsuren kyat.
Ubana ya ci naman shanu da soyayyen dankalin turawa da kuma tumatir. Shi ma ya ci
gutsuren kyat, kuma ya sha gahuwa. Ni, na ci naman kaza da salati. Ya yi dai sosai! So
na yi in biya da katin bashi, amma ubana ya biya da kuin hannu. Mun yi nishai sosai!
1. Yaushe iyali suka tafi gidan abinci?
2. Ina gidan abinci yake?
3. Da mi da mi sabis ya ce suna da dai sosai?
4. Wana, mi ya ci?
5. Mi ya sha?
6. Uwata ta ci naman shanu da miya ?
7. Ta sha ruwan lemun zai ko lemu?
8. Ta ci gutsuren kyat ?
9. Mi ubana ya ci?
10. Ya sha giya?
11. Ubana ya biya da katin bashi?
12. Mun yi nishai a gidan abinci?
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Vocabulary List
Metal bowl
Clay bowl
Cake
Coffee
Cup
Mug
Ladle
Fork
Fried
Glass
Knife
Handkerchief
Rag
Orange juice
Mango juice
Piece
Plate
Please*
Salad
Soup
Spoon
Tea
Beef
Bring to me
Here you are
To Drink/ Drank
To eat/ Ate
In his opinion
Very much
Delicious
Very well
Lemon
Dessert
Bill
Wine
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Beer
I wanted to
What all (lit., what
and what?)
[interrogative]
A piece of
Afterwards
To get off work (lit., to
step down from work)
Thats what she did
Only
To enjoy oneself
By yourself
Please*
Giya
So na yi in
Da mi da mi
Gutsuren
Daga baya
Sauka daga aiki
Haka ta yi
Kaai
Yi nishai
Kai aya
Don Allah
134
ANSWER KEY
Activity 6
Ina ka ci abinci _____________ da ta wuce?
Na ci abinci a ______________.
Ka ci kai aya?
Aa, ___________ ya zo tare da ni.
Mi ya ci?
Ya ci taliya da _____.
Mi ya ____?
Ya sha _____.
Mi ka ____?
Na ci _____________ da soyayyen dankalin turawa.
Mi ka sha?
Na sha ___________.
Activity 8
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Plate
Metal bowl
Cup
Glass
Knife
Fork
Spoon
Handkerchief
F Faranti
E Kwano
H Kofi
B Tambulan
C Wua
D Cokali mai yatsa
A Cokali
G Hankici
Activity 10
1. Madara
2. Ruwan lemun zai
3. Taliya
4. Kifi
5. Salati da naman shanu
6. Wua
7. Tambulan
Milk
Orange juice
Pasta
Fish
Salad and beef
Knife
Glass
135
136
Lesson 9
Holidays, Customs, and Cultural Traditions
Salloli, Bukukuwa, da Aladu
This lesson will introduce you to the following:
- How to read dates
- How to use ordinal numbers
- Names of the months
- Holidays, customs, and cultural traditions of Nigeria and Niger.
Holidays:
As we have mentioned, the vast majority of Hausas are Muslim, and thus the main holidays are
Muslim holidays. A religious holiday (Salla) is thought of in a very different light than a secular
holiday like Ranar Hutu. Generally, the religious and cultural holidays are the most celebrated,
while the secular holidays are just given a nod, except by the urban elite for whom a national
holiday constitutes a day off from work. Below is a list of the major holidays, and notes
regarding their celebration. The major secular and non-Muslim holidays that are celebrated in
both Nigeria and Niger are listed in a separate list. In addition to certain more specific greetings,
one can say barka da ... followed by the name of just about any holiday or event, meaning
greetings on ... In the case of Muslim religious holidays, their celebration always centers
around some sort of prayer or benediction that is given by the limam, the religious leader.
137
Hausa
Notes
Eid Al-Adha
Babbar Salla/
Sallar Layya
Eid Al-Fitr
Eid Al Maulud
aramar Salla/
Sallar Azumi
Mauludi
During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn till dusk. People
rise at about 4:30 a.m. during this time in order to ensure that they have drunk plenty of water
and eaten food before the ladan begins the call to prayer (kiran salla) at dawn. After this, they do
not eat or drink anything until dusk. At dusk, as soon as the call to prayer rings out, everyone
drinks a bland watery porridge that is easy on the stomach before eating solid food.
Other Nigerian and Nigerien Holidays:
October 1: Nigerian Independence Day
January 1: New Years Day
August 3: Nigerien Independence Day
December 25: Christmas Day
Also, there are several other national holidays which are secular in nature in each nation.
Additionally, both countries celebrate (officially) May Day and Easter. These holidays, while
officially recognized, are barely noticed in the rural Hausa environment.
138
Ordinal Numbers: Ordinal numbers are extremely easy to use in Hausa. You simply add na
or ta before the cardinal number, and then you have the ordinal number. Na is used for an
ordinal number that describes a masculine object, and ta is used for an ordinal number that
describes a feminine object. As always, plurals will be treated as masculine. The ordinal number
is an adjective and generally follows the noun that it describes.
1. Listen and repeat after the speaker. Follow along in the workbook.
aya
1 one
First
2 two
Second
3 three
Third
4 four
Fourth
5 five
Fifth
6 six
Sixth
7 seven
Seventh
8 eight
Eighth
9 nine
Ninth
10 ten
Tenth
na aya/ ta aya
biyu
na biyu/ ta biyu
ukku
na ukku/ ta ukku
huu
na huu/ ta huu
biyar
na biyar/ ta biyar
shidda
na shidda/ ta shidda
bakwai
na bakwai/ ta bakwai
takwas
na takwas/ ta takwas
tara
na tara/ ta tara
goma
na goma/ ta goma
2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences. Use the words located in the box. Check your
answers with the Answer Key.
ta biyar
ta biyu
ta farko
ta shidda
ta ukku
ta bakwai
139
ta huu
ta bakwai
3. Listen and repeat after the speaker the ordinal numbers 11 through 19. Follow
along in the workbook.
11 eleven
eleventh
12 twelve
twelfth
13 thirteen
thirteenth
14 fourteen
fourteenth
15 fifteen
fifteenth
16 sixteen
sixteenth
17 seventeen
seventeenth
18 eighteen
eighteenth
19 nineteen
nineteenth
20 twenty
twentieth
140
5. Listen to the ordinal numbers 20-30 and repeat after the speaker.
20 twenty
Twentieth
21 twenty-one
twenty-first
22 twenty-two
twenty-second
23 twenty-three
twenty-third
24 twenty-four
twenty-fourth
25 twenty-five
twenty-fifth
26 twenty-six
twenty-sixth
27 twenty-seven
twenty-seventh
28 twenty-eight
twenty-eighth
29 twenty-nine
twenty-ninth
30 thirty
Thirtieth
40 forty
Fortieth
50 fifty
Fiftieth
60 sixty
Sixtieth
70 seventy
Seventieth
80 eighty
Eightieth
90 ninety
Ninetieth
ashirin
na (ta) ashirin
ashirin da aya
na (ta) ashirin da aya
ashirin da biyu
na (ta) ashirin da biyu
ashirin da ukku
na (ta) ashirin da ukku
ashirin da huu
na (ta) ashirin da huu
ashirin da biyar
na (ta) ashirin da biyar
ashirin da shidda
na (ta) ashirin da shidda
ashirin da bakwai
na (ta) ashirin da bakwai
ashirin da takwas
na (ta) ashirin da takwas
ashirin da tara
na (ta) ashirin da tara
talatin
na (ta) talatin
arbain
na (ta) arbain
hamsin
na (ta) hamsin
sittin
na (ta) sittin
sabain
na (ta) sabain
tamanin
na (ta) tamanin
tisain/ gomiya tara
na (ta) tisain/ na (ta) gomiya tara
141
ari
na (ta) ari
6. Listen to the names of the months and repeat after the speaker.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Janairu
Febrairu
Maris
Afrilu
Mayu
Yuni
Yuli
Agusta
Satumba
Oktoba
Nuwamba
Disamba
Islamic Calendar
Especially in rural areas, the lunar Islamic calendar is often used alongside the Gregorian
calendar. These months do not correspond to Gregorian months because the year is about 11
days shorter by the Islamic calendar, and thus the correspondence of months is slightly different
each year. You will not need to keep track of the Islamic date; however, it is good to be able to
recognize the Islamic months when you hear them. You will also hear much more talk of the
Islamic calendar as the month of Ramadan approaches. This is the month of fasting that is
observed throughout the Hausa speaking world. See below the names of the months in the
Islamic calendar.
Muharram
Safar
Rabiu Lawwal
Rabiu Lahir
Jimada Lawwal
Jimada Lahir
Rajab
Shaaban
Ramadan (Ramazan)
Shawwal
Zulida
Zulhajji
142
7. Look at the picture and say the dates and days of the week in Hausa. Practice the
different dates, days, and months through the year.
Model : Yau ranar 15 ga watan Afrilu na shekarar 1999. Yau Alhamis ce.
8. Listen as the speaker reads the following years. Repeat after the speaker.
1925 - nineteen twenty-five alif da ari tara da ashirin da biyu
1900 - nineteen hundred
alif da ari tara
2004 - two thousand four
dubu biyu da huu
Dates in Hausa:
Telling dates in Hausa is fairly straightforward. The numbers are said in the same order as in
English and connected by da (and). One thing that must be remembered is that rather than using
the Hausa dubu to express one thousand in the dates from 1000 through 1999, the Arabic
loanword alif is generally used. From the year 2000,however, the Hausa dubu is generally
preferred. When writing dates in Hausa, you must use the European (dd/mm/yyyy) system
although you will often find that Hausa speakers prefer to write out the name of the month. Also,
note that the ne/ce stabilizer is often left out in these sentences. This is not uncommon in Hausa,
and you will get used to identifying the places in which the stabilizer can be left out. In the same
way, the word ran or ranar is often left out before the name of the day of the week. Thus, rather
than saying, Yau rar Jumaa ce, one could simply say, Yau Jumaa. Finally, the ordinal
numbers in dates can take an alternate form. Rather than saying rana ta goma ga wata, one could
say ranar goma ga wata.
143
1987
1960
1945
2000
1700
1516
10. Listen and repeat after the speaker the names of Nigerian and Nigerien holidays.
Follow along in the workbook.
1. Eid al-Kabir: Zulhajji 10th
2. Eid al-Fitr: Shawwal 1st
3. Christmas: December 25th
4. Independence Day
Nigeria: October 1st
Niger: August 3rd
11. Listen to the speakers talk about their dates of birth. Follow along in the
workbook.
An haifeni a ranar 11 ga
An haifeni a ranar 23
ga watan Janairu na
1936.
shekarar 1987.
144
12. Work in pairs or in small groups. Ask your partner when he was born. Use the model
below.
Model: A. I was born on the 15th of February, 1982. And you, when were you born?
A. An haifeni a ranar 15 ga watan Febrairu a shekarar 1982. Kai fa, yaushe aka
haife ka?
14. Read and translate the following text into English. Answer the questions below in
English. Check your work with the Answer Key.
Sunana Hama. Daga Nijeriya nike. A Kaduna nike da zama. Ina da babban iyali: mata
guda, yara biyu, kuma da uwayena. Muna zaune a wani babban gida. Matata tana da
shekara 30. An haifeta a ranar 23 ga watan Nuwamba a shekarar 1970. Ita likita ce,
kuma tana da aiki a asibiti. Yaranmu alibai ne. Suna yin karatu a makaranta. An haifi
145
English
Hausa
Greeting
Birth
Haifuwa
Suna
Barka da suna. The naming ceremony takes place six days after
the birth. On this day, the father serves food, and friends and
neighbors come to eat and take part in the prayer. The religious
146
leader says a prayer for the child and pronounces the name of the
child. The parents usually take part in the choosing of the name,
but the choice is sometimes left to the religious leader. In any case,
the name is only official once it is announced in this way.
Marriage
Aure/ Arme
Mutuwa
15. Listen to the following conversation between two people and repeat after the
speakers. Follow along in the workbook, and then answer the questions that follow. Check
your work with the Answer Key.
A. Barka da rana Zabairu! Akwai bikin ranar tuna haifuwa a ranar 6 ga watan Mayu.
Ina gayyatarka ka zo ka kawo mana ziyara, ni da iyalina.
147
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
16. Work with a partner. Invite him or her to your house to celebrate a holiday. Give him
or her directions how to get to your house. Use the dialogue above as a model.
148
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Tell in Hausa the date when:
-
2. Give the names of holidays in Niger and Nigeria and tell when they are celebrated (in
Hausa).
3. Invite your roommate to a Christmas party and give him/her directions how to get
there.
149
Vocabulary List
first
second
third
fourth
fifth
sixth
seventh
eighth
ninth
tenth
eleventh
twelfth
thirteenth
fourteenth
fifteenth
sixteenth
seventeenth
eighteenth
nineteenth
twentieth
twenty-first
twenty-second
twenty-third
twenty-fourth
twenty-fifth
twenty-sixth
twenty-seventh
twenty-eighth
twenty-ninth
one thousand
one thousand (in years)
January
February
March
April
na (ta) aya
na (ta) biyu
na (ta) ukku
na (ta) huu
na (ta) biyar
na (ta) shidda
na (ta) bakwai
na (ta) takwas
na (ta) tara
na (ta) goma
na (ta) goma sha aya
na (ta) goma sha biyu
na (ta) goma sha ukku
na (ta) goma sha huu
na (ta) goma sha biyar
na (ta) goma sha shidda
na (ta) goma sha bakwai
na (ta) goma sha takwas
na (ta) goma sha tara
na (ta) ashirin
na (ta) ashirin da aya
na (ta) ashirin da biyu
na (ta) ashirin da ukku
na (ta) ashirin da huu
na (ta) ashirin da biyar
na (ta) ashirin da shidda
na (ta) ashirin da bakwai
na (ta) ahsirin da takwas
na (ta) ashirin da tara
dubu
alif
Janairu
Febrairu
Maris
Afrilu
150
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Was born
To grow old
Kindness / goodness
To invite
Invitation
How
I will
I should ...
Address
Drive
To follow a road
Two blocks
Turn right
Turn left
Come over
To visit
To pay a visit
Birthday
Birthday party
Wedding
Funeral
Death
Religious holiday
Non-religious holiday
Muezzin (the one who chants the
call to prayer)
Imam (Muslim religious leader)
The Muslim call to prayer
To bring
I want to invite you
Mayu
Yuni
Yuli
Agusta
Satumba
Oktoba
Nuwamba
Disamba
haifa, haife, haifi
tsufa
kirki
gayyata
gayya
yaya/ aa
zan
Ya kamata in ...
adireshi/ lambar gida /masama
tua mota/ tafi
bi hanya
layi biyu/ hanya biyu
yi dama
yi hagu
zo
ziyarta
kawo ziyara
ranar tuna haifuwa
bikin ranar tuna haifuwa
bikin aure (pl., bukukuwan aure)
janaiza
mutuwa
salla (pl., salloli)
ranar hutu
Ladan/ Ladani
Limam/ limami
kiran salla
kawo(wa)
Ina so in gayyace ka
151
Holidays
152
ANSWER KEY
Activity 2
1. ta biyu
2. ta ukku
3. ta huu
4. ta biyar
5. ta shidda
6. ta bakwai
7. ta aya
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seventh
First
Activity 14
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
153
My name is Hama. I am from Nigeria. I live in Kaduna. I have a big family: a wife, two children,
and my parents. We live in a big house. My wife is 30. She was born on November 23, 1970.
She is a doctor and works at the hospital. My children are students. They study at school. My
daughter was born on the April 26, 1992. My son is 8 years old. He was born on the 1st of May,
1996. My mother is very old. She is 78. She was born on the 22nd of November, 1926. My
father is 79. He was born on the 25th of August, 1925. They do not work. They read books, watch
television, or play with our children. I have a wonderful family.
Activity 15
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
154
Lesson 10
Around the House
Cikin Gida
Hausa Houses:
Traditionally, Hausas have lived in several types of mud huts. This is a way of life that remains
largely unchanged to the present day. Although there is now an urban elite in the Hausa culture
that live a more Western lifestyle, the majority of Hausas still live very much as they have for
most of the last millennium. As we have already touched upon in an earlier lesson, the majority
of Hausa people live in either a kago or a shigifa of some sort, and a few live in a soro. These are
all generally characterized by mud brick construction and the use of straw and sticks for roofing.
