Learn Hausa Language โ Free Lessons
Complete Hausa lessons with greetings, numbers, grammar, proverbs and WAEC preparation. Hausa is NOT tonal โ making it one of the easiest Nigerian languages to start learning today.
Hausa Greetings & Basic Phrases
Hausa greetings are elaborate, warm and deeply important. Unlike English where "hello" covers most situations, Hausa has different greetings for morning, afternoon, evening, after eating, after praying, after working, after waking from sleep โ and each has a specific expected response. Mastering these shows deep respect for Hausa culture. Importantly, unlike Yoruba and Igbo, Hausa is NOT a tonal language, making pronunciation much more accessible for beginners.
In Hausa Muslim communities (the majority in northern Nigeria), Islamic greetings are also widely used. "Assalamu alaikum" (peace be upon you) and its response "Wa alaikum assalam" are used between Muslims and are completely standard in everyday Hausa greetings. Non-Muslims are also greeted this way โ it is a marker of courtesy, not religion.
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English | Response / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ina kwana | ee-nah-kwah-nah | Good morning (lit: How did you sleep?) | Lafiya lau (perfectly well) |
| Ina wuni | ee-nah-woo-nee | Good afternoon | Lafiya lau |
| Ina yini | ee-nah-yee-nee | Good evening (lit: How is the day?) | Lafiya lau |
| Sanu | sah-noo | Hello / Greetings | Sanu da zuwa (welcome to arrival) |
| Sanu da zuwa | sah-noo-dah-zoo-wah | Welcome | Yawwa (okay / accepted) |
| Yaya dai? | yah-yah-dye | How are things? | Lafiya lau / Alhamdulillah |
| Lafiya lau | lah-fee-yah-low | (I am) perfectly well | Standard positive response |
| Assalamu alaikum | as-sah-lah-moo-ah-lay-koom | Peace be upon you (Islamic greeting) | Wa alaikum assalam |
| Nagode | nah-goh-deh | Thank you | Babu komai (you're welcome) |
| Nagode sosai | nah-goh-deh-soh-sigh | Thank you very much | |
| Don Allah | don-ah-lah | Please (lit: For God's sake) | Standard polite request word |
| Yi hakuri | yee-hah-koo-ree | Sorry / Be patient | Also: "Hakuri" alone |
| Madalla | mah-dal-lah | Well done / Excellent / Bravo | Praise and encouragement |
| To, ya yi | toh-yah-yee | Okay / Alright / Fine | Casual agreement |
| Sunana neโฆ | soo-nah-nah-neh | My name isโฆ | Introducing yourself |
| Ina farin ciki | ee-nah-fah-reen-chee-kee | I am happy to meet you | Lit: "I have whiteness of heart" |
| Barka da yamma | bar-kah-dah-yah-mah | Good afternoon / Congrats on the evening | General friendly greeting |
| Sai an jima | sigh-an-jee-mah | See you later / Goodbye | Lit: "Until we meet again" |
๐ง Quick Practice โ Hausa Greetings
Hausa Numbers 1โ100
Hausa uses a base-10 number system โ the same as English โ and the numbers are not tonal, making them much easier to learn than Yoruba or Igbo numbers. From 11 onwards, numbers follow a simple "X sha Y" (X and Y) or "Ashirin da X" (twenty and X) pattern that becomes predictable very quickly.
In Hausa market culture, bargaining (ciniki) is an art form. Knowing your numbers fluently is essential โ vendors will respect you much more if you can negotiate in Hausa. Northern Nigerian markets are among the most vibrant in West Africa, and Hausa is the language of trade across the Sahel region extending into Niger, Chad, and beyond.
