Learning Hausa: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Hausa course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Hausa is like
Hausa uses Subject–Verb–Object order: Ina son ruwa = I (subject) want (verb) water (object). Nouns have gender (masculine/feminine). The linking word na means "of" for masculine nouns and ta for feminine, e.g. gida (house, masculine). Hausa is written in Latin letters but adds special ones for the implosive/clipped sounds: ɓ, ɗ, ƙ, the glottalized 'y, and the ejective ts.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Hausa uses a few special Latin letters for sounds English doesn't have. Nail the implosives and glottalized letters and you'll sound far more natural.
- ɓ — implosive b — a "b" drawn inward, with a small catch, as in ɓangare = part.
- ɗ — implosive d — like "d" but with a throaty catch, as in ɗa = child · ɗaya = one.
- ƙ — implosive k — a "k" squeezed deeper in the throat, as in ƙasa = earth · ƙauye = village.
- 'y — glottalized y — a "y" with a quick catch in the throat, as in 'ya = daughter · 'ya'ya = children.
- ts — an ejective "ts" — sharp and clipped, as in tsoro = fear · tsuntsu = bird.
- sh — like "sh" in shoe, as in shayi = tea · sha = drink.
- kw — a "k" with rounded lips, as in kwai = egg.
- r — a light rolled r, as in ruwa = water · Kano.
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Hausa | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sannu | SAN-noo | Hello |
| Barka da safiya | BAR-kah dah sah-FEE-yah | Good morning |
| Barka da yamma | BAR-kah dah YAM-mah | Good evening |
| Ina kwana? | EE-nah KWAH-nah | How are you? |
| Sannu da zuwa | SAN-noo dah ZOO-wah | Welcome |
| Sai gobe | sai GOH-beh | See you tomorrow |
| Don Allah | don AH-lah | Please |
| Na gode | nah GOH-deh | Thank you |
| Na gode sosai | nah GOH-deh soh-SAI | Thanks a lot |
| Iya | EE-yah | Yes |
| A'a | AH-ah | No |
| Afan | ah-FAHN | Excuse me |
| Ɗaya | DAH-yah | 1 |
| Biyu | BEE-yoo | 2 |
| Uku | OO-koo | 3 |
| Huɗu | HOO-doo | 4 |
| Biyar | BEE-yar | 5 |
| Goma | GOH-mah | 10 |
| Abinci | ah-BIN-chee | food |
| Ruwa | ROO-wah | water |
| Nama | NAH-mah | meat |
| Kofi | KOH-fee | coffee |
| Shayi | SHAH-yee | tea |
| Burodi | boo-ROH-dee | bread |
| Ina ne...? | EE-nah neh | Where is...? |
| Dama | DAH-mah | to the right |
| Hagu | HAH-goo | to the left |
| Kasuwa | kah-SOO-wah | the market |
| Tasha | TAH-shah | the station |
| Nawa ne? | NAH-wah neh | how much is it? |
How the Hausa course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & being polite — sannu · ina kwana? · na gode · don Allah
- Numbers 1–10 — ɗaya · biyu · uku · goma
- I want" — ina son — ina son · don Allah · ina bukatar
- Food & drink — abinci · ruwa · kofi · nama
- Getting around — ina ne? · dama · hagu · kasuwa
- Questions & "do you have…?" — kana da? · akwai · menene
- Family & people — iyali · uwa · uba · aboki
- Time, days & weather — yau · gobe · rana · yanayi
- Your name — sunana · menene sunanka? · ni ... ne
- Health & emergency — taimako! · likita · asibiti · ba na gane ba
- Describing things — mai kyau · babba · karami · sosai
- Tying it together — greetings · ordering · directions · thanks
- Airport & tickets — filin jirgin sama · fasfo · tikiti · ƙofa
- The taxi — tasi · je · otal · tsaya nan
- The hotel — ajiye wuri · ɗaki · mabuɗi · dare
- Ask for help — ba na gane ba · a hankali · Turanci
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & being polite
Key pieces: sannu · ina kwana? · na gode · don Allah
Start with the word you'll use everywhere: sannu — hello. Say it warmly.
- sannu (SAN-noo) — hello
- ina kwana? (EE-nah KWAH-nah) — how did you sleep? (morning hello)
- barka da safiya (BAR-kah dah sah-FEE-yah) — good morning
- na gode (nah GOH-deh) — thank you
- don Allah (don AH-lah) — please
To say “Hello, thank you” in Hausa: Sannu, na gode (SAN-noo, nah GOH-deh). Built from sannu = hello; na gode = thank you.
The morning greeting ina kwana? literally means "how did you sleep?". Reply with lafiya — fine/healthy (from Arabic).
- ina kwana? (EE-nah KWAH-nah) — how are you? (morning)
- lafiya (lah-FEE-yah) — fine / healthy Memory hook: ≈ Arabic 'āfiya.