In modern times, many people have begun to integrate cement and plastic sheeting into these
methods, but the general techniques remain the same. Furnishings are generally quite sparse.
The most ubiquitous pieces of furniture are the grass or plastic woven mat for sitting on the
ground, the bed, and perhaps a chair or two. In a more urban setting, there would also be a
latrine, a few more chairs, perhaps a sofa, curtains, and maybe even an actual bathroom.
Generally, the term gida includes the yard, and the yard is considered part of the living space
rather than separate from the house. When someone refers to your house, they usually mean
everything inside the fence rather than any particular building or set of buildings. In a normal
village household, the equivalent of the living room and dining room would be the area in the
yard where there is a good shade tree to hang out under. The equivalent of the bathroom would
be either the pit latrine or just the open bush outside of the village. Concepts like office and
garage just wouldnt have any meaning. The word floor in Hausa is still the same as the word
for ground, and so it can be awkward to speak of the floor as an object rather than as a place. The
terminology for multistory buildings is also awkward at times because this is also a new concept
for the language. Many devices such as a microwave or a toaster must be described. For instance
rather than saying toaster one would say naura da take gasa burodi (the device that grills
bread). In short, describing modern living situations can seem somewhat unnatural in Hausa. In
the village, however, there is no such problem.
155
Bathroom
Bedroom
Door (the opening/ the place)
Door (the actual object)
Floor
Window
Wall
Roof
Antenna
Office
Basement
Yard
Kitchen (traditional)
Kitchen (modern)
Living room
One-story
Two-story
First floor
Second floor
2. Match the Hausa words in the left column with their English equivalents in the right
column. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1. Makewayi
2. aki
3. ofa
4. asa
5. Taga
6. Falo
7. Ofis
8. Gidan asa
9. Filin Gida
10. Kicin
A.
B.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
J.
K.
L.
Basement
Yard
Living room
Bathroom
Kitchen
Bedroom
Door
Floor
Office
Window
156
Is there water?
Yes, there is.
Its hot. (lit., There is sun.)
No problem.
Do you have one? / Do you have any?
I have one. / I have some.
Its not my concern. (lit., Its not my water.)
I, akwai.
Akwai rana.
Babu laifi. / Ba laifi.
Kana da akwai?
Ina da akwai.
Ba ruwana.
3. Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks from the list of words written in
the box below. Check your work with the Answer Key.
aki
eriya
filin gida
kicin
falo da makewayi
4. Draw a plan of your house and tell your partner, in Hausa, the types of rooms you have
and where they are located. Work in pairs or in small groups.
5. Match the following questions with the correct answers. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
A
Ina makewayi?
B. Ina kicin?
C. Ina aki?
157
<<How Many?>>
We have already introduced the interrogative nawa, which can mean how much or how
many. As with akwai and babu, this word is invariable. It does not change according to gender
or number. Below is a list of some common uses of this word. Words in parentheses are often
left out.
aki nawa (gareku)?
(Akwai) aki nawa?
Nawa ne (kuin)?
Su nawa (ne)?
Akwai su nawa?
Nawa nawa ne?
Akwai mota nawa a garinku.
6. Pretend that you want to buy a house, and your classmate is a real estate agent. Make up
a dialogue using the model below. Work in pairs or in small groups.
Model:
A. I want to buy a two-story house.
A. Ina so in sayi gida mai hayi biyu.
B. There is a nice small house next to the market.
B. Akwai wani aramin gida mai kyau kusa da kasuwa.
A. How many bedrooms does the house have?
A. Wannan gida, yana da aki nawa?
B. It has one bedroom.
B. Yana da aki aya.
A. How many bathrooms are there in the house?
A. Makewayi nawa cikin gida?
B. There is a big wonderful bathroom in the house.
B. Akwai wani babban makewayi na kirki cikin gida.
A. Is there a kitchen in the house?
A. Akwai kicin cikin wannan gida?
B. Yes, there is.
B. I, akwai.
158
7. Familiarize yourself with these terms for furniture and furnishings. Listen and
repeat after the speaker.
Bathtub
Bed
Bookcase
Chair
baho/ wurin
gado
kanta
kujera
Table
Refrigerator
Lamp
Microwave oven
tebur
firji
fitila
naurar zazafa
wanki
abinci
Radio
Carpet
Kitchen sink
Sofa
rediyo
kafet/ darduma
wurin wankin
babbar Kujera
kwanuka
Telephone
Television
Toilet
Mat
tarho
talabijin
salanga
tabarma
159
Curtain
Bench
Stove (traditional)
Cell Phone
labule
banci
murhu
salula
Closet
Stove (modern)
an kabad
kuka
(Niger: resho/
murhun
zamani)
8. Below is a chart with rooms you would find in a typical home. Under each room, list in
Hausa the furniture and furnishings (from the list above) that you would expect to find
there. Some items will be used more than once.
Kicin
Falo
aki
160
Makewayi
9. Using the chart above, ask each other questions, in Hausa, about the furniture in your
rooms.
Model:
1. What do you have in the kitchen?
10. Listen and read along as a speaker talks about his home and then answer the
questions about the passage. Check your work with the Answer Key.
Sunana Suleman. Ina zaune a Kano tare da matata guda da yaranmu biyu. Muna da
wani an aramin gida mai hayi biyu. Ubana shi ma yana zama a gidanmu. Gidan yana
da aki biyu cikin hayin sama, akwai na ubana da kuma na yara. Ni da matata muna
kwana cikin akin da yake kusa da kicin. Muna da makewayi biyu. Muna da kicin babba
inda akwai kuka da wurin wankin kwanuka da firji. Cikin kicin akwai babban tebur inda
muke cin abinci. Ba mu da akin cin abinci. Cikin falo akwai babbar kujera da tebur da
ananan kujeru biyu da kuma aramin talabijin. Da marece bayan an ci abinci ni da
iyalina mukan kallon talabijin.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
161
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Listen to the speaker and circle the terms that you hear. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
bedroom
lamp
toilet
sofa
carpet
chair
garage
bathroom
oven
bathtub
chair
floor
dresser
basement
living room
stove
kitchen sink
bed
window
radio
roof
2. You have a guest in your home. Give him or her answers, in Hausa, to the following
questions.
Where is the bathroom?
Ina makewayi yake?
162
Vocabulary List
Basement
Bathroom
Bathtub
Bed
Bedroom
Bookcase
Chair
Closet
Table
Door (location / opening)
Door (object)
Floor
Kitchen
Kitchen (modern)
Lamp
Living room
Microwave oven
One-story
Oven (modern)
Oven (traditional mud)
Radio
Carpet
Second floor
Sink
Sofa
Stove (modern)
Stove (traditional)
Television
Toaster
Toilet
Two-story
Small chairs
Window
Where (not in questions)
May I please ...
163
On top of ...
The one that ... (m)
The one that ... (f)
The one belonging to ... (m)
The one belonging to ... (f)
a kan ...
wanda ...
wadda ...
na ...
ta ...
164
ANSWER KEY
Activity 2
1. E
2. G
3. H
4. J
5. L
6. D
7. K
8. A
9. B
10. F
Bathroom
Bedroom
Door
Floor
Window
Living room
Office
Basement
Yard
Kitchen
Makewayi
aki
ofa
asa
Taga
Falo
Ofis
Gidan asa
Filin Gida
Kicin
Activity 3
1. Akwai eriya a kan gida.
2. Akwai aki tsakanin ofis da makewayi.
3. Akwai filin gida a gaban gida.
4. Akwai kicin tsakanin falo da makewayi.
Activity 5
A
Ina makewayi?
B. Ina kicin?
C. Ina aki?
Activity 10
My name is Suleman. I live with my wife and two children in Kano. We have a small two-story
house. My father lives with us. The house has two bedrooms on the second floor; one for our two
sons and one for my father. My wife and I sleep in the bedroom near the kitchen. We have two
bathrooms. We have a large kitchen with a stove, oven, sink and refrigerator. In the kitchen
there is a large table where we eat. We do not have a dining room. Our living room has a sofa, a
table, two chairs, and a small television. In the evening after dinner, my family and I watch
television.
165
Sunana Suleman. Ina zaune a Kano tare da matata guda da yaranmu biyu. Muna da
wani an aramin gida mai hayi biyu. Ubana shi ma yana zama a gidanmu. Gidan yana
da aki biyu cikin hayin sama, akwai na ubana da kuma na yara. Ni da matata muna
kwana cikin akin da yake kusa da kicin. Muna da makewayi biyu. Muna da kicin babba
inda akwai kuka da wurin wankin kwanuka da firji. Cikin kicin akwai babban tebur inda
muke cin abinci. Ba mu da akin cin abinci. Cikin falo akwai babbar kujera da tebur da
ananan kujeru biyu da kuma aramin talabijin. Da marece bayan an ci abinci ni da
iyalina mukan kallon talabijin.
a. kano
b. biyar
c. mai hayi biyu
d. ukku
e. aya, miji da mata
f.
biyu
g. cikin kicin
h. kallon talabijin
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
bathroom
lamp
kitchen sink
bed
window
radio
basement
166
Lesson 11
Weather and Seasons
Yanayi da Lokutan Shekara
1. Listen to the weather terms as they are read aloud. Repeat the weather terms after
the speaker.
Rain
Sun
Wind
Ruwan sama
Rana
Iska
Snow
Fog
Clouds
urwa
Hazo
Gizagizai
167
2. Match the pictures with the correct weather term. Check your answers with the Answer
Key.
Iska
Rana
Ruwan sama
urwa
3. What do you hear? Circle the terms you hear spoken by the native speaker. Check
your answers with the Answer Key.
PLAY AUDIO
snow
wind
rain cloud
fog
sun
4. Familiarize yourself with the following terms related to the weather. Pause the
recording as many times as you need. Repeat after the speaker.
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Celsius
Weather
Weather forecast
Weather report
Rainy Season
Dry Season
Hot Season
Harvest Season
It is clear
It is cloudy (light clouds)
It is cloudy (storm clouds)
It is overcast
Windy
Cold
It is freezing
168
Warm
High temperature
It is hot
It is dry (lit., there is no
moisture)
It is sunny
It is rainy
umi, zafi-zafi
Zafi
Akwai zafi
Babu Lema
Akwai rana
Akwai ruwan sama/ ana yin ruwa
Ina zafi?
Zafi, lokacinshi ne.
Zafi, alhamdulilah
Ina lema?
Lema ta yi gyara.
Ina rana?
Akwai rana yau!
Rana tana bugawa!
The climate in Hausaland has also naturally dictated what kind of terminology is common. For
instance, the thermometer is not really an everyday devise in Nigeria or Niger, and thus, terms
like degrees are uncommon. The terms Fahrenheit and Celsius are likewise rarely used in
Hausa, and if so, they are used as borrowed words. Hot and Cold are spoken of in a general
sense, and rarely quantified by reference to a thermometer. Also, snow and freezing are
somewhat foreign to the language. The word for snow is sometimes the same as the word for ice,
and often requires some explanation. However, when it comes to talking about rain and sun and
how people and crops are affected by rain and sun, synonyms abound.
Note that, as is common in Hausa, nouns are used in phrases which would require adjectives in
English. The word akwai (there is) is used in combination with the noun to express the adjectival
concept in a nominal manner. See the examples of this form:
169
It is raining
ruwa)
It is sunny
It is hot
It is muggy/ hot and humid
It is windy
It is cloudy (light white clouds)
It is stormy
It is cold
Akwai rana
Akwai zafi
Akwai gumi
Akwai iska
Akwai gizagizai
Akwai hadari
Akwai sanyi
There are other forms and phrases, however, which do not follow this pattern. See below for a
few examples.
It is overcast
It is raining
It is clear
Gari ya lumshe
Ana (yin) ruwa
Gari ya yi garau
5. Listen to typical questions and responses about the weather. Repeat them after the
speaker.
- How is the weather in December?
- Its cold, and there is no rain.
Akwai sanyi-sanyi.
170
6. Read the following short dialogues on weather and match each one to a picture below.
Check your work with the Answer Key.
1. Yaya yanayi yake yau?
Gari ya lumshe, kuma ana ruwa.
2. Yaya yawan zafi yau?
Akwai rana da zafi sosai. Zafi ya kai awu 44 a maaunin zafi na Celsius!
3. Yaya yanayi yake a can?
Akwai urwa da sanyi sosai.
4. Akwai rana?
Aa, akwai hazo da sanyi.
A #____________
B #_______________
C #_____________
D #_____________
171
7. Work with a partner. Complete the dialogues according to the models in Exercise 5 and
Exercise 6. Use the vocabulary given below.
Akwai
Akwai zafi
rana
Akwai
Akwai gumi
Akwai gizagizai
Akwai sanyi-
Akwai
sanyi
iska
Akwai sanyi
Akwai
hazo
hadari
8. Work with a partner. Put the given words in a correct order so that you can ask a
question and give an answer about the weather in different places. Check your work with
the Answer Key.
Model: a / Moscow / ana yin ruwa / watan Disamba / aa / yin urwa / ana / a
Student 1: Ana yin ruwa a Moscow a watan Disamba?
Student 2: Aa, ana yin urwa a Moscow a watan Disamba.
1) Kano / zafi / a / akwai / I / watan Yuni / a / da / rana
2) Agadas / a / sanyi / watan Nuwamba / akwai / aa / akwai / da / zafi-zafi / a / iska
3) Watan Maris / ruwa / ana / a / I / a / Paris
172
9. Listen to the speaker. Mark the statement that you hear. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A. The cold season is cool and rainy. The hot season is hot and sunny.
B. The hot season is hot and rainy. The cold season is cool and sunny.
C. The hot season is hot and sunny. The cold season is cool and rainy.
10. Familiarize yourself with the following terms related to weather and natural
disasters. Pause the recording as many times as you need. Repeat after the speaker.
Lightning
Waliya
Thunderstorm
Hadari
173
Tornado
Jansami/ Babbar Guguwa
Hurricane
Flood
Ambaliyar ruwa
11. What do you hear? Circle the three terms you hear spoken by the native speaker.
Check your answers with the Answer Key.
PLAY AUDIO
hurricane flood tornado thunderstorm
lightning
12. Answer the questions. Check your work with the Answer Key.
A. Hadari ne?
Aa, .. ce.
B. Ambaliya ce?
Aa ce.
Aa ne.
E. Waliya ce?
Aa ce.
Aa ce.
174
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Listen to the following weather report for four different cities in Nigeria and Niger.
In English, fill in the chart below with the weather and temperature for each city. Pause or
replay the audio if needed. Check your work with the Answer Key.
Play Audio
City
Weather
Temperature
1.
2.
3.
4.
2. Listen to the following weather report and answer the questions below. Check your
work with the Answer Key.
Play Audio
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3. Working in pairs or small groups, describe the pictures. Use the vocabulary youve
learned in this lesson to compose a story to match the pictures. (Include the season of the
year, the name of the month, the type of weather it seems to be, etc).
176
Vocabulary List
Weather
Weather forecast
Weather report
Rain
Sun
Wind
Snow
Fog
Lightning
Thunderstorm
Tornado
Hurricane
It is rainy
It is sunny
It is cloudy
It is freezing
It is clear
Temperature
Fahrenheit
Celsius
It is hot
It is cold
It is warm
Dry
It is overcast
It is windy
Rainy Season (June Sept)
Harvest Season (Sept Nov)
Dry Season (Sept March)
Hot Season (March June)
It is muggy/ hot and humid
High
Low
Here is
Maybe
In regards to
Yanayi
Hasashen yanayi
Rahoton Yanayi
Ruwan sama
Rana
Iska
urwa
Hazo
Walkiya
Hadari
Babbar Guguwa
Guguwar iska mai arfi
Akwai ruwan sama/ ana ruwa
Akwai rana
Gari ya lumshe
Akwai sanyi har ruwa ya daskara
Gari ya yi garau
Awon zafi
Fahrenheit
Celsius
Akwai zafi
Akwai sanyi
Akwai zafi-zafi/ akwai umi
Babu laima
Gari ya lumshe
Akwai iska
Damina
Kaka
Rani
Bazara
Akwai gumi
Tsanani
aranci
Ga
Watakila
Wajen
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To turn out to be
So much so that
Kasance
Har da
178
Answer Key
Activity 2
Iska
Wind
Sun
Rain
Snow
Rana
Ruwan sama
urwa
Activity 3
A. Sun
B. Wind
C. Clouds
Rana
Iska
Gizagizai
Activity 6
A 4
B 1
C 2
D 3
Activity 8
1) Is it hot and sunny in Kano in June? Yes, it is hot and sunny in Kano in June.