| Number | Hausa | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ฦaya | dah-yah | |
| 2 | Biyu | bee-yoo | |
| 3 | Uku | oo-koo | |
| 4 | Huษu | hoo-doo | |
| 5 | Biyar | bee-yar | |
| 6 | Shida | shee-dah | |
| 7 | Bakwai | bak-why | |
| 8 | Takwas | tak-wahs | |
| 9 | Tara | tah-rah | |
| 10 | Goma | goh-mah | |
| 11 | Sha ษaya | shah-dah-yah | 10 + 1 (sha = and/plus) |
| 12 | Sha biyu | shah-bee-yoo | |
| 15 | Sha biyar | shah-bee-yar | |
| 20 | Ashirin | ah-shee-reen | |
| 21 | Ashirin da ษaya | ah-shee-reen-dah-dah-yah | 20 and 1 |
| 30 | Talatin | tah-lah-teen | Arabic loanword |
| 40 | Arba'in | ar-bah-een | Arabic loanword |
| 50 | Hamsin | ham-seen | Arabic loanword |
| 60 | Sittin | sit-teen | Arabic loanword |
| 70 | Saba'in | sah-bah-een | Arabic loanword |
| 80 | Tamanin | tah-mah-neen | Arabic loanword |
| 90 | Tis'in | tis-een | Arabic loanword |
| 100 | ฦari | dah-ree | |
| 1,000 | Dubu | doo-boo |
Hausa Family & Relationships
Hausa family life is shaped by both traditional Hausa customs and Islamic values. The family (iyali) is large and includes extended kin, and community bonds are very strong. Respect for elders (manya) is fundamental โ younger people do not contradict elders in public and always greet them first.
Hausa marriage customs include the "kayan daki" (bride's household goods) tradition where the bride's family provides furniture, cooking equipment and household items. The "sadaki" (bride price) is paid by the groom's family to the bride. These customs vary significantly by family and by whether the family follows more traditional or more modernised practices.
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uba | oo-bah | Father | Also: Baba (informal, widely used) |
| Uwa | oo-wah | Mother | Also: Mama (informal, widely used) |
| ฦa | dah | Son | |
| Yarinya / Diya | yah-rin-yah | Daughter | |
| ฦan'uwa (m.) / 'Yar'uwa (f.) | dan-oo-wah | Brother / Sister | Lit: "son/daughter of our people" |
| Kaka (m. & f.) | kah-kah | Grandfather / Grandmother | Same word for both; context clarifies. |
| Kawu | kah-woo | Uncle (mother's brother) | |
| Baffan | bah-fahn | Uncle (father's brother) | |
| Inna | in-nah | Aunt (mother's sister) | |
| Miji | mee-jee | Husband | |
| Matar gida | mah-tar-gee-dah | Wife | Lit. "woman of the house" |
| Yaro | yah-roh | Boy / Son | General word for a male young person |
| Iyali | ee-yah-lee | Family / Household | |
| Dangi | dan-gee | Relative / Kinsman | |
| Aboki (m.) / Abokiya (f.) | ah-boh-kee | Friend | |
| Makwabci | mah-kwab-chee | Neighbour | |
| Manya | mah-n-yah | Elders / Respected persons | Plural. Sing: babba (big/elder) |
Hausa Food, Market & Daily Life
Northern Nigerian Hausa cuisine is distinct from southern Nigerian food โ shaped by the Sahel environment, Islamic dietary laws (halal) and centuries of trans-Saharan trade. Grains like millet, sorghum and rice are staples. The market (kasuwa) is the heart of Hausa social and economic life, and Hausa is the language of trade across West and Central Africa.
The "suya" (spiced grilled meat on skewers) that is beloved across Nigeria originated in Hausa culture. Suya men (Suya mai) are typically Hausa or Fulani and carry their trade across Nigeria and beyond. The spice blend (yaji) used for suya โ ground pepper, ginger, kuli-kuli (groundnut cake) โ is a closely guarded recipe. Saying "suya" in Hausa instantly creates goodwill!
