🇳🇬Nigeria · Niger · Sahel
Hausa vocabulary: 98 essential words to communicate
Learn essential Hausa vocabulary with 98 words and phrases organized by theme. Perfect for beginners and travellers who want to communicate confidently.
98words & phrases
9themes
ENtranslations
Greetings & politeness
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sannu | Hello | Sannu da zuwa!Culture: Salutation universelle en haoussa, utilisée à toute heure. |
| Ina kwana? | Good morning (lit. how was the night?) | Ina kwana? Lafiya lau. |
| Ina wuni? | Good afternoon | Ina wuni? Lafiya. |
| Ina yini? | How was your day? | Ina yini? Aiki dai dai. |
| Sai anjima | See you later / Goodbye | Sai anjima, aboki! |
| Nagode | Thank you | Nagode ƙwarai! |
| Babu laifi | No problem / You're welcome | Nagode! Babu laifi. |
| Yi haƙuri | Excuse me / Sorry | Yi haƙuri, ina gari? |
| Lafiya? | How are you? / Fine? | Lafiya? Lafiya lau. |
| Madalla | Well done! / Congratulations! | Madalla da aikin da ka yi! |
Food & drinks
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Abinci | Food / Meal | Abinci ya dahu. |
| Ruwa | Water | Ina son ruwa. |
| Nama | Meat | Nama na tuwo ne. |
| Tuwo | Millet/corn porridge | Tuwo da miya.Culture: Le tuwo shinkafa (riz) ou tuwo masara (maïs) est l'accompagnement principal des repas haoussa. |
| Miya | Sauce / Soup | Miya taushe da nama. |
| Kifi | Fish | Kifi da gishiri. |
| Gero | Millet | Gero shine abinci na Sahel. |
| Waina | Rice fritters | Waina da miya. |
| Koko | Millet porridge | Koko da kosai. |
| Shayi | Tea | Shayi mai zaki. |
Family
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Iyaye | Parents | Iyayena na Lagos. |
| Uba | Father | Uba na likita ne. |
| Uwa | Mother | Uwa na tana girki. |
| Dan uwa | Brother | Dan uwana ya tafi makaranta. |
| Yar uwa | Sister | Yar uwata tana aiki. |
| Yaro | Boy / Child (m.) | Yaro mai hankali ne. |
| Miji | Husband | Mijinta likita ne. |
| Mata | Wife / Woman | Matata tana gida. |
| Jikoki | Grandchildren | Kakana da jikokinta. |
| Aboki | Friend | Abokina ya zo. |
Human body
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kai | Head | Kaina yana ciwo. |
| Ido | Eye | Idona na gani daidai. |
| Hanci | Nose | Hancina yana gudu. |
| Baki | Mouth | Baki don magana ne. |
| Kunnen | Ear | Kunnenana na ji sosai. |
| Hannun | Hand / Arm | Ka wanke hannunka. |
| Ƙafa | Foot / Leg | Ƙafata tana ciwo. |
| Zuciya | Heart | Zuciyata tana buga. |
| Ciki | Stomach | Cikina ya cika. |
| Jini | Blood | Jini mai muhimmanci ne. |
Numbers (1-20)
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ɗaya | One | |
| biyu | Two | |
| uku | Three | |
| huɗu | Four | |
| biyar | Five | |
| shida | Six | |
| bakwai | Seven | |
| takwas | Eight | |
| tara | Nine | |
| goma | Ten | |
| goma sha ɗaya | Eleven | |
| goma sha biyu | Twelve | |
| goma sha uku | Thirteen | |
| goma sha huɗu | Fourteen | |
| goma sha biyar | Fifteen | |
| goma sha shida | Sixteen | |
| goma sha bakwai | Seventeen | |
| goma sha takwas | Eighteen | |
| goma sha tara | Nineteen | |
| ashirin | Twenty |
Colors
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fari | White | |
| Baƙi | Black | |
| Ja | Red | |
| Shuɗi | Blue | |
| Kore | Green | |
| Rawaya | Yellow | |
| Ruwan kasa | Brown | |
| Toka | Grey |
Animals
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Zaki | Lion | |
| Giwa | Elephant | |
| Kare | Dog | |
| Kaza | Chicken | |
| Sa | Bull / Ox | |
| Akuya | Goat | |
| Rago | Ram / Sheep | |
| Dokin ruwa | Hippopotamus | |
| Kada | Crocodile | |
| Tsuntsaye | Birds |
Home & daily life
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gida | House / Home | |
| Ƙofa | Door | |
| Daki | Room | |
| Gado | Bed | |
| Tebur | Table | |
| Kujera | Chair | |
| Wuta | Fire / Light | |
| Ruwa | Water | |
| Makaranta | School | |
| Kasuwa | Market |
Time & weather
| Hausa / هَوْسَ | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yau | Today | |
| Jiya | Yesterday | |
| Gobe | Tomorrow | |
| Rana | Sun / Day | |
| Dare | Night | |
| Ruwan sama | Rain | |
| Sanyi | Cold | |
| Zafi | Heat / Hot | |
| Iskoki | Wind | |
| Lokacin damina | Rainy season |
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Cultural immersion in Hausa
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