2) Is it warm in Agadas in November? No. it is cold and windy.
3) Is it rainy in Paris in March? Yes, it is rainy in Paris in March.
Activity 9
1. B
The weather in September is rainy and warm. -- A watan Satumba akwai ruwan sama
da umi.
2. B
What is the temperature today? It is 35 degrees Fahrenheit. -- Yaya awon zafi yake
yau? Yau ya kai awu 35 a maaunin zafi na Fahrenheit.
3. A
Is it cold in hot season? No, its hot and sunny. -- Akwai sanyi a lokacin azaar? Aa,
akwai zafi da rana.
4. C
What is the weather forecast for tomorrow? Sunny and cold. -- Yaya as ashen yanayi
179
5. C
The hot season is hot and sunny. The cold season is cool and rainy. -- A lokacin bazara
akwai zafi da rana. A lokacin damina akwai sanyi-sanyi da ruwan sama.
Activity 11
thunderstorm
lightning
flood
Hadari
Waliya
Ambaliyar ruwa
Activity 12
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
1.
2.
3.
4.
City
Kano
Agadez
Zinder
Zaria
Weather
Thunderstorms, rain
Overcast, cool, rain
Hot, clear
Sunny, hot, windy
Temperature
44 degrees C
19 degrees
40 degrees
41 degrees
Here is the weather forecast. In the city of Kano, there are thunderstorms and it is raining. The
temperature is 44 Celsius. In the city of Agadez, it is overcast and cool and raining. At noon, the
temperature reached 19 degrees. In Zinder, it is hot and clear. The temperature there is 40
degrees. In Zaria, it is also sunny and hot, and also windy. The temperature is 41 degrees.
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Activity 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Ga rahoton yanayi na Paris a yau Jumaa, ranar 21 ga watan Afrilu. Yau za a yi ruwa,
kuma watakila za a ga hadari da marece. Gobe gari zai lumshe da safe, amma da
marece zai yi garau. Kuma za a yi iska. Wajen awon zafi, karanci zai kai awu 8 kuma
tsananci zai kai awu 18 ta maaunin Celsius. Ran Subdu tsanani zai kai 22 a karfe 3:00
da rana kuma karanci zai kasance 12.
This is the weather report for Paris for Friday the 21st of April. Todays weather will be rainy
with a chance of a thunderstorm this evening. Tomorrows weather will be cloudy in the morning
but sunny in the afternoon. It will also be windy. The low temperature for today will be 8 degrees
Celsius with a high temperature of 18. Saturdays high temperature will be 22 at 3:00 in the
afternoon and the low temperature will be 12 degrees.
181
Lesson 12
Personal Appearance and Clothing
Surar Mutane da Kayan Jiki
1. Look at the pictures below and familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary.
Listen to the descriptions of peoples appearances.
Tall
Short
Heavy
Thin
Young
Old
Dogo (m)
Gajere (m)
Jibgege (m)
Siriri (m)
Matashi (m)
Doguwa (f)
Gajera (f)
Jibgegiya (f)
Siririya (f)
Tsofo (m)
Short
Long
Blond
Red
Gray
Gajere (m)
Dogo (m)
Fari (m)
Ja
Furfura
Gajera (f)
Doguwa (f)
Fara (f)
182
2. Look at the pictures below and listen to the descriptions of peoples appearances.
Describing People
The Hausa people tend to be quite comfortable talking about how people appear and their
differences. Of course, focusing excessively on someones disability or deformity would be rude,
but people do tend to discuss openly their appearance and characteristics. Race, skin color,
hairstyles, clothing, and culture are all up for discussion. Additionally, being heavy is generally
seen in a positive light, and it is not at all taboo to mention someones weight.
Another peculiarity of Hausa is that there are only a few words that specifically refer to a color.
The rest of the colors are referred to by a reference to some other thing that shows the intended
color. These constructs will require different grammatical treatment than the proper color words.
In some cases, the word ruwan is used before this reference to express the concept of water
mixed with ... See the list of color words below.
Proper Colors
Red
Blue
Green
Black
White
Derived Colors
Ja
Yellow
Brown
Shui (Bula)
Tsanwa
Bai
Fari
183
Pink
Gray
Orange
Reduplicating the proper color words can result in what would translate in English to the suffix
ish. Accordingly, Bai-Bai is a blackish color that is not pure black, and fari-fari is whitish or
off-white. You will see further examples in this chapter and upcoming chapters.
Here are some examples of terms referring to age.
Yana tsakar arfinsa.
He is middle-aged.
She is a young woman/ girl. (not yet married)
She is a young woman.
He is a young man.
They are adults. / They are important people.
They are young people.
They are children.
They are elderly people.
He is an old man.
He is old.
Old woman
3. Look at the pictures below and familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary.
Listen to the speaker and repeat as you follow along in the workbook.
Blond hair
Brown hair
Red hair
Gray hair
Curly hair
Straight hair
Farin gashi
Gashi asa-asa
Jan gashi
Furfura
Nannaaen gashi
Miaen gashi
184
asa.
bai-bai.
4. Work with a partner. Look at the pictures and describe each of the people. See if your
partner can correctly identify the body type and their color and style of hair from your
description.
185
5. Look at the pictures below and familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary.
Listen to the speaker and repeat as you follow along in the workbook.
Ear
Nose
Eye
Mouth
Glasses
Beard
Kunne/
Hanci
Ido
Baki
Tabarau
Gemu
kunya
Light Skin
Medium Skin
Farin fata
Dark Skin
Baar fata
6. From the lists above, choose the characteristics and adjectives that are used to
describe each feature. Fill in the chart below in Hausa. Check your answers with the
Answer Key.
Hair
Skin
Height
Frame
Facial Features
7. In each line of text below, cross out the term that does not logically belong. Check
your work with the Answer Key.
Shui
Tsanwa
Siriri
asa-asa
Gajere
Tabarau
Dogo
Matsakaici
Hanci
Gemu
Babba
Idanu
Fari
Furfura
Tsawo
Bai-bai
186
8. Listen to the descriptions of different peoples appearances while you read the
following dialogues. Answer the questions. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1. Wane launi ne gashin Amira ? - Launin gashinta asa-asa ne.
- Gashin Amira dogo ne ko gajere ? - Gajere ne.
- Gashin Amira nannaae ne ko miae? - Mikakke ne.
2. Shaibu yana san tabarau? - Aa, ba ya san tabarau.
- Wane launi ne idanun Shaibu. - Idanunsa shui ne.
3. Ali dogo ne? - Yana da matsakaicin tsawo.
- Shi babba ne, mai iba ? - Aa, shi siriri ne.
Questions:
1. How many people were described?
2. What were their names?
3. What kind of hair does Amira have?
4. Does Shaibu wear glasses?
5. Does Shaibu have brown eyes?
6. Is Ali short and heavy?
9. Familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary on clothing and colors. Listen and
repeat after the speaker.
Black
Gray
Green
Red
Blue
Yellow
White
Reddish Orange
Bai
Toka-toka
Tsanwa
Ja
Shui (Bula)
Rawaya
Fari
Jawa
187
Red Coat
Gray Suit
Brown Pants
Blue Jeans
Jar kwat
Riga da wando,
Wando asa-asa
Jin shui
toka-toka
Headscarf
Brown Sweater
Orange Shirt
Blue T-Shirt
Kallabi
Riga jawa
asa
hannu, bula
Green Skirt
Womans Gown
Mens Robe
Yellow Shorts
Tsanwan buje
Rigar mata
Riga zaleka
Gajeren wando
rawaya
188
Brown Boots
Blue Shoes
Black Hat
Gray Uniform
Kuuttai asa-asa
Kwandran shui
Bain hula
Baar tagiya
Black Socks
White Socks
11. Match each description with the corresponding picture. Fill in the blank with the
correct letter. Note that there could be more than one match. Check your work with the
Answer Key.
1. . tsofuwa ce.
wando, toka-toka
asa.
6. .. uwa ce arama.
189
7. doguwa ce siririya.
ruwan masara.
12. Translate the following descriptions into English. Check your work with the Answer
Key.
1. Amina doguwa ce siririya. Tana da shekara 30. Tana da farin gashi nannaae,
tsanwan idanu, da farar fata.
2. Ali dogo ne babba. Yana da shekara 45. Gashinsa gajere ne kuma ya yi furfura. Yana
da idanu bula kuma farin fata.
3. Soji yana da gajeren gashi bai-bai. Shi gajere ne siriri.
4. Akwai yarinya mai shekara 10. Doguwa ce siririya. Tana da dogon gashi asa-asa,
kuma idanunta ma asa-asa ne. Tana da fata mai wankan tarwaa.
190
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Describe the people you see in the pictures. For each person, include the approximate
age, skin tone, color and length of hair, and what he or she is wearing. Use the model:
2. Come up with a simple description for each of the people listed below. (You may
substitute any individual you wish for those listed.) Be sure to include hair color and
length, approximate height and age, eye color, and skin tone.
Example:
My mother is 63 years old. She is tall and has a medium frame. She has short gray hair and
brown eyes. She has light skin. She wears glasses.
A. Mother
B. Father
C. Co-worker
191
192
Vocabulary List
Average
Beard
Black
Blond
Blue
Blue jeans
Boots
Brown
Color
Curly
Dark
Womans gown
Ears
Eyes
Face
Frame
Glasses
Gray
Green
Hair
Hat
Jacket
Large
Light
Heavy, Fat (person)
Man
Medium
Mouth
Nose
Old
Pants
Red
Shirt
Shoes
193
Short
Skin
Skirt
Small
Straight
Suit
Headscarf
Sweater
To go gray (hair)
Tall
Thin
To wear
Wearing
T-shirt
White
Woman
Yellow
Young
Orange
Reddish orange
Pink
Medium skin color
Big, old, important
He is middle aged.
Appearance (of a person)
Clothing
194
ANSWER KEY
Activity 6
Hair
Skin
Height
Frame
Facial Features
Gajere
Fari
Dogo
Babba
Kunne
Dogo
Mai
Gajere
Siriri,
Hanci
wankan
Siririya
tarwaa
Fari
Bai
Ido
Ja
Baki
Furfura
Tabarau
Gemu
Activity 7
1.
2.
3.
4.
thin
glasses
heavy
height
Siriri
Tabarau
Jibgege/ mai nauyi
Tsawo
Activity 8
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Activity 11
1. D is an old woman.
2. E has blond hair.
3. B has long brown hair.
4. A is wearing a gray suit
5. E is wearing blue pants.
6. C is a young mother.
7. C is tall and thin.
8. C is wearing a yellow dress.
9. B is wearing a blue t-shirt.
10. A is heavy.
195
Activity 12
1.
2.
3.
4.
Amina is tall and thin. She is 30 years old. She has blond curly hair, green eyes, and fair skin.
Ali is tall and heavy. He is 45 years old. He has short gray hair, blue eyes, and light skin.
The soldier has dark short hair. He is short and thin.
There is a young girl who is 10 years old. She is tall and thin. She has long brown hair, brown
eyes, and dark skin.
1. Amina doguwa ce siririya. Tana da shekara 30. Tana da farin gashi nannaae,
tsanwan idanu, da farar fata.
2. Ali dogo ne babba. Yana da shekara 45. Gashinsa gajere ne kuma ya yi furfura. Yana
da idanu bula kuma farin fata.
196
Lesson 13
Transportation
Sufuri
197
Airplane
Bicycle
Ship
Bus
Jirgin sama
Keke
Jirgin ruwa
Bas
Car
Ferry Boat
Helicopter
Mota
Jirgin fito
Motorcycle
Taxi
Train
Truck
Moto, Babur
Tasi
Jirgin asa
Babbar Mota
Ox cart.
Horse
Camel
Donkey
Amalanke
Doki
Raumi
Jaki
Traveling Verbs:
By far, the most important verb to know when it comes to traveling is tafiya (to go/ travel).
This word is used to express to travel, to walk, and to go. The word tua is used to express
to drive with vehicles that you can get inside of. The word hau (to get on) is used to express to
ride on a bicycle or motorcycle, as well as on an animal or as a passenger on an ox-cart.
198
The verb tura (to push) is used to express to drive in the case of an ox-cart. With modes of
travel, a is generally used to express by, and it is sometimes interchangeable with the word
cikin (in). See the examples below:
Ina tafiya a asa zuwa gidan littattafai.
2. Listen to the questions and answers about using different forms of transportation.
Repeat after the speaker as you read along.
How do you go to work? Yaya kake tafiya zuwa wurin aiki?
by car a mota
by bus cikin bas
I go
by train cikin jirgin asa
Ina
by bicycle a keke
tafiya by boat cikin jirgin ruwa
by motorcycle a moto
by truck cikin lori
I take the
Ina
aukan
car mota
bus bas
train jirgin asa
bicycle keke
boat jirgin ruwa
motorcycle moto
truck lori
I walk
Ina
tafiya
a asa
199
3. Read each statement below and match it with the correct picture. Check your work with
the Answer Key.
4. Practice creating complete sentences out of the words below. Use the following model.
Model: who + the verb of motion + mode of transportation + destination
Example: Ina hawan keke zuwa makaranta.
Ina
moto
wana
hawan
zuwa
makaranta
keke
uwayenmu
mota
filin
abokina
wasa
gidan
tua
jirgin asa
tasi
bas
tafiya
jirgin
littattafai
asa
sama
200
Asking Directions:
In the Hausa speaking world, you will rarely encounter any problem in trying to find someone to
give you directions. In fact, people are generally so eager to help that they will give directions
even if they are really not sure; thus, it is usually good to ask people a few times along the way to
confirm your directions. See the exchange below to get an idea of how one asks directions in
Hausa. Pay special attention to how one approaches people in Hausa. This is very important.
Speaker approaches a group of men sitting by the side of the street drinking tea and chatting.
Speaker: Salama alekum.
Men: Amin, alekum asalam.
Speaker: Ina wuninku?
Men: Lafiya lau! Kana lafiya?
Speaker: Lafiya lau wallai!
Men: To madalla.
Speaker: Ya yi kyau To, don Allah, ina gidan waya yake daga nan?
Man: To, gidan waya yana da nisa. Sai ka shiga tasi ka tafi.
Speaker: To, ina zan samu tasi?
Man: Ga taksi nan. Bari in kira direba ku je.
Speaker: To na gode sosai.
Man: Ba laifi.
The greeting salama alekum is used whenever entering a house or approaching a group of
people, anywhere. The response amin, alekum asalam is the standard response. Although
this is technically a Muslim greeting, it has been adopted as a standard part of Hausa propriety.
This formula is considered good manners, and is taught to children from a young age. Foreigners
are accorded a lot of leeway for not knowing to use this greeting, but it makes a very good
impression if you remember. Likewise, it is generally best to exchange a few greetings before
asking for help.
5. Listen to while reading along the following exchanges. Repeat after the speaker.
Gafara dai. Ina so in tafi gidan litattafai. Yaya ake tafiya can daga nan?
A shiga bas mai lamba 14.
To, na gode.
Ba komi.
201
6. Working with a partner, make up similar exchanges. Use the words from Exercise 5 and
the pictures below to choose the destination.
7. Now listen to the dialogues and mark the statements that you hear. Check your
answers with the Answer Key.
1.
2.
A. What bus should I take to the post office? Bus number 18.
B. What street should I take to the post office? 18th Street.
C. What exit should I take to the post office? Exit 18.
3.
202
At a Service Station
8. Familiarize yourself with the following vocabulary. Listen to the speaker and
follow along in your book.
Gas
Gas station
Diesel
Oil
Tires
Air
Water
Flat tire
To wash a car
Mai, fetur
Gidan mai
Note that the word mai can be used to indicate either gas or oil in a general sense. Remember not
to use the logical bain mai (black oil) to distinguish oil from gas, as this term generally refers
to thick engine grease for lubricating moving parts.