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abinci | ah-bin-chee | Food | |
| Ruwa | roo-wah | Water | |
| Shinkafa | shin-kah-fah | Rice | Northern Nigeria staple. |
| Doya | doh-yah | Yam | |
| Gero | geh-roh | Millet | Key grain in the north โ used for fura and tuwo. |
| Hatsi | hat-see | Sorghum / Corn | Also grown widely in the north. |
| Tuwo | too-woh | Tuwo (thick porridge swallow) | Made from millet, sorghum or maize flour. The northern equivalent of fufu. |
| Miyan kuka | mee-yahn-koo-kah | Baobab leaf soup | Eaten with tuwo โ smooth, slimy, nutritious. |
| Miyan taushe | mee-yahn-tow-sheh | Pumpkin soup | |
| Suya | soo-yah | Grilled spiced meat (skewers) | Nigeria's most beloved street food โ from Hausa culture. |
| Fura da nono | foo-rah-dah-noh-noh | Millet balls in yoghurt | Classic Hausa/Fulani food โ cooling and nutritious. |
| Kuli-kuli | koo-lee-koo-lee | Groundnut cake | Made from pressed groundnuts โ crunchy snack. |
| Nama | nah-mah | Meat | |
| Kifi | kee-fee | Fish | |
| Kasuwa | kah-soo-wah | Market | |
| Nawa ne? | nah-wah-neh | How much does it cost? | Essential market phrase. |
| Ka rage min baki | kah-rah-geh-meen-bah-kee | Reduce the price for me | Bargaining phrase. |
| Tsada sosai | tsah-dah-soh-sigh | Too expensive | |
| Yunwa na yi ni | yoon-wah-nah-yee-nee | I am hungry | |
| Yana da daษi | yah-nah-dah-dah-dee | It is delicious |
Hausa Grammar Fundamentals
One of the best things about Hausa for Nigerian learners: it is NOT tonal. This means the pitch of your voice does not change word meanings the way it does in Yoruba or Igbo. Hausa uses a Subject-Verb-Object structure and has a rich system of verb grades (different verb forms for different actions) and grammatical gender for nouns.
Hausa has two grammatical genders โ masculine and feminine โ applied to nouns and pronouns. This can be tricky: "shi" means "he/it (masculine)," while "ita" means "she/it (feminine)." Many nouns that aren't obviously male or female have a grammatical gender that must be memorised. This is similar to French or Spanish gender systems.
| Topic | Rule | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic sentence | S + V + O (same as English) | Aminu ya ci abinci | Aminu ate food |
| Negation | Baโฆ ba wrapping the verb | Aminu bai ci abinci ba | Aminu did not eat food |
| Questions | Add question words OR raise tone at end | Aminu ya ci abinci? | Did Aminu eat food? |
| NOT tonal | No tones to memorise โ huge advantage! | sanu = greeting; sama = sky (no tone confusion) | This makes Hausa much easier to start! |
| Grammatical gender | Masculine (m) and Feminine (f) nouns | Yaro (m) = boy; Yarinya (f) = girl | Affects pronouns and adjectives |
| He/She pronouns | Shi (he/it-m), Ta / Ita (she/it-f) | Shi ya tafi / Ta tafi | He went / She went |
| Present/habitual | Na/ya/ta + verb | Naa ci abinci | I eat food (habitual) |
| Past tense | Na/ya/ta + verb + suffixes | Na ci abinci | I ate food |
| Future tense | Zan / Zai / Za ta + verb | Zan ci abinci | I will eat food |
| Continuous | Ina + verb | Ina cin abinci | I am eating food |
| Possession | Noun + -n (m) / -r (f) + possessor | gidan Aminu | Aminu's house (lit: house-of Aminu) |
| Adjectives | After noun, agree in gender | Yaro mai kyau (m) / Yarinya mai kyau (f) | Beautiful boy / beautiful girl |
| Plural formation | Various patterns: -oyi, -una, -aye, -ai | gidaje (houses), mutane (people) | Irregular โ must memorise common ones |
Hausa Proverbs & Their Meanings
Karin magana (proverbs, lit: "extra words") are the highest form of Hausa oral tradition. Hausa proverbs draw on the pastoral, agricultural and Islamic heritage of northern Nigeria. They are used in formal speeches, everyday conversation, and dispute resolution. Understanding karin magana is the mark of a cultured Hausa speaker.