203
Measurement:
Niger and Nigeria use the metric system for all measurements. However, it is still useful to at
least be able to recognize the English measurement terms as well. See below a list of some of the
most common terms.
Kilometer
Mile
Meter
Foot
Yard
Gallon
Liter
Kilogram
Gram
Pound
Ounce
Kilomita
Mil
Mita
afa
Yadi
Galan
Lita
Kilo
Giram
Laba
Oza
In the Hausa marketplace, however, you will also need to know some otherand generally more
abstractterms of measurement. Review Chapter 7 for some of these terms.
1 gallon = 3.785 liters
1 quart = .946 liters
1 liter = 2.1 pints
10 liters = 2.63 gallons
9. Listen to the people at a service station and find out what each needs. Circle the
English equivalents of the terms you hear. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
A.
Air
Gas
Diesel
Tires
Oil
Car Wash
B.
Air
Gas
Diesel
Tires
Oil
Car Wash
C.
Air
Gas
Diesel
Tires
Oil
Car Wash
D.
Air
Gas
Diesel
Tires
Oil
Car Wash
204
Hanya
Babbar Hanya
Layi
Titi
Reluwe, hanyar jirgin asa
205
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Explain how you would get to the following places using various modes of
transportation. Try to make your story interesting and include as many details as you
can.
2. Listen and write down the responses to the questions below. Check your work with
the Answer Key.
A. Ba ni da mai. Ina gidan mai yake?
--_________________________________.
B. Ina da matsala wajen tayar motata. Mi ya kamata in yi?
-______________________________.
C. Nawa ne kuin litar na mai ?
- _______________________________.
D. Lita nawa kake so?
- _______________________________.
206
Vocabulary List
Air
Airplane
Bicycle
Boat
Bus
Car
Concert
Diesel
Ferry boat
Gallon
Gas
Iska
Helicopter
Highway
Library
Liter
Small city street
Motorcycle
Oil
Railroad
Service station
School
Ship
Taxi
Station worker / manager
Assistant (in bush taxi)
Take (taxi, bus, etc...)
Take / get on (motorcycle,
bike, car, etc)
Morning
Drive
Very well!
Call
Driver
Very much
Mai, fetur (mai is the more general term used, while fetur is more
specific)
Babbar hanya, manyan hanyoyi (pl.)
Gidan Littattafai, Gidajen littattafai (pl.)
Lita
Titi, tituna (pl.)/ rariya
Babur, Baburori (pl.)/ Moto (niger)
Mai, man fetur
Reluwe, Hanyar jirgin asa
Gidan mai, Gidajen mai (pl.)
Makaranta, Makarantu (pl.)
Jirgin ruwa, Jiragen ruwa (pl.)
Tasi, Taksi
an kamasho
Karen mota
Shiga
Hau, Hawa
Safe, safiya
Tua, Tui
Lafiya lau wallahi !
Kira
Direba, Direbobi (pl.)/ matui
Sosai
207
Tire/tires
Train
Truck
Water
Work
Ox Cart
Horse
Camel
Donkey
Workplace
Taxi Driver
To push (or drive an ox-cart)
208
ANSWER KEY
Activity 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Activity 7
1. A. Do you take a taxi to the concert? No, I take my car. -- Kuna shiga tasi in za ku
tafi wasa? Aa ina tafiya cikin motata.
2. B. What street should I take to the post office? 18th Street. -- Wace hanya ya kamata
in bi in tafi gidan waya? Hanya ta 18.
3. C. My parents drive their cars to work, but we take the train. -- Uwayena suna tafiya
wurin aiki cikin motocinsu, amma muna shigan jirgin asa.
Activity 9
A.
B.
C.
D.
Air
Gas Oil
Gas Car Wash
Diesel Oil
209
210
Lesson 14
Travel
Tafiya
Buying Tickets:
Buying tickets for trains and buses in Niger and Nigeria is usually a simple matter of going to the
ticket window and buying a ticket. However, this only applies to the more formal train and bus
lines. Bush taxis can be a little more complicated. In some cases there is a ticket window where
you are supposed to purchase tickets, but in other cases you must figure out whether you need to
pay the driver or another person who is taking money for the driver. Bush taxis do not really have
a first and second class, but the front seat can carry a premium.
Note that when buying something in Hausa, it is normal to be quite direct. Rather than to say,
I would like or Could I please have as we do in English, it is normal in Hausa to
simply say, Give me You will see many examples of this in these lessons. Below are a
few of the most common ways to ask for something that you want to buy.
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Ba ni guda.
Give me one.
I need millet.
Pour some for me. (with something that is
measured out)
I need to buy a shirt.
Cut me off 150 CFA of meat.
How many do you want?
I want three.
Give me one ticket.
Get in the front seat.
1. Listen to the following dialogue about buying a ticket at a train station while reading
along in the workbook.
Soldier:
Soji
Ticket Seller:
Mi zan ba ka?
Soldier:
Soji
Ticket Seller:
Soldier:
Today.
Soji
Yau.
Ticket Seller:
One-way or roundtrip?
Soldier:
Roundtrip.
Soji
Zuwa da dawowa.
Ticket Seller:
Soldier:
Soji
Gama-gari
Ticket Seller:
Yaushe za ka dawo.
Soldier:
Friday.
Soji
Ran Jumaa
Ticket Seller:
Soldier:
Afternoon.
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Soji
Da rana.
Ticket Seller:
Twenty-two dollars, please. The next train leaves in one hour from
platform number 5.
To, kuinsa jika tara. Jirgi mafi kusa zai tashi bayan awa aya
daga wurin shiga jirgi mai lamba 5.
Soldier:
Soji
Ticket Seller:
76
Sabain da shidda.
Soldier:
Soji
Ticket Seller:
Hau!
Ka shiga mota.
Ina hawan keke.
Zan shiga jirgin asa in tafi.
Jirgi ya iso.
Jirgin sama yana isowa yanzu.
Yaushe mota za ta tashi?
Yaushe mota za ta zo?
Nawa ne kuin mota?
Ka biya kuin mota.
2. Read the dialogue with a partner. Take turns being the ticket seller and the soldier.
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3. Role-play the dialogue. You can substitute the name of a city where you need to buy a ticket to,
the time and day of arriving and departing, and the price of the ticket.
The Simple Future Tense:
We have already seen many examples of the future tense in this lesson. Now we will provide a
complete explanation of this tense and its conjugation. See below the conjugation of the future tense
pronoun.
I will
You will (masc.)
You will (fem.)
He will
She will
One will
We will
You will (pl.)
They will
Za ni / Zan
Za ka
Za ki
Za ya / Za shi / Zai
Za ta
Za a
Za mu
Za ku
Za su
Now see the following examples of the future tense in use. It is relatively straightforward.
I will come home.
They will eat.
Note also that future pronouns can be used without a verb to imply the verb to go. See the following
examples of the use of this alternate form.
Where are you going?
I am going to the market.
Ina za ka?
Kasuwa za ni.
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I will
You will (masc.)
You will (fem.)
He will
She will
One will
We will
You will (pl.)
They will
Na
Ka
Kin/ kya
Ya
Ta
A
Mun/ ma
Kun/ kwa
Sun/ sa
Attention, travelers! The next local train will arrive at platform 10 in 5 minutes.
Masu tafiya, a saurara! Jirgin daddawa mafi kusa zai iso wurin shiga jirgi mai lamba 10
bayan minti 5.
Attention, travelers! Flight number 92 from Kano will be one hour late. Please check the screen
for updates.
Masu tafiya, a saurara! Jirgi mai lamba 92 daga Kano zai makara da awa guda. A duba
allo na bidiyo don samun arin bayyani.
Attention, travelers! The bus from Abuja will arrive at platform 3 in 10 minutes.
Masu tafiya, a saurara! Bas daga Abuja zai iso wurin shiga jirgi mai lamba 3 bayan
minti 10.
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5. Match each picture with the correct Hausa term by writing the term below the correct picture.
Check your work with the Answer Key.
A__________
D__________
B__________
E__________
G__________
H__________
Fasinjoji
Kaya
Wurin shiga jirgi
Takardar tsari
Tikiti
Wurin saida tikitoci
Wurin jira
ofa
216
C__________
F__________
Necessity:
There are several ways of expressing must, have to, should, and similar concepts in Hausa.
Ina bukata in tafi.
I need to go.
I should go.
I must go.
I must go.
Should I go?
You should rest.
Ya kamata in tafi.
Dole ne in tafi.
Tilas ne in tafi.
In tafi?
Sai ka huta.
In this category of words, special attention should be paid to ya kamata. This is a fixed construct that
precedes a sentence, and it is especially common. Thus, the literal translation of ya kamata in tafi would
run something like It should be that I go. Also note that the word sai, in addition to its other uses, can
imply should.
The subjunctive in Hausa:
The above examples provide us with an ideal segue to a discussion of the Hausa subjunctive. While the
subjunctive in used relatively little in modern English, it is very important in Hausa. The subjunctive is
used in all of the above examples, and it is also used to form the imperative and several other types of
phrases. Without getting into an exhaustive grammar lesson, we will go over a few important functions
of the subjunctive in Hausa. First of all, look over the following conjugation chart for the subjunctive
pronoun in Hausa.
I
You (masc.)
You (fem.)
You (pl.)
He
She
They
We
In
Ka
Ki
Ku
Ya
Ta
Su
Mu
Note that with the exception of the first person singular, these are spelled like other conjugations that
we have already seen in this book. Note also, however, that there is a tonal/tone length difference that
distinguishes them as subjective. You will become accustomed to this difference as you go along. For
now, it will suffice to say that the subjunctive pronouns have a short low tone.
We have already seen how the subjunctive is used with certain terms in the preceding section. Now,
we will look at how the subjunctive is used to form the imperative. The imperative is formed by simply
placing the subjunctive pronoun before the verb. The pronoun can also be omitted, but the implication
remains. See the following examples.
217
Ka tafi!
Ki yi hankali!
Another rather unique feature of the Hausa language is that when the imperative construct is stated as
a question, the meaning becomes much like a question beginning with should in English. Remember
that in this case, the pronoun cannot be omitted. See the following examples:
Should I go?
Should we stop?
In tafi?
Mu tsaya?
The subjunctive is also used to express what in English would be expressed using the word to; an
example would be a sentence that uses the English infinitive, such as Do you want to go? In Hausa,
this sentence would be expressed as Kana so ka tafi? (You want you go?). In this sentence, the verb
conjugated in the subjunctive is used to express what would be expressed by the infinitive (to go) in
English. In grammatical terms, this is somewhat confusing, but it should be fairly clear in the below
examples.
English
Do you want (yourself) to go?
Do you want (us) to go?
I want to buy this.
Hausa
Kana so ka tafi?
Kana so mu tafi?
Ina so in sayi wannan.
Literal translation
You want you go?
You want we go?
I want I buy this.
You have to wait for your luggage at the baggage claim area.
Dole ne ka jira kayanka a wurin amsar kaya.
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7. Fill in the blanks with the correct term from the list below. Check your answers with the
Answer Key.
Listen!
Baggage claim area
Express
First class
Platform
Schedule
Second class
Ticket window
Gate
A saurara!
Wurin amsar kaya
Ujila
Faskila
Wurin shiga jirgi
Takardar tsari
Gama-gari
Wurin saida tikitoci
ofa
8. For each question below, there is a corresponding answer. Match them by writing the letter of
each question on the blank line in front of the appropriate answer. Check your answers with
the Answer Key.
A. Ina za ni iya yankan tikitin jirgin
1. ________ I, sannu.
daddawa?
B. Bas mafi kusa zuwa Kano, yaushe
zai tashi?
Kaduna?
219
9. Role-play the short dialogues from Exercise 8. Change the cities and numbers.
10. What do you hear? Listen to the speaker and determine which statement is spoken.
Check your work with the Answer Ky.
1. A You must have a ticket to board the bus.
B You must have a ticket to board the ferry.
2. A I need a first-class roundtrip ticket to Niamey.
B I need a first-class one-way ticket to Niamey.
3. A. The next express train will depart from platform 15 in 10 minutes.
B The next local train will depart from platform 15 in 10 minutes.
Iyaka
Kwastan, Duwan (Niger)
Wurin duba motoci
Wurin tsai da motoci
Fasfo
Lasin tui
Takardu
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Papers
ID card
Show me
Give me
Search
Inspect
Inspection
Trunk (of a car)
Proceed
Rental (car)
Citizen
Takardu
Katin shaida
Nuna mini
Ba ni
Caje
Duba
Duba
But, Kyas (Niger)
Ci gaba
Motar haya
an asa
12. At roadblocks and border crossings, officials usually ask questions about driver
identification and vehicle documents. Try to match the Hausa border
crossing requests and questions with their English equivalents. Check your work
with the Answer Key.
1. Nuna mini takardun motarka.
2. Ba ni fasfonka.
5. Ba ni lasin tuinka.
13. Listen to and read the following dialogue at a border crossing, and then
answer the questions below. Try to guess the meaning of unknown words from
the context. Check your work with the Answer Key.
221
Maaikacin kwastan
Direba
To.
Maaikaci
Direba
I.
Maaikaci
Direba
Maaikaci
Ina za ka?
Direba
amai za ni.
Maaikaci
Direba
Kwana goma.
Maaikaci
Mi za ka yi can?
Direba
Maaikaci
Direba
To.
Maaikaci
14. Work with a partner. Take turns role-playing the Customs Official and the Car Driver.
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End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Translate the following sentences into English. Check your work with the Answer Key.
A. Ina bukata in yanki tikitin tafiya da dawowa zuwa Kaduna.
Zan tashi a rana 12 ga watan Nuwamba kuma zan dawo a rana 3 ga watan Disamba.
Ina so wurin zama da yake dab da taga.
B. Wannan jirgin ujila ne?
C. Daga wace tasha bas mai zuwa Kaduna yake tashi.
D. Jirgi mai lamba 34 zai tashi daga wurin shiga jirgi mai lamba 3 bayan minti 5.
2. Work with a partner or in a small group. Look at the pictures and come up with
a story. Do you think these people are arriving or departing? Do you think they are
on time? Is their flight late? Mention their name, age, profession, what they are wearing,
and where and why they need to fly or where they are arriving from. Also, tell how they
got to the airport (by car, by bus, by train).
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Vocabulary List
Arriving/Arrivals
Attention! (listen)
Travelers
Baggage
Border
Bus station
Checkpoint
Citizen
Customs
Delay/ed
Departing/Departures
Documents
Drivers license
Express
First class
Flight
Fly
Give me
ID card
Inspect
Inspection
Inspector
To be late
One-way
On-time
Papers
Passenger
Passport
Platform
Proceed
Rental car
Roadblock
Roundtrip
Schedule
Large video screen
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Second class
Show me .
Drivers assistant
Local train
Ticket
The next
Ticket window
To buy a ticket
To board, get in
To board, get on
To leave, set out, depart
To return/come back
To pay
To accept / receive
Baggage Claim
To visit
Taxi fare
Fare for train / plane / bus
To arrive (somewhere else)
To arrive (where you are)
To rest
Why?
Train station
Trunk (of a car)
Waiting area
Window seat
Gama-gari
Nuna mini
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ANSWER KEY
Activity 5
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Schedule
Ticket Window
Platform
Ticket
Passengers
Baggage
Gate
Waiting area
Takardar tsari
Wurin saida tikitoci
Wurin shiga jirgi
Tikiti
Fasinjoji
Kaya
ofa
Wurin jira
Activity 7
A. Wurin saida tikitoci
B. Wurin amsar kaya
C. A saurara!
D. Takardar tsari
E. Ujila
F. Wurin shiga jirgi
G. ofa
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Activity 8
1. D. Do you want a window seat? Yes, please
2. B. When is the next bus to Kano? The next bus to Kano departs in 20 minutes.
3. A. Where can I buy a local train ticket? At the ticket window next to platform one.
4. E. At which platform is the express train from Kano arriving? That train will arrive at platform 16 in
ten minutes.
5. C. How much is a first class ticket to Kaduna. It is 64 dollars.
1. ________ I, sannu.
zai tashi?
daddawa?
Kaduna?
Activity 10
1. A You must have a ticket to board the bus.
A. Dole ne kana da tikiti in za ka shiga bas.
Activity 12
1. Nuna mini takardun motarka.
2. Ba ni fasfonka.
227
5. Ba ni lasin tuinka.
Activity 13
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Direba
To.
Maaikaci
Direba
I.
Maaikaci
Direba
Maaikaci
Ina za ka?
Direba
amai za ni.
Maaikaci
Direba
Kwana goma.
Maaikaci
Mi za ka yi can?
Direba
Maaikaci
Direba
To.
Maaikaci
228
229
Lesson 15
At School
A Makaranta
Education
The educational systems in Niger and Nigeria reflect two different colonial pasts. While
education in Nigeria is based upon the English system of education that was inherited from
England during colonial rule, education in Niger is based upon the French system. The border
between Niger and Nigeria was once the border between French West Africa and English West
Africa. In Niger, all education continues to be conducted in French, while in Nigeria it is in
English. All of the terminology is different, as are the texts used and the methods employed. In
Nigeria, the school year runs January through December. There are three quarters, with a one
month break between each. English is the language of instruction, although some local languages
are taught. Uniforms are required. For those who go on to university, there are a number of
230
1. Familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary. Listen to the speaker and read the
following text under each of the pictures.
domin ta yi tambaya.
alibai lissafi.
231
kimiyyar harhaa
karanta littafi.
magunguna a makaranta.
aji.
There is a book, a
notebook, and a calculator.
biruna da fensirori.
aji.
2. Work with a partner. Look around the classroom. Name the items you see.
Class
Desk
Chair
Blackboard
Chalk
Pen
Pencil
Notebook
Computer
Printer
Aji
Teburin rubutu
Kujera
Babban allo
Alli
Biro
Fesur
Littafin rubutu
Naura mai wawalwa
Mai buga takardu
232
Tafintar kwanfyuta
Keyboard
Monitor
Teacher
Student
Allon Kwanfyuta
Malami (m.), Malama (f.)
alibi (m.), aliba (f.)
3. Working with a partner, name the items you bring with you to class and the items
found in your classroom.
Babban Allo
Gulob
LIttafi
Naurar lissafi
Kasat
4. Listen to the dialogue while you read along in the workbook. Underline the new
vocabulary.
What is your name?
My name is Salisu.
Yaya sunanka?
Sunana Salisu.
I am 16 years old.
I am in 10th grade.
233
Mi za ka yi bayan makaranta?
makaranta?
da kii.
5. Read along while listening to some of the new words you might have underlined in
Exercise 4.
Grade
Subject
My favorite
Math
Biology
Music
Literature
History
College
Like
Listen to
Aji
Fanni
Wanda na fi so
Lissafi
Ilimin halittu
Waa da kii
Adabi
Tarihi
Jamia
So
Saurara
English
Math is harder than Literature.
I prefer this one.
This one is the best.
Hausa
Lissafi ya fi Adabi wuya.
Na fi son wannan.
Wannan shi ne wanda ya fi.
Na fi ka tsawo.
Literal Translation
Math exceeds literature in
difficulty.
I exceed in liking this one.
This one is the one that
exceeds.
Studying exceeds farming in
difficulty.
I exceed you in height.
Note that generally speaking, the past tense is used in these sentences, even when it is placed in
the present. You should also be able to recognize the word mafi (the most ), which is a
conjunction of the prefix ma- (the owner of, that which) and fi. Note that if what is being
described is feminine, mafi becomes mafiya. Here are a few examples.
English
The kindest person
The longest road
The most expensive
Hausa
Mutum mafi kirki
Hanya mafiya tsawo
Mafi tsada
Hausa
Ina jin dain wannan kii.
Ta burge ni sosai!
Literal Translation
I feel the goodness of this
music.
She impressed me a lot!
6. Work with a partner. Make up a dialogue similar to the one in Exercise 4. List your
favorite subjects, say how good you think you are at each of them, tell what profession you
are going to choose, and say what you like to do after school.
235
7. Familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary. Listen to the speaker as you go over
the dialogue.
A. Listen to the recording and take notes.
A. A saurara magana kuma a rubuta abubuwan lura da ke ciki.
8. Role-play s a teacher. Have the students follow your directions. Use the expressions from
Exercise 7.
9. Listen to the following questions and mark the answers that you hear. Check your
answers with the Answer Key.
1. Mi kake yi a makaranta?
A. I am in 5th grade.
B. I am in 6th grade.
C. I am in 8th grade.
A. English
B. Geography
C. Science
236
10. Work with a partner and make up similar dialogues using expressions from Exercise 9.
11. Work in small groups and describe the following pictures. Come up with ages for the
students and the teacher, their names, the subjects they study/teach, what theyre doing
right now, what they are wearing, if they seem to like their class and their teacher, etc.
12. Listen to and read the following text about the students schedule, and then
answer the questions below. The new word busy is introduced in the text. Try to guess
this and other new words from the context. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
Sunana Aminatu Ayuba. Ni aliba ce a Jamiar Kaduna. Ina karatun Inglishi. Ina so in
zama tafinta. Kullum ina da ayyuka dayawa. Ranaikun Litinin da Laraba da Jumaa nikan
tashi zuwa makaranta a arfe takwas da safe. In na sauka daga makaranta, a arfe
huu da marece, ina tafiya aiki. Ina aiki kamar sabis a wani gidan abinci. Bayan na
sauka daga aiki a arfe goma da dare, sai na koma gida. Ranaikun Talata da Alhamis
ina tafiya makaranta a arfe 10 da safe. Bayan makaranta, a arfe 12 ina tafiya gidan
littattafai. Ina yin karatu a gidan littattafai awa ukku da rana. Ina yin aikin gida da safe
kuma a arshen mako, watau Asabar da Lahadi.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
237
F. What job does she have and when does she work?
G. When does the student do homework?
H. What does the student want to do after finishing school?
238
End-of-Leson Tasks
1. Go over the text from Exercise 12 again. Tell the class about your schedule. Use the
questions after the text as an outline for your story.
2. Look at the pictures and tell a story about what you see. Include the grade the students
are in, the subjects they are studying, what the teacher is doing, what the students and
teachers are wearing, and so on.
239
3. Read and compare the following texts and find the errors in the English translations.
Make corrections so that the translation is accurate. Check your work with the Answer
Key.
1. A. Sunana Ali Isaka. Daga Kano nike, amma yanzu ina zama a Kaduna. Ina cikin aji
na 6 a makaranta. Ina da abokai dayawa. Ina son harshen Inglishi da karatu da kuma
wasan wallon kwando.
B. My name is Ali Isaka. Im from Kano, but now I live in Kaduna. Im in fifth grade.
I have many friends. I like music, reading, and basketball.
2. A. Sunana Yau Muhammadu. Daga Matamai nike, amma ina zama a amai. Ina son
koyon lissafi da kimiyya.
240
Vocabulary List
Art
Artist (painting / drawing)
Basketball
Biology
Blackboard
I am busy
Affair, Business
Chair
Chalk
Chemistry
Class
College/University
Computer
Fasahar zane-zane
Mai zane
Wasan wallon kwando
Ilimin halittu
Babban allo, Manyan alluna (pl.)
Ina harkoki, ina cikin aiki
Harka, Harkoki (pl.)
Kujera, Kujeru (pl.)
Alli, Farin Kasa
Kimiyyar harhaa magunguna
Aji, Azuzuwa (pl.), Kilas
Jamia, Jamioi (pl.)
Naura mai wawalwa, Naurori masu
wawalwa (pl.), Kwamfyuta
Desk
Globe
Elementary School
English
Grade
High School
Secular / Western
education
History
Homework
Literature
Math
Middle School
Music
Photo
Notebook
Pen
Pencil
Photography
241
Reading
Student
Subject(s)
Tape recorder
Teacher
To like
To read
Reading
To study
To write
Letter (of alphabet)
Number
To exceed
I like
To impress / To make a
good impression
To prefer
Good
I can / I am good at
When (not in questions)
To become
As (I worked as a reporter)
Which (questions)
Listen to the recording and
take notes.
Karatu
alibi (m.), aliba (f.), alibai (pl.)
Fanni, Fannoni (pl.)
Rakoda, Rakododi (pl.)
Malami (m.), Malama (f.), Malamai (pl.)
So, Son
Karanta
Karatu
Karanta, Yin karatu
Rubuta
Bai, Baae (pl.)
Lamba, Lambobi (pl.)
Fi
Ina jin dain
Burge
Fi so
Kyakaywa
Na iya
In
Zama
Kamar
Wane (m.), Wace (f.), Waanne (pl.)
Sauraren nai (sautin da ake ji daga rakoda)
kuma rubuta dukan abubuwan lura da ke
ciki.
Ajiye fensirorinku
Rubuta amsoshinka a allo.
Bue littattafanku.
aga hannunka!
Rubuta aikinka na gida.
Wato, Watau
242
Answer Key
Activity 9
1. Mi kake yi a makaranta? C. Ina karatun fannoni daban daban.
3. Waanne fannoni kake karatu? A. Lissafi, Hausa, kimiyya, labarin asa, da Inglishi.
3. What subjects are you studying? A. Math, Hausa, science, geography, and English.
4. Wane fanni ka fi so? B. Labarin asa.
5. Are you a good student? C. Im very good at chemistry, but Im bad at math.
Activity 12
A. What is the students name?
Her name is Aminatu Ayuba.
B. Where does she go to school?
She goes to Kaduna University.
C. What does she study?
She studies English.
D. What is her school schedule on Monday, Wednesday and Friday?
She goes to school from 8:00am until 4:00pm.
E. What is her schedule on Tuesday and Thursday?
She goes to class at 10am then at 12:00 she goes to the library to study for three hours.
F. What job does she have and when does she work?
She works as a waitress in a restaurant from 4:00 to 10:00pm on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday.
G. When does the student do homework?
She does homework on weekends and in the mornings.
H. What does the student want to do after finishing school?
She wants to be an interpreter.
My name is Aminatu Ayuba. I am a student at Kaduna University. I study English. I want to be
an interpreter. I have a busy schedule. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I go to school at
8:00. After school, at 4:00pm, I go to work. I work at a restaurant as a waitress. After work, at 10
pm, I go home. On Tuesday and Thursday, I go to class at 10am. After school, at 12:00, I go to
the library. I study at the library for three hours in the afternoon. I do my homework in the
mornings and on the weekends, that is, Saturdays and Sundays.
243
Sunana Aminatu Ayuba. Ni aliba ce a Jamiar Kaduna. Ina karatun Inglishi. Ina so in
zama tafinta. Kullum ina da ayyuka dayawa. Ranaikun Litinin da Laraba da Jumaa nikan
tashi zuwa makaranta a arfe takwas da safe. In na sauka daga makaranta, a arfe
huu da marece, ina tafiya aiki. Ina aiki kamar sabis a wani gidan abinci. Bayan na
sauka daga aiki a arfe goma da dare, sai na koma gida. Ranaikun Talata da Alhamis
ina tafiya makaranta a arfe 10 da safe. Bayan makaranta, a arfe 12 ina tafiya gidan
littattafai. Ina yin karatu a gidan littattafai awa ukku da rana. Ina yin aikin gida da safe
kuma a arshen mako, watau Asabar da Lahadi.
2. 2. A. Sunana Yau Muhammadu. Daga Matamai nike, amma ina zama a amai.
Ina son koyon lissafi da kimiyya.
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Lesson 16
Recreation and Leisure
Wasa da Shaatawa
shaata.
Abokiyata Sandy
takan yi gudu
ya shaata.
shaata.
ta sauka daga
karatu.
245
Wannan saurayi
ya shaata.
bazara.
Kullum da marece
wannan namiji da
matarsa suna yin
yawo.
yin waa.
246
2. Now listen to the speaker. Check to see if your guesses were correct. Repeat the
new words as many times as you need to feel comfortable with the pronunciation.
Play
Cards
To ski
Hobby
To dance
Tennis
Tennis Court
Play piano
Musician
To take photos
Photographer
To play guitar
To sing
Songs
Chess
To walk
To swim
Swimming pool
To run
To wrestle (traditional)
Soccer
To paint
To play the garaya
To box (traditional)
To play the talking drum
To play dara
Yi wasa
Karta
Yi gudun urwa/ gudun anara
Abin da ake yi domin a shaata
Yi rawa
Wasan tanis
Filin tanis
Kia biyano
Makai (m.), Makaiya (f.)
auki hotuna / aukar hotuna
Mai aukar hoto
Kia garaya
Yi waa
Waoi
Dara / Shaaranji
Yi yawo
Yi iyo
Wurin wanka
Gudu
Yi kokowa
Wasan wallon afa
Yi zane-zane
Kia garaya
Yi dambe
Kia kalangu
Yi wasan dara
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3. Mi take yi yau?
4. Ka iya shaaranji?
A. I, na iya shaaranji.
Ka iya garaya?
Ka iya biyano?
C. I na iya biyano.
5. Work with a partner or in a small group. Make up exchanges using the models and
phrases from Exercise 3.
6. Reconstruct the questions in Hausa. Check your work with the Answer Key.
A. - .?
- I, na iya shaaranji.
B. - .?
- I, na iya garaya.
C. -?
- Ina yin gudu da aukar hotuna domin in shaata.
248
D. - ?
- Yana yin wallon afa da kokowa.
E. - ?
- Ina yin karatu da iyo domin in shaata.
F. - .?
- Tana son yin yawo da kian garaya.
7. Read and translate the following text, noting the new vocabulary. Do you understand
all the words in bold? Check the grammar note for some explanations. Check the
Answer Key for an English translation.
Grammar Notes
In the following text, take special note of the following words and how they are used: kuma,
zuwa, ma. Kuma generally translates as also or sometimes and. There are some cases in
which the difference between kuma and da is subtle, as you will see in the examples below.
Kuma also has many other uses that change its meaning. Ma translates as too. Here are some
examples:
Sunana Amadu Yahayya. Daga Magarya nike a Nijar. Ina yin karatu a Jamiar Amadu
Bello a Kano, Nijeriya. Kullum ina da harkoki dayawa, ga karatu ga wasanni. Ina koyon
ilimin kwamfiyuta kuma ina cikin tim in wallon afa na Jamia. Ina da azuzuwa daga
arfe 8:30 da safe zuwa arfe 3:00 da rana. Bayan haka muna yin faratis in wallon
afa kowacce rana daga arfe 4:00 zuwa 6:00 da marece. Ina jin dain yin wasan
wallon afa. A arshen mako ma ni da Abokaina mukan yi wallon afa. Ina kuma son
yin iyo da kain garayar bature, wato gitar. Ban iya gitar sosai ba. Wannan arshen sati
abokaina da ni za mu tafi wani wasa da ake yi a filin wasan Zinder, cikin Nijar. Mawai
duk da muka fi so shi zai yi waa. Bayan wasa za mu tafi gidan abinci mu ci abincin
dare.
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8. Now read the text as many times as you want and mark the following statements as
either True or False. Check your work with the Answer Key.
9. Work with a partner or in a small group and make up a description of a busy schedule.
Use the statements from Exercise 8 as an outline for your story. The pictures given
below can help you choose the activities to describe.
250
10. Listen to the vocabulary as you look at the pictures. Try to match the Hausa
words with the pictures. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
251
Wurin waha
Filin wasa
Filin tanis
Dandali
akin motsa jiki
Hanya
11. Read the statements below and think about their meanings. Cross out the words or
phrases that do not make sense and replace them with an appropriate word from
the list below. Check your work with the Answer Key.
Gymnasium
Stadium
Filin wasa
tennis courts
Village square
Filin tanis
Dandali
playing field
swimming pool
Filin wasa
Wurin waha
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12. Listen to the statements and mark the ones that you hear. Check your answers
with the Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
13. Work with a partner. Look at the pictures and make up dialogues about someones
hobbies. Use the models and phrases from Exercise 12.
253
254
End-of-Lesson Tasks.
1. Answer the following questions in Hausa.
A. What is your favorite sport or recreational activity?
B. How often do you participate in your activity?
C. What is your favorite hobby?
D. What did you do last weekend?
E. What will you do next weekend?
2. Work with a partner or in a small group. In Hausa, describe the pictures below,
using the vocabulary you have learned in this lesson.