"Dalilin da yasa mai hankali ya fi mai karfi" โ the reason why the wise surpasses the strong. Hausa intellectual tradition values wisdom, patience and community deeply. These qualities are reflected in the moral teachings embedded in karin magana, many of which parallel Islamic ethical teachings.
| Hausa Proverb | Literal Translation | Real Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Mai hankali ya fi mai karfi | The wise person surpasses the strong | Intelligence beats brute strength. |
| Dutse ba ya tafiya, mai tafiya ne ke zuwa wurinsa | The rock does not travel โ the traveller comes to it | Important things wait; you must go to them. |
| Ba a zuba ruwa a biri a tsammaci ya sha | You don't pour water on a baboon and expect it to drink | Don't waste effort on the wrong approach or wrong person. |
| Gara ka faษa cikin ruwa, ka fita da jika, daga ka faษa ga wuta | Better to fall into water and come out wet, than to fall into fire | A difficult situation is better than a dangerous or destructive one. |
| Kasuwa na yin mutum ya bar kasuwancin shi | The market makes a person forget their business | Distraction makes us forget our purpose. Stay focused. |
| Neman ilmi yafi dukiya | Seeking knowledge is better than wealth | Education and wisdom have more lasting value than money. |
| Duk wanda ya dace da duniya, duniya ta dace da shi | Whoever fits into the world, the world fits them | Those who adapt to life and serve others will find life good to them. |
| Ana son hankali a tsoho, ba a so tsoro | Wisdom is loved in an elder, not cowardice | With age comes the expectation of wisdom, not timidity. |
| Ba karamin abu bane, kalaman manya | The words of elders are not a small matter | Pay attention to wisdom from those with experience. |
| Komai ya fi ta, bai fi ta ba | Whatever seems to exceed it, does not exceed it | Things are often not as extreme as they appear โ remain calm. |
Hausa for WAEC โ Exam Preparation
Hausa is a required WAEC subject for students in northern Nigeria. The exam covers listening comprehension, composition (rubutu), comprehension passages (fahimtar karatu), grammar (nahawu) and literature (adabi). Because Hausa is not tonal, students often find the pronunciation section more manageable than Yoruba or Igbo exams โ but grammar and vocabulary depth are still tested heavily.
WAEC Hausa examiners particularly reward: use of karin magana (proverbs) in compositions, knowledge of Hausa oral literature forms (waka = song/poetry, tatsuniya = folk story), and correct use of the Hausa writing system including the special characters (ฦ, ฦ, ฦ, สผY). These characters represent sounds unique to Hausa.
| WAEC Area | What is Tested | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (Saurayen Magana) | Hear recorded Hausa and answer questions. | Listen to Hausa radio: FRCN Kaduna, Hausa BBC, VOA Hausa. All free online. |
| Composition (Rubutu) | Write in Hausa โ story, description, letter or argument. | Use karin magana (proverbs). Structure: Sa-girma (intro), Jiki (body), Kammalawa (conclusion). |
| Comprehension (Fahimtar Karatu) | Read a Hausa passage, answer in Hausa. | Always answer in full Hausa sentences. Use key words from the passage in your answers. |
| Grammar (Nahawu) | Parts of speech, verb grades, pronouns, gender. | Learn: Suna (noun), Aikatau (verb), Siffar suna (adjective), Bayanin aikatau (adverb). |
| Proverbs (Karin Magana) | Explain meaning of given proverbs. | Memorise 15+ karin magana with full explanations. See our proverbs section above. |
| Hausa Literature (Adabi) | Questions on prescribed Hausa texts, tatsuniya, waka. | Read prescribed texts. Know themes, characters, moral lessons (ladabi). |
| Special characters | ฦ (implosive d), ฦ (ejective k), ฦ (implosive b), สผY (glottalised y) | These represent unique Hausa sounds. Write them correctly โ WAEC marks dock for wrong characters. |
| Cultural knowledge | Hausa customs, traditional leadership, festivals. | Know: Sarki (king/emir), Durbar, Sallah festival, Gidan sarki (emir's palace), Argungu Fishing Festival. |
| Common errors | Wrong pronoun-noun gender agreement, wrong verb grade. | Study the 7 Hausa verb grades. Grade 1 (eat) vs Grade 2 (eat for/to someone) are very different! |