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Vocabulary List
Cards
Chess
Computer science
Gymnasium
Hobby
Paint pictures
Playing field
To dance
To play chess
To play dara
To play cards
To play soccer
To play guitar (traditional)
Guitar (western)
Drum
To play piano
To wrestle (traditional)
To box (traditional)
To run
To sing
To ski
To swim
To take pictures
Soccer field
Song
Stadium
Swimming pool
Tennis
Tennis court
Town square
Talking Drum
While (at the same time)
Our favorite singer
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Team
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ANSWER KEY
Activity 6
A. - Kana yin shaaranji?
- I, na iya shaaranji.
B. Ka iya biyano?
- I, na iya garaya.
Activity 7
My name is Amadu Yahaya. I am from Magaria. I go to college at Amadu Bello University in
Kano, Nigeria. I am very busy with my classes and my hobbies. I study computer science, and I
play on the university soccer team. I have class every day from 8:30 to 3:00 in the afternoon.
After school I have soccer practice every day from 4:00 to 6:00. I like to play soccer. My
friends and I play on the weekends too. I also like to swim and to play the guitar. Im not very
good at the guitar. This weekend my friends and I will go to a concert at the stadium in Zinder,
Niger. Our favorite singer will sing. After the concert we will go to a restaurant and have dinner.
Sunana Amadu Yahayya. Daga Magarya nike a Nijar. Ina yin karatu a Jamiar Amadu
Bello a Kano, Nijeriya. Kullum ina da harkoki dayawa, ga karatu ga wasanni. Ina koyon
ilimin kwamfiyuta kuma ina cikin tim in wallon afa na Jamia. Ina da azuzuwa daga
arfe 8:30 da safe zuwa arfe 3:00 da rana. Bayan haka muna yin faratis in wallon
afa kowacce rana daga arfe 4:00 zuwa 6:00 da marece. Ina jin dain yin wasan
wallon afa. A arshen mako ma ni da Abokaina mukan yi wallon afa. Ina kuma son
yin iyo da kain garayar bature, wato gitar. Ban iya gitar sosai ba. Wannan arshen sati
abokaina da ni za mu tafi wani wasa da ake yi a filin wasan Zinder, cikin Nijar. Mawai
duk da muka fi so shi zai yi waa. Bayan wasa za mu tafi gidan abinci mu ci abincin
dare.
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Activity 8
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
H.
Activity 10
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Village Square
Gymnasium
Soccer field
Road
Swimming pool
Tennis court
Dandali
akin motsa jiki
Filin wasa
Hanya
Wurin Waha
Filin tanis
Activity 11
A. alibai suna yin wasan wallon raga a akin motsa jiki.
2.
3.
4.
259
5.
260
Lesson 17
Health and the Human Body
Lafiya da Jikin Mutum
1. Listen as the speaker recites the vocabulary. Then study the diagram and match
the Hausa terms for each body part with the diagram.
Abdomen
Arm
Back
Chest
Chin
Ear
Elbow
Eye
Face
Fingers
Foot/Feet
Genitals
Groin
Hair
Hand
Head
Heart
Hip
Knee
Leg
Mouth
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Ciki, Tumbi
Hannu
Baya
irji
Haa
Kunne
Gwiwar hannu
Ido
Fuska
Yatsu
afa / afafuwa
Alaura
Kwankwaso
Gashi
Hannu
Kai
Zuciya
uwawu
Gwiwa
afa
Baki
Neck
Nose
Pelvis
Shoulder
Stomach
Toes
Tooth/Teeth
Waist
Wuya
Hanci
Kwatangwalo
Kafaa
Ciki
Yatsun afa
Haori / Haora
ugu, Gindi
2. In Hausa, name the body parts that come in pairs. Check your work with the Answer
Key.
3. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate body part in Hausa. Check your answers with
the Answer Key.
Idanu
Kai
Hannuwa Wuya
Baki
262
it is very important in Hausa culture to go and greet anybody you know who is sick. The Western
habit of leaving the sick person alone does not apply in Hausa culture. If you are sick, you can
expect all of your acquaintances and neighbors to come and inquire about your health. In fact, it
would be rude if they didnt. The same will be expected of you. See below some common
phrases about health with explanatory notes.
Ina jiki?
is somewhat better.
Are you feeling ill?
da saui-saui.
Ba ni jin dai.
To take medicine
Sha magani
Here is a short dialogue that portrays a typical house visit to someone who is not feeling well.
Ali: Salama alekum.
Salama alekum
Wa alekum assalam
Good.
263
It is getting better.
Amen, Amen.
Ali : Mi ya sameka ne ?
Usman : Zazzai ne.
Ali : Kai ! Babu dai!
Usman: Wallai!
Seriously !
Usman: To na gode.
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I feel sick.
Yaya jiki?
Ba ni da lafiya.
I feel bad.
Ba ni jin dai.
I have a fever.
Ina da zazzai.
I have a headache.
Ina da ciwon kai.
My back hurts.
Ina da ciwon baya.
My stomach hurts.
Ina da ciwon ciki.
4. Listen to the following questions and answers, and read along in the workbook.
A. How do you feel?
I feel sick.
A. Ina jiki?
Ba ni da lafiya.
My head hurts.
C. Ina jiki?
I, hannuna ya karya.
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My stomach hurts.
No, Im pregnant.
F. Ba ka da lafiya ne?
G. Lafiya?
7. Work with a partner. Role-play the doctor and patient. Use the questions from Exercise
5 as a model. Use the phrases from Exercise 6 to describe your symptoms.
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8. Listen to and read the list of the typical symptoms for each ailment.
Flu
Fever
Congestion
(mucus)
Sore throat
Body aches
Sneezing
Coughing
Sanyi-jiri
Head cold
Congestion
Sore Throat
Sneezing
Coughing
Severe Pain
Mura
Broken Bone
Swelling
Bruise
Bleeding
Karyayyan ashi
Sprain
Swelling
Pain
Targae, gure
Zazzai
Majina
Ciwon wuya
Tsamin jiki
Attishawa
Tari
Majina
Ciwon wuya
Attishawa
Tari
Tsananin ciwo
Kumburi
urma
Zubar jini
Kumburi
Ciwo
9. Look at the chart of symptoms in Exercise 8. Work with a partner or in a small group
and develop questions the doctor might ask about ones symptoms in order to diagnose
the problem. Use the following model to create a dialogue.
Model:
Do you have fever?
No, I dont.
Do you have a cough and body aches?
No, doctor.
Thats very good. You dont have the flu. Its a cold.
Thank you, doctor.
You are welcome.
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Conversion of Measurements
1 foot = 30 centimeters
1 inch = 2.5 centimeters
100 centimeters = 1 meter
1 pound = 0.454 kilograms
afa 1 = santimeta 30
inci 1 = santimeta 2.5
santimeta 100 = meta 1
laba 1 = kilo 0.454
11. Listen to the speaker while you read the statements below. Translate each exchange.
You can check the English translation in the Answer Key.
A. Yaya kake jin jikinka?
- Ba ni jin dai. Akwai tashin zuciya.
B. Yaya kike jin jikinki?
- Lafiya lau, amma da tashin zuciya kaan.
C. Yaya kake jin jikinka?
- Ba ni lafiya, amma babu tashin zuciya.
D. Ina tsammani na karya afata. Don Allah a kira motar asibiti!
E. Ina tsammani ya karya afarsa. Don Allah a kira motar asibiti!
F. Ya karya afarsa ne ? I, ina tsammani. Don Allah a kira motar asibiti!
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12. What do you hear? Listen to the speaker and mark the statement that you hear.
Check your work with the Answer Key.
1. A. Where does it hurt? My stomach hurts.
B. Where does it hurt? My back hurts.
C. Where does it hurt? My neck hurts.
2.
3.
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End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Ask and answer the following questions in Hausa. Check the Answer Key for a
translation of the questions.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
2. Tell the class what you do in order to keep a healthy weight? Do you exercise? What
types of exercise do you do? How often and for how long do you exercise? Do you have
a special diet? What kind? What do you eat and not eat? Give an example of your
menu. What do you order when you eat out? How does it affect your diet the next day?
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Vocabulary List
Allergy
Ambulance
Arm
Forearm
Chest
Chin
Are you in pain?
Are you taking any
medication?
Body aches
Broken bone
Bruise
Call an ambulance!
Congestion
Coughing
Ear
Elbow
Eye
Finger
Foot
Feel
Fever
Flu/Influenza
Hand
Head
Hip
Knee
Help!
How do you feel?
Hurt, Pain
Leg
Thigh
Calf
Mouth
Nose
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Neck
Medicine
Nausea
Pain
Pregnant
To get pregnant
Shoulder
Toe
Waist
Sick
Sneezing
Sore throat
Stomach
Stomach cramps
Cramps (pregnancy)
Strain
Swelling (noun)
To swell
Symptoms
Illness (general)
What is the matter?
Where does it hurt?
Centimeter
To buy and bring back
Betterness (noun)
To add
To take medicine
Medicine
Time (one time )
Coughing
To return
See you when I get back.
How are you feeling?
I caught a cold.
Wuya, Wuyoyi
Magani, Magunguna
Tashin zuciya
Ciwo
Mai ciki, da ciki
auki ciki
Kafaa, Kafau
Yatsar afa, Yatsun afa (pl.)
Gindi, ugu (esp. with clothes)
Rishin lafiya, marar lafiya
Attishawa
Ciwon wuya
Ciki, Cikkuna (pl.)
Murar ciki
Ciwon mara
Gure
Kumburi
Kumbura
Alama, Alamu (pl.), Bayyanar cuta
Rishin lafiya
Mi ya sameka?
Ina yake maka ciwo?
Santimeta
Sayo
Saui
ara
Sha magani
Magani
Sau
Tari
Dawo
Sai na dawo.
Yaya kake jin jikinka?
Mura ta kama ni.
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ANSWER KEY
Activity 2
Kunnuwa
Gwiwowin hannu
Idanuwa
afafuwa
Hannuwa
Gwiwowi
Kafau
Hannuwa
afafuwa
uwaiwai
Activity 3
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
eyes
ears
heart
feet
head, hands, neck
mouth
A. Idanu
B. Kunnuwa
C. Zuciya
D. afafuwa
E. Kai, hannuwa, wuya
F. Baki
Activity 6
A. 2 The little girl has a fever, a sore throat, body aches, and she is sneezing and coughing. She
has the flu. (Yarinya tana da zazzai, ciwon wuya, da tsamin jiki, kuma tana yin
attishawa da tari. Sanyi-jiri ne ya kama ta.)
B. 1 The young woman is not sick. She is pregnant. (Mace ba ta da rishin lafiya. Ta auki
ciki ne.)
C. 3 The little boy is nauseous and has a stomachache. (Yaro yana da tashin zuciya da
ciwon ciki.)
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Activity 11
A. How do you feel? - I dont feel well. Im nauseous.
B. - How do you feel? - I feel fine, but Im a little nauseous.
C. How do you feel? - I dont feel well, but Im not nauseous.
D. I think I broke my leg. Please call an ambulance!
E. I think he broke his leg. Please call an ambulance!
F. Did he break his leg? I think so. Please call an ambulance!
A. Yaya kake jin jikinka?
- Ba ni jin dai. Akwai tashin zuciya.
B. Yaya kike jin jikinki?
- Lafiya lau, amma da tashin zuciya kaan.
C. Yaya kake jin jikinka?
- Ba ni lafiya, amma babu tashin zuciya.
D. Ina tsammani na karya afata. Don Allah a kira motar asibiti!
E. Ina tsammani ya karya afarsa. Don Allah a kira motar asibiti!
F. Ya karya afarsa ne ? I, ina tsammani. Don Allah a kira motar asibiti!
Activity 12
1. B. Where does it hurt? My back hurts.
Ina yake miki ciwo? Ina jin ciwo a baya.
2.
3.
4.
End-of-Lesson Tasks
Activity 1
A. In kana da sanyi-jiri, mine ne alamunsa?
B. Kana shan magani?
C. Ka taa karya ashi? In ka taa yin haka, wane ashi ne ka karya?
D. Mine ne tsawonka da nauyinka?
E. Sau nawa kakan tafiya likita? Kowanne wata? Kowacce shekara? Kowaanne shekaru
ukku?
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
275
Lesson 18
Politics and International Affairs
Siyasa da Harkokin Waje
This lesson will introduce you to following:
- Vocabulary associated with politics and international issues
- How they are reported in Hausa news
- How to read and understand political events written in Hausa language newspapers.
Politics:
Both Nigeria and Niger are, at least nominally, democratic countries. Democratic institutions are
in place and voting takes place at regular intervals. Both of these democracies, however, have
their own share of problems. Nigeria is so rife with corruption as to sometimes be referred to as a
kleptocracy (rule by theft). Niger has had numerous coups dtat since independence was
declared, and more recently an extended rebellion in the northern part of the country. In both
countries, there is a constant tension between traditionalist Islam and modernist tendencies, and
this tug-of-war has manifested in every election that has taken place. Hausa culture tends to be
very traditional, and thus the leaders that have been chosen are usually fairly conservative in
their values. Northern Nigeria is known for its more extremist leanings, and often chooses
leaders that even their fellows Hausas in Niger find to be frighteningly radical in their ultratraditional Islamic form of governing. Human rights issues continue to be one of the major issues
in the Hausa speaking world, at least according to outside observers. Niger is one of the last
places in the world still suspected of having traditional hereditary slavery taking place. And, the
Tuareg rebels in the north continue to show discontent (often in the form of highway banditry) at
the treatment of the northern people of Niger by the government. The Muslim majority in
northern Nigeria, meanwhile, is constantly at odds with the wealthier Christian majority in the
South, and these tensions frequently flare up in the form of interfaith violence.
Gwamnati
Firayim Minista
Shugaba
Shugaba / magabaci
Mai mulkin kama-karya
Majalisar dokoki
Maaikata
Zae
Maaikata
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Political Party
Vote
Republic
State (country)
Democracy
Democratic
Term of office
Policy
Human Rights
Religious
Racial
Radical
World
Conflict
War
Invade
Nuclear weapons
Jamiyya
Yin zae, Jefa uria
Jamhuriya
asa
Dimokaraiya
Na dimokaraiya
Ajalin iko
Siyasa / Manufa
Hakkin an Adam
Addini
Na launin fata
Mai tsaurin raayi
Duniya
Rikici, Rigima
Yai
Kai wa hari
Makamashin nukiliya
2. Listen to and read the following terms and statements. While reading, note the use
of new vocabulary.
The Iraqi leader
The Russian officials
The South African government
Religious differences
Middle East conflict
The war in Iraq
The radical political party
Islamic fundamentalism
Shugaban Irai
Jamian Rasha
Gwamnatin Afirka ta Kudu
Bambance-bambancen addini
Rikici a gabas ta tsakiya
Yai cikin Irai
Jamiyyar siyasa mai tsaurin raayi
Musulumci na masu raayin riau
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The News:
The news in Nigeria is generally reported and written in English, while in Niger it is in French.
There are a few Hausa language newspapers in Nigeria, as well as some Hausa language radio
stations in Nigeria and Niger. One of the main sources of news for the Hausa speaking public,
however, is shortwave radio. In any Hausa village, you can expect to hear the familiar theme
songs of BBC, Deutsche Welle, and Voice of America, as people tune in to the Hausa language
reports several times a day. The British, German, American, Chinese, and Iranian national radio
stations all broadcast daily Hausa language programming to Africa via shortwave. Hausa news
reporters generally have a very specific tone and cadence to their speech that is easily recognized
to a Hausa speaker as radio speech. There are also some words and expressions that are common
on these international news broadcasts that are not part of everyday speech for most Hausas. It is
sometimes seen as a dialect of its own, referred to playfully as Bibisanci, meaning the language
of the BBC (British Broadcasting Network). One very noticeable characteristic of this style of
speech is that rather than borrowing a word from English or French, the news stations will seek
out a genuine Hausa term even at the expense of using less common terminology. This is done
intentionally in order to strengthen the Hausa language as it attempts to adapt to new situations
and technology. However, this can sometimes result in a language that is quite unlike what is
normally used on the street. That being said, however, you will notice many words relating to
politics that are clearly derived from English but have become so integrated in the Hausa
language as to be considered proper Hausa.
3. Listen to and read the following transcript of a radio news report from Nigeria.
Then answer the questions that follow. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
To, masu sauraro, yanzu za mu koma Nijeriya inda Salifu Ayuba ya shirya mana
wannan rahoto a kan zanga-zangar da aka yi jiya a birnin Kano.
Jiya da safe aliban jamia masu umbin yawa suka fito tituna su yi zanga-zanga
domin su nuna rishin gamsuwarsu da cewa gwamnatin jahar Kano ta kasa biyan kuin
tallafi ga daliban jamia tun wata ukku.
Fiye da mutune dubu 15 suka haa a wurin domin su kai wa gwamnatin koke-kokensu
cewa gwamnati ba ta kula da su kamar yadda ya kamata.
Mai magana da yawun gwamnati Abdu Sale ya ce a halin yanzu gwamnati kanta ba ta
da kui.
Ya ce maaikitan gwamnati su ma ba su sami cikakken albashinsu ba. Amma kuma ya
ce in sha ma Allahu gwamnati zai sami kuin ba da daewa ba.
Domin haka ya ce ya kamata su alibai su bar wannan zanga-zanga su yi hauri.
Amma su alibai a nasu angare suka ce ba za su bar yin zanga-zanga sai gwamnati ta
cika alkawarinta. Salifu Ayuba, daga Kano, Nijeriya.
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Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
4. Work in small groups. Pretend that you are a crew working for a news program.
Make up a short description of a political event. Use the questions from Exercise 3 as an
outline for your report.
5. Work in a small group or with a partner. Go over the information on the political
system in the Nigeria and Niger one more time. Recall the information in the Hausa.
Report to your teacher and to the class.
279
International Geography
Geography:
The Hausa speaking world is located primarily in a hot, flat, and dry sub-desert region known as
the Sahel. Northern Nigeria and Southern Niger both lie in this climatic zone, the Sahel, which
extends from Senegal to Sudan south of the Sahara Desert. There are no real mountains in the
Hausa speaking areas, just a few hills and rock outcrops. There are few major lakes, and many of
the rivers and small lakes are seasonal. There are many dry river beds, especially in Niger; a sign
of the encroachment of the Sahara Desert into the Sahel. This process of desertification has
devastated the farmlands of the Sahel and contributed to the diminishment of the species of
animals and plants that live in the region. The diminishing yields of the farms (caused by the
280
encroachment of sands and reduction in annual rainfall) represent a major dilemma for the
Hausas. They have farmed this land for centuries. Fortunately, in the last couple of decades
governments and the global community have undertaken some real efforts to stem the advance of
desertification, and there is some evidence that these efforts are having an effect. Some native
trees, such as the Gao tree, are now protected, and new methods of clearing the fields are
improving the nutrient quality of the soils. It must be noted, however, that this fragile land also
faces an imminent threat from the population boom that is taking place in the region and the
specter of overpopulation.
Kano is often considered the cultural center of Hausaland, but there are several other major
population centers in Hausaland, including Katsina, Sokoto, Zaria, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Bauci,
Zinder, Maradi, Tahoua, Daura, and several others. The area sometimes called Hausaland, where
the Hausa city-states once formed a sort of Hausa kingdom, has now been bisected by the border
between Niger and Nigeria, a line which follows no culturally significant boundary. Historically
the line divided French West Africa (including what is now Niger) and British West Africa
(including what is now Nigeria). The border has gained real cultural significance over the years
because of differing governments and, more importantly, different colonial languages.
The rainy season, also the season for farming, runs May through September. These are the most
important months of the year as the rainfall largely determines the crop output for the year. A
drought year is a real life and death crisis for many families, and thus the rains are anticipated
anxiously as May rolls around each year. The high temperatures in the hot seasonusually
March and Aprilcan top 115 degrees in the shade; another reason why the rains are so
welcome.
6. Now that you have read the information about Nigeria and Niger, answer the following
questions. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1. Which Nigerian city is often considered the cultural center of Hausaland?
2. Name three Hausaland cities that lie in Niger.
3. What is the name of the climate zone in which Hausaland lies?
4. What was the colonial era name of the area in which modern day Niger lies?
Afghanistan
Canada
China
Burkina
Egypt
England
Finland
Afganistan
Kyanada
(asar) Sin/ Caina
Burkina
Masar/ Misira
Ingila
Finland
281
France
Germany
Great Britain
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Korea
Sudan
Senegal
Netherlands
Norway
Pakistan
Ethiopia
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Cameroon
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Syria
Ghana
Vietnam
Chad
North America
Central America
South America
Western Europe
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East
Southwest Asia
Southeast Asia
Faransa
Jamus
Britaniya
Indiya
Indunisiya
Iran/ Farisa
Ira/ Irai
Ireland
Israila
Italiya
Japan
Jordan
Koriya
Sudan
Senegal
(asar) Holan
Norwai
Pakistan
(asar) Habasha
Rasha
Saudiya / asar Maka
Kamaru
Afirka ta Kudu
Spain
Swidin
Siriya / Sham
Gana
Vietnam
(asar) Cadi
Amirka ta Arewa
Amirka ta Tsakiya
Amirka ta Kudu
Yammacin Turai
Tsakiyar Turai
Gabashin Turai
Gabas ta Tsakiya
Asiya ta Kudu Maso Yamma
Asiya ta Kudu Maso Gabas
282
Africa
Australia
Eastern Asia
Afirka
Ostareliya
Asiya ta gabas
American
American (more
an implication of
race rather than
just nationality)
American Citizen
Mutumin
Baamrike
an asar
Amirka
Masculine
Amirka
Feminine
Mutumniyar
Amirka
Baamrikiya
Amirka
Plural
Mutanen
ar asar
Amirka
Amrikawa
Amirka
an asar
Amirka
Note that the ba form for describing race and/or nationality can be difficult to use and is not
commonly used with certain countries or peoples.
8. Listen to and read the dialogues about nationality. Note the ways to determine
ones nationality.
Are you from Syria?
No, Im Canadian.
Im Vietnamese.
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9. Create questions in Hausa that are appropriate to the answers provided. Check your
work with the Answer key.
1. - ..?
I, ni mutumin Vietnam ne.
2. - ?
Aa, ni ba mutumniyar Amirka ce. Ni mutumniyar Kyanada ce.
3. - or ..?
A Pakistan nike da zama, amma ni mutumin Afganistan ne.
4. - ..?
I, mu mutanen Irai ne.
10. What do you hear? The speaker will read one word from each line of text. Mark
the word that you hear. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Afghanistan
Ireland
Vietnam
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Pakistan
Thailand
Indonesia
Syria
Iraq
Iran
Netherlands
Japan
Israel
Egypt
284
India
England
China
Jordan
Russia
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Translate the following headlines into English. Check your work with the Answer Key.
1. Kofi Annan ya ziyarci birnin Tehran
2. Shugaban Amirka George Bush ya yi jawabi a kan manufofin Gwamnatin Amirka
a game da Irai
3. Shugabannin asashen Afirka ta Yamma sun hau a Bamako domin su halarci
wani babban taro a kan tattalin arziki
4. Jawabi A kan yai da jahilci a Nijar
5. Hukumar zae a asar Jamus ta fai sakamakon zae
2. Listen to and read the following news report from Nigeria, and then answer the
questions that follow. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
An jinkirta fain sakamakon zae a Kongo
Hukumar zae ta asar Kongo ta bayar da sanarwar jinkirta fain sakamakon zaen
an majalisar dokoki, har zuwa ranar alhamis ta jibi idan Allah ya kaimu.
Sakamakon zaen da aka shirya fai a farko farkon makon nan, an age shi ne a cewar
hukumar zaen bayan gano magui da wasu jamiai 10 suka yi, don ba wa jamiyyun
adawa nasara.
Ya zuwa yanzu dai sakamakon bayan fage na nuni da cewa jamiyyar hain gwiwa da
shugaba Joseph Kabila ke wa jagoranci ce a kan gaba da yawan uriun da aka kidaya.
Idan dai an iya tunawa, shugaba Joseph Kabila ne a kan gaba a yawan uriu na zaen
shugaban asa, to amma ya gaza samun uriun da ake bukata domin lashe zaen.
Hakan yasa a watan gobe zasu sake arawa, a zagaye na biyu da mai rufa masa baya a
yawan uriun , wato Jean Pierre Bemba.
(From Deutsche Welle Hausa Section)
Questions:
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286
Vocabulary List
Conflict
Democracy/democratic
Dictator
Dispute
Election
Government
Human Rights
Invade/invasion
Leader
Ministry
Nuclear weapons
Official
Parliament
Policy
Political Party
President
Prime minister
Racial
Radical
Religious
Republic
State
Term of office
To kill
To vote
To invade
War
World
Vocabulary for Radio
Transcript
A great number of
To come out into the
streets
Discontentment
Support money
Since
Rikici/ Rigima
Dimokuraiyya
Mai mulkin kama karya
Rikici/gardandami
Zae
Gwamnati, gwamnatoci (pl.)
Hakkokin an Adam
Kai wa hari/ Hari
Shugaba, shugabanni (pl.)
Maaikata, Maaikatu (pl.)
Makamai nukiliya
Jamii, jamiai (pl.)/ Maaikaci, maaikata (pl.)
Majalisa, majalisu (pl.)
Manufa, manufofi (pl.)
Jamiyyar Siyasa, Jamiyyun Siyasa
Shugaba, Shugabanni (pl.)
Firayim Minista
Na launin fata
Mai tsaurin raayi
Na addini
Jamhuriya, jamhuriyoyi (pl.)
asa, asashe (pl.)
Ajalin iko
Kashe
Yin zae, jefa uria
Kai wa hari
Yai, yae-yae (pl.)
Duniya, Duniyoyi (pl.)
287
More than
To join, connect, meet
up
Complaint
To take care of
How (not in questions)
Government
spokesperson
At the current time
Itself (fem.)
Full, complete
Pay, salary
To linger, To take a long
time
Because of that
To leave (someone or
something), or to stop
doing something
Area, Section
Promise
Vocabulary for Article
from Deutsche Welle
If
The day after tomorrow
To delay
Electoral commission
To give
Announcement
Results
One week from
Thursday (it is Tuesday)
If God takes us there
To prepare
The very beginning of ...
To postpone
According to
Fraud
Opposition party
Success/ Victory
To the present time
Fiye da
Haa
Kuka, Koke-koke (pl.)
Kula da
Yadda, Yanda
Mai magana da yawun gwamnati
A halin yanzu
Kanta
Cikakken
Albashi
Daewa
Domin haka
Bari, Bar
angare
Alkawari
Idan/ In
Jibi
Jinkirta
Hukumar zae
Ba da/ Bayar da
Sanarwa
Sakamako
Ranar Alhamis ta jibi
Idan Allah ya kai mu
Shirya
Farko farkon...
age
A cewar
Magui
Jamiyyar adawa
Nasara
Ya zuwa yanzu
288
Unofficial results
To show
Coalition party
Leadership
In the lead
Votes
Counting
Remember
To fail (followed by
verb)
To win
Next month
To repeat
To add
Second round
His runner up
Number of votes
289
ANSWER KEY
Exercise 3
290
Exercise 6
1.
2.
3.
4.
Kano
Zinder, Maradi, Tahoua
The Sahel
French West Africa
Exercise 9
1.
2.
3.
4.
1. - ..?
I, ni mutumin Vietnam ne.
2. - ?
Aa, ni ba mutumniyar Amirka ce. Ni mutumniyar Kyanada ce.
3. - or ..?
A Pakistan nike da zama, amma ni mutumin Afganistan ne.
4. - ..?
I, mu mutanen Irai ne.
Exercise 10
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
India
England
Indonesia
Israel
Russia
Indiya
Ingila
Indunisiya
Israila
Rasha
291
Exercise 2
292
Lesson 19
The Military
Soja
Sojojin nan suna sanye da kayan soja. Suna da shuhuddai a afa da huluna na kwano a
kai. Hular kwano tana kare kansu daga igwa da harsashi da nakiyoyi. Sojoji suna da
makamai a hannu.
magana da
kwamandansa a rediyo.
maharbin roka.
293
2. Now listen to the new words and repeat them after the speaker.
Soldier
Uniform
Boots
Helmet
To protect
Artillery
Ammunition
Explosive
Weapons
Radio
Commander
To fire
Rifle
Rocket launcher
Soji
Kayan soja
Manyan Takalma / shuhuddai
Hular kwano
Kare, Yi tsaro
Igwa
Harsashi
Nakiya
Makamai
Rediyo
Kwamanda
Harba
Bindiga
Maharbin roka
Military Terminology
You will notice that the Hausa military language contains a lot of English loanwords that have
been thoroughly integrated into Hausa speech. The rank titles are a good example of this
borrowing. Even so, a Hausa vocabulary has been formed for discussing military issues, and the
terminology used in this chapter is of the type that will be heard in the Hausa news broadcasts.
For those who will be working alongside Nigerian soldiers, however, it is important to note that
there is a style of Hausa that is particular to the military. This style is often referred to as
barikanci (barracks speech), and it is full of English words that the majority of Hausas would
not know. It is a style of speech that is not looked upon very favorably by the rural Hausas. In
addition to being known as an unattractive form of Hausa, it is also associated with soldiers who
try to use English to pull status while bullying civilians and with the barroom talk of drunken
soldiers. Nevertheless, it is something that is prevalent in military circles, and it may be
interesting to learn. The important thing to remember is that what is comprehensible in the
barracks may not be understood in the villageor worse yet, it may be misconstrued. This
prevalence of English (or French in Niger) in military circles is natural, however, considering
that it is the language in which the military is conducted. Soldiers will use Hausa with each other
or with people who do not speak English, but all documents and official orders will be in
English, or French in Niger.
294
3. Read the statements and match each one with the correct picture. Check your answers
with the Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
maharbin roka mai tafiya
295
da kansa.
3.
4.
5.
5. Now cover the names of the vehicles with a sheet of paper and name them. Repeat
Exercise 4 as many times as you need to feel comfortable with the new terms.
1. ..
2. ..
3. ..
4. ..
5. ..
6. ..
6. Listen to the new words and repeat them after the speaker.
296
1 Sword
2 Rifle
3 Machine gun
4 Grenade
Takobi
Bindiga
Bindiga mai ruwa
Gurnat, Nakiya
5 Mine
6 Pistol
7 Missile
8 Weapons cache
7. Look at the pictures in Exercise 6. Cover the Hausa translations and the English words
in Exercise 6. Match each term with the correct picture. Replay the sound as many times
as you need. Check your work with the Answer key.
A. Nakiya da ke hae da waya
B. Harsashi mai linzami
C. Gurnat, Nakiya
D. Wurin ajiye makamai
E. aramar bindiga
F. Takobi
G. Bindiga mai ruwa
H. Bindiga
8. In the following lists of items, three belong to the group, but the fourth does not logically
belong. Cross it out. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Tanki
Gurnat
Babar mota
Humbee
Bindiga
Takobi
Hular kwano
Kayan soja
Soji
Kwamanda
Rediyo
Taswira
Makami
Hular kwano
Igwa
Kayan soja
Manyan takalma
Hafsa
Soji
Farar hula
Kwamanda
297
9. Translates the following statements into English. Check your answers with the Answer
Key.
1. Sojoji sukan sa huluna na kwano domin su kare kansu daga harsashi.
2. Sojoji sukan sa huluna na kwano domin su kare kansu daga nakiyoyi da igwoyi.
3. Muna caje dukan fararen hula domin mu nemo makamai.
4. Muna caje dukan sojoji na magabcinmu domin mu nemo makamai.
10. What do you hear? Listen to the speaker and mark the statements that you hear.
Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1. A. Soldiers wear helmets for protection from ammunition.
B. Soldiers wear helmets for protection from explosives and artillery.
2. A. We are searching all vehicles for weapons.
B. We are searching all enemy soldiers for weapons.
11. Listen and repeat the new words after the speaker.
Army base
Be careful!
Curfew
In charge of
Minefield
Roadblock
Checkpoint
Identification
Patrol
Base
Barracks
Sansanin soja
Yi hankali!
Dokar hana fitar dare
Mai shugabancin
Wuri mai dasasshin nakiyoyi
Wurin tsaida motoci
Wurin duba motoci
Katin shaida
Sintiri
Sansani
Bariki
298
12. Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the vocabulary list above. Check your
answers with the Answer Key.
A. Wane ne ____________________ an sintiri? Shi kwamandan an sintiri.
B. Akwai _____________________? I, daga 8:00 PM zuwa 6:00 AM.
C. _______________________! Akwai ____________________ can gabanmu!
D. Dole ne kowa ya nuna __________________ a _________________.
E. Ina _____________yake? A wancan angaren sansani.
13. Work with a partner and take turns reading and role-playing the dialogues from
Exercise 12.
14. Work in a small group and come up with similar dialogues, and then role-play them.
15. Study the list of U.S. Army ranks. Compare them with the Nigerian and Nigerien
military equivalents.
Enlisted
Private
Corporal
Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Farabiti
Farman-kilashi
Kofur
Kafaran
Saja
Sarjan
Samanja
Sarjan-majar
Officer
Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lt. Colonel
Colonel
General
Hafsa
hafsa
Laftanan
Litinan
Kyaftin
Kaftan
Manja/ Manjo
Majar
Laftanan-kanar
Litinan-kwalanal
Kanar
Kwalanal
Janar
Janaral
299
End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Work with a partner or in a small group. In Hausa, come up with a caption for each
picture below.
1. .
2. .
3. .
2. a) Translate the following sentences into English. Check your work with the Answer
Key.
A. Ina wurin ajiye makamai yake?
B. Wane ne mai shugabancin waanan an sintiri?
C. Dole sai ka nuna katin shaida in za ka wuce wannan wurin duba motoci.
D. Dole sai a caje dukan masu fararen hula a nemo makamai.
E. Dokar hana fitar dare ta fara aiki daga arfe 9:00 pm. arfe 9:45 ne yanzu. Ka
koma gidanka.
F. Sojoji kaai suna da izini su shiga sansanin soja.
b) Work with a partner or in a small group. Come up with situations where you can
use sentences C, D, E, and F as a reply. Create the first part of the conversation so that you
have short dialogues. Role-play them.
3. a) Translate the following into Hausa. Compare your translation against the Answer
Key.
300
A. Please step out of the car. We must search the vehicle for weapons.
B. It is after curfew. You must come with me for questioning.
C. The weapons cache is on the other side of Checkpoint Delta.
D. Be careful. There is a minefield east of the railroad.
E. Every soldier needs to have a radio and a map.
F. You must know all the checkpoints and roadblocks in this area.
b) Work with a partner or in a small group. Come up with situations where you can
use these sentences as a reply. Create the first part of the conversation so that you have
short dialogues. Role-play them.
301
Vocabulary
Ammunition
Army base
Artillery
Barracks
Base
Be careful!
Boots
Checkpoint
Civilian
Commander
Curfew
Enemy
Explosive
Grenade
Gun
Helmet
In charge
(of a patrol, base)
Machine gun
Map
Area (region)
Section
Military
Mine
Minefield
Missile
Sword
Officer
Planted (mines)
Protection
Radio
Rank
Rifle
Roadblock
Rocket
Harsashi
Sansanin soja
Igwa, Igwoyi
Bariki
Sansani, Sansanoni (pl.)
Yi hankali!
Manyan talakma
Wurin duba motoci
Farar hula, Fararen hula (pl.)
Kwamanda
Doka hana fitar dare
Abokin gaba, Magabci
Nakiya, Nakiyoyi (pl.)
Gurnat, Nakiya
Bindiga, Bindigogi (pl.)
Hular kwano, Huluna na kwano (pl.)
Mai shugabancin
Bindiga mai ruwa, Bindigogi masu ruwa
Taswira, Taswirori (pl.)
Lardi
angare, angarori (pl.)
Soja
Nakiyar da ke hae da waya
Wuri mai dasasshen nakiyoyi
Harsashi mai linzami
Takobi,
Hafsa, Hafsoshi (pl.)
Dasasshe
Tsaro
Rediyo, Rediyoyi (pl.)
Ranki, Muami
Bindiga
Wurin tsaida motoci
Roka
302
Rocket launcher
Search
Soldier
Tank
To take effect
Uniform
Weapon
Weapons cache
You must
Enlisted
Private
Corporal
Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Officer
Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lt. Colonel
Colonel
General
maharbin roka
Caje, bincika
Soji, Sojoji (pl.)
Tanki, Shar da kwamba
Fara aiki
Kayan soja
Makami, Makamai (pl.)
Wurin ajiye makamai
Dole sai ka
Farabiti/ Farman-Kalashi
Kofur/ Kararan
Saja/ Sarjan
Samanja/ Sarjan-majar
Hafsa
Laftanan/ Litinan
Kyaftan/ Kaftan
Manja, Manjo/ Majar
Laftanan-kanar/ Litinan-kwalanal
Kanar/ Kwalanal
Janar/ Janaral
303
ANSWER KEY
Activity 3
1. C. The soldier searches the civilian for weapons. -- Soji yana caje farar hula domin ya
gane ko yana da makamai.
Activity 7
A. 5
B. 7
C. 4
D. 8
E. 6
F. 1
G. 3
H. 2
mine
missile
grenade
weapons cache
pistol
sword
machine gun
rifle
Activity 8
1. Grenade
2. Helmet
3. Uniform
4. Minefield
5. Artillery
6. Civilian
Gurnat
Hular kwano
Kayan soja
Wuri mai dasasshen nakiyoyi
Igwa
Farar hula
Activity 9
1.
2.
3.
4.
304
Activity 10
1. A. Soldiers wear helmets for protection from explosives.
A. Sojoji sukan sa huluna na kwano domin su kare kansu daga nakiya.
Activity 12
A. Who is in charge of the patrol? The patrol leader is. (Mai shugabancin)
B. Is there a curfew? Yes, from 8:00pm to 6:00am. (Dokar hana fitar dare)
C. Be careful! There is a minefield across the road! (Yi hankali! Wuri mai dasasshin
nakiyoyi)
D. Everyone must show their identification at the checkpoint. - (Wuri mai dasasshin
nakiyoyi, Wurin duba motoci)
E. Where are the barracks? They are on the other side of the base. (Bariki)
A. Wane ne ____________________ an sintiri? Shi kwamandan an sintiri.
B. Akwai _____________________? I, daga 8:00 PM zuwa 6:00 AM.
C. _______________________! Akwai ____________________ can gabanmu!
D. Dole ne kowa ya nuna __________________ a _________________.
E. Ina _____________yake? A wancan angaren sansani.
305
E. Dokar hana fitar dare ta fara aiki daga arfe 9:00 pm. arfe 9:45 ne yanzu. Ka
koma gidanka.
F. Sojoji kaai suna da izini su shiga sansanin soja.
Activity 3a
A. Please step out of the car. We must search the vehicle for weapons.
A. Ku sauko daga mota. Muna bukata mu caje mota domin mu nemo makamai.
F. You must know all the checkpoints and roadblocks in this area.
F. Dole sai ka san dukan wuraren duba motoci da wuraren tsaida motoci a wannan
yankin.
306
Lesson 20
In the Hospital
Cikin Asibiti
Health Care:
Health care in Nigeria and Niger is, on average, quite dismal. As in most countries there is an
elite class that can afford decent health care, but for the majority of the population such services
are far out of reach. Clinics are available to the population at large, which offer a few basic
services at a minimal charge. However, even that charge can be prohibitive for the poor. Also,
these clinics only offer a few basic services. In Niger, it is estimated by the World Health
Organization (WHO) that only 50 percent of the population has access to health care at all.
Malaria and malnutrition are major killers in Niger, and the infant mortality rate is one of the
highest in the world. A large percentage of pre-mature deaths are due to preventable illness. In
short, health care in Niger is in a desperate situation. The situation in Nigeria is somewhat better,
but there remains a high infant mortality rate and high mortality levels due to malaria,
malnutrition, and preventable illness. The health care system in Nigeria is more advanced that
that of Niger, but it remains inaccessible and/or insufficient for much of the population. In both
countries there is a continuous effort to have universal childhood immunization and to eradicate
polio. This is done through rural tourneys for vaccination and low cost maternal checkups as well
as training of midwives. For the time being, though, the system remains under-funded and far
from universal, and sanitary conditions in health care facilities leave much to be desired.
307
Emergencies:
The point bears repeating here that a large percentage of Hausas do not speak English or French.
When there is an emergency or disaster, one cannot choose with whom to speak or whom to
work with. It may not be possible to resort to any other language than Hausa to communicate
vital information. Also, there may not be time to seek out a translator when trying to ascertain
vital information. Therefore, a working knowledge of Hausa terminology regarding health
emergencies can be a valuable skill. Also, remember that auto accidents are tragically common
in this area of the world and that these accidents often involve people from all walks of life,
many of which will not speak English or French. It is also possible that the military will be called
upon to carry out emergency health assistance. In this case, it would be very important to verify
that the aid is going to those in need.
Grammar Note: na and ke
We will add just one final grammar note for now. The regular continuous and the relative
continuous pronoun forms are commonly abridged. This is done by simple removing the first
syllable, leaving only na or ke. Note that this is only done when the subject is already stated in
the sentence. See the examples below, and look for the use of this form throughout this lesson.
Abdou is going.
The gun that is in your hand.
Everyone is feeling good.
Where is Nura going?
Abdu na tafiya.
Bindiga da ke a hannunka.
Kowa na jin dai.
Ina Nura ke tafiya?
In Lesson 17, you already learned the names of human body parts, how to ask questions
about a persons state of health, and how to describe health conditions and symptoms of
sickness. You also know how to handle a visit to the doctors office. In this lesson, you will
familiarize yourself with the vocabulary used for life threatening health conditions, such as
heart attacks, gunshot wounds, severe bleeding, and head injuries.
1. Go over the text with the pictures. Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold from
the context.
1
Wannan namiji ya yi rauni a damtse.
2
Wannan mace tana da rauni a
hannunta.
308
3
Wannan namiji yana da raunananniyar
afa.
wuya.
Did you understand the words in bold rauni and raunananne/ raunananniya?
Rauni means wound or injury
Raunananne means wounded or injured (masc. object)
Raunananniya means wounded or injured (fem. object)
Raunanannu means wounded or injured (pl. object)
Note that in everyday usage, the noun rauni (examples 1 and 2) will be used more often than the
adjectival form (examples 3 and 4).
2. Look at the pictures in Exercise 1 and match the number of the picture with the correct
definition. Check your answers with the Answer Key.
A. Raunananniyar afa
B. Raunanannen wuya
C. Raunananen hannu
D. Rauni a hannu
309
4. Listen to and read the dialogue between the doctor and the nurse in the emergency
room of a military hospital. Note the use of new vocabulary.
Doctor: How does Sergeant Lawali feel?
Likita: Yaya jikin saja Lawali?
Doctor: Is it injured?
Likita: Akwai rauni?
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7. Listen to the speaker and read along in your textbook. Check the translation in the
Answer Key for the meanings of unknown words.
Waannan bandeji da filasta ne. Ana bukatar su in za a aura rauni. Amma sai a yi aiki
da masu tsabta.
8. Familiarize yourself with some new medical terminology. Listen as the speaker
recites the names of internal organs. Repeat after the speaker.
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Zuciya
1. heart
2. brain
3. lung
4. kidney
5. liver
wawalwa
Huhu
wada / oda
Hanta
9. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate name of the organ in Hausa. Check your answers
with the Answer Key.
Zuciya
Hanta
Huhu
wada
wawalwa
10. Listen to and read the dialogue between a doctor and a patient in a military
hospital emergency room.
In the Military Hospital Emergency Room
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Major: I dont know. I didnt feel well. I had chest pain, a headache, and dizziness.
Maja: Ban sani ba. Ban ji dai ba. Na yi ciwon irji, ciwon kai, da jiri.
Doctor: Well, when you came into the ER, you couldnt breathe. We had to do CPR.
Likita: To, da ka zo nan akin haari, ba ka iya lumfashi ba. Sai muka farfao da
kai ta hanyar CPR.
You had abnormal blood pressure. It was 230 over 180. You had a heart attack.
Majar: arfin bugawar jininka ya fi abinda ya kamata. Ya kai 230 kan 180. Ciwon
zuciya ne ka yi.
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Doctor: Are there any medications that you are allergic to?
Likita: Akwai magungunan da bai kamata ka sha su ba.
Doctor: Do you have any kidney, liver, lung, or brain diseases? Diabetes? Cancer?
Likita: Kana da cuta a wada, hanta, huhu, ko wawalwa ? Cutar sukari? Cutar
kansa?
Doctor: Have any members of your family had heart disease or had a heart attack?
Likita: Kana da an uwa waanda suna da cuta ta zuciya, ko waanda suka taa yi
ciwon zuciya?
Major: Yes, my father died three years ago from heart disease.
Majar: I, ubana ya rasu shekara ukku da suka wuce saboda ciwon zuciya.
Doctor: Well, I think you must stay in the hospital and rest for a few days.
Likita: To, ina ji ya kamata ka yi an kwanaki kaan a nan asibiti domin ka huta.
Doctor: No, you have to stay in the hospital, rest, and take aspirin.
Likita: Aa, kana bukata ka tsaya a asibiti, ka huta, kuma ka sha asfirin.
11. Work with a partner. Pretend to be a doctor and a patient and role-play the dialogue
from Exercise 10.
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12. Match the questions and answers. When you have finished, check your work with the
Answer Key.
A. Yaya kake jin jikinka?
B. Mi ya sameka?
C. Mi kake ji?
F. Ka samu rauni?
6. I, maganin ciwo.
13. What do you hear? Listen to the speaker and mark the statement that you hear.
Check your answers with the Answer Key.
1. A. What are your symptoms? I have a fever and a pain in my arm.
B. What are your symptoms? I have a fever and a pain in my leg.
C. What are your symptoms? I have a fever and a pain in my neck.
2. A. How do you feel? I dont feel well. I have a chest pain.
B. How do you feel? I dont feel well. I feel dizziness.
C. How do you feel? I dont feel well. I cant breathe.
3. A. Is there a doctor here? This man just had a heart attack.
B. Are you a doctor? This man just had a heart attack.
C. I am a doctor. This man just had a heart attack.
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End-of-Lesson Tasks
1. Practice answering the following questions in Hausa:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
2. Work with a partner or in a small group. Look at the picture and tell in Hausa what you
think has happened with a patient. You might want to mention the following things: Is the
patient a man or a woman? What is his/her age? Is he/she a soldier? Is he/she wounded? Is
he/she injured? Is he/she in pain? Does he/she have bleeding? Does he/she have a fever?
Will he/she need to stay in the hospital? Does he/she have high blood pressure? Does he/she
have chest pain? Is he/she having a heart attack? Can he/she breathe? Will he/she need
CPR? Is he/she allergic to the medications? Does he/she take any medications?
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Vocabulary list
Abnormal (bad)
Antibiotic
Aspirin
Bandage
Band-aid
Bleeding
Brain
Breathing
Cancer
Perform CPR on
Cut
Diabetes
To dress a wound
ER
Gunshot wound
Head injury
Heart
Heart attack
Heart disease
To suffer from the heat
High blood pressure
I am allergic to
Injured
Injury
Kidney
Liver
Lungs
Organ (in body)
Painkiller
Penicillin
Pulse
Sterile (clean)
To die
To stay
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Unit (military)
Wound
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ANSWER KEY
Activity 2
A. 3
B. 4
C. 1
D. 1
Activity 6
A. 3 This soldier has an injured leg.
B. 2 This man didnt wear his hat. It was very hot today. He suffered from the heat to the
point where it made him sick. (i.e. he has heat stroke)
C. 1 This man has a dressing on his wounded arm.
A. 3. Sojin nan yana da rauni a afarsa.
B. 2. Namijin bai sa hula ba. Ya yi zafi sosai yau. Shi kuma, yana fama da zufa sosai
har da ya kai shi ya yi rishin lafiya.
Activity 7
These are bandages and band-aids. You need them to make a dressing for a cut or wound. But
you have to use sterile ones.
Waannan bandeji da filasta ne. Ana bukatar su in za a aura rauni. Amma sai a yi aiki
da masu tsabta.
Activity 9
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
brain
liver
heart
lung
kidneys
walwa
Hanta
Zuciya
Huhu
wada
Activity 12
A.
B.
C.
D.
B. Mi ya sameka?
C. Mi kake ji?
6. I, maganin ciwo.
Activity 13
1. C. What are your symptoms? I have a fever and a pain in my neck.
Mine ne alamun rishin lafiyarka? Akwai zazzai da kuma ciwo a wuyana.
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