- barka da yamma (BAR-kah dah YAM-mah) — good evening
- sannu da zuwa (SAN-noo dah ZOO-wah) — welcome
To say “How are you? Fine, thanks.” in Hausa: Ina kwana? Lafiya, na gode. (EE-nah KWAH-nah? lah-FEE-yah, nah GOH-deh). Built from ina kwana? = how are you?; lafiya = fine; na gode = thank you.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: ɗaya · biyu · uku · goma
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: ɗaya, biyu, uku .
- ɗaya (DAH-yah) — 1
- biyu (BEE-yoo) — 2
- uku (OO-koo) — 3
- huɗu (HOO-doo) — 4
- biyar (BEE-yar) — 5
- goma (GOH-mah) — 10
To say “Two waters, please” in Hausa: Ruwa biyu, don Allah (ROO-wah BEE-yoo, don AH-lah). Built from ruwa = water; biyu = two; don Allah = please.
To ask a price: Nawa ne? — how much is it? A shopping essential.
To say “How much is it?” in Hausa: Nawa ne? (NAH-wah neh?). Built from nawa = how much; ne = is (it).
To say “It's five naira” in Hausa: Naira biyar (NY-rah BEE-yar). Built from naira = naira (money); biyar = five.
I want" — ina son
Key pieces: ina son · don Allah · ina bukatar
The phrase to ask for anything: Ina son — I want. Add don Allah (please) to be polite.
- ina son (EE-nah son) — I want
- ina bukatar (EE-nah boo-KAH-tar) — I need
- don Allah (don AH-lah) — please
- lafiya (lah-FEE-yah) — fine
To say “I want water” in Hausa: Ina son ruwa (EE-nah son ROO-wah). Built from ina son = I want; ruwa = water.
To say “I want food” in Hausa: Ina son abinci (EE-nah son ah-BIN-chee). Built from ina son = I want; abinci = food.
The linking word na means 'of' for masculine nouns, ta for feminine. gida (house) is masculine → gidan.
To say “I need help” in Hausa: Ina bukatar taimako (EE-nah boo-KAH-tar tai-MAH-koh). Built from ina bukatar = I need; taimako = help.
Food & drink
Key pieces: abinci · ruwa · kofi · nama
Eating out? Key words: abinci (food), ruwa (water), nama (meat).
- abinci (ah-BIN-chee) — food
- ruwa (ROO-wah) — water
- nama (NAH-mah) — meat
- kofi (KOH-fee) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
- shayi (SHAH-yee) — tea Memory hook: ≈ Arabic/English tea.
- burodi (boo-ROH-dee) — bread Memory hook: ≈ English bread.
To say “I want food and water” in Hausa: Ina son abinci da ruwa (EE-nah son ah-BIN-chee dah ROO-wah). Built from ina son = I want; abinci = food; da = and; ruwa = water.
To say “I want a coffee, please” in Hausa: Ina son kofi, don Allah (EE-nah son KOH-fee, don AH-lah). Built from ina son = I want; kofi = coffee; don Allah = please.
To say something tastes great: abin yayi daɗi — it's delicious. Literally "the thing became sweet".
To say “It's delicious!” in Hausa: Abin yayi daɗi! (AH-bin YAH-yee DAH-dee). Built from abin = the thing; yayi daɗi = became sweet / delicious.
Getting around
Key pieces: ina ne? · dama · hagu · kasuwa
The most useful question anywhere: Ina ne …? — where is …?
- ina ne...? (EE-nah neh) — where is...?
- dama (DAH-mah) — to the right
- hagu (HAH-goo) — to the left
- kasuwa (kah-SOO-wah) — the market
- tasha (TAH-shah) — the station / stop Memory hook: ≈ English stop.
- asibiti (ah-see-BEE-tee) — the hospital Memory hook: ≈ English hospital.
To say “Where is the market?” in Hausa: Ina ne kasuwa? (EE-nah neh kah-SOO-wah). Built from ina ne = where is; kasuwa = the market.
To say “Where is the hospital?” in Hausa: Ina ne asibiti? (EE-nah neh ah-see-BEE-tee). Built from ina ne = where is; asibiti = hospital.
dama and hagu tell you which way. 'Straight ahead' is kai tsaye .
To say “Straight ahead” in Hausa: Kai tsaye (KY TSAY-eh). Built from kai tsaye = straight ahead.
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: kana da? · akwai · menene
To ask if someone has something: Kana da…? (to a male) or Kina da…? (to a female).
To say “Do you have a table?” in Hausa: Kana da tebur? (KAH-nah dah TAY-boor). Built from kana da = do you have; tebur = table.
Akwai…? = is there…? Very handy for asking what's around.
To say “Is there water?” in Hausa: Akwai ruwa? (ah-KWAI ROO-wah). Built from akwai = is there; ruwa = water.
Question words: menene (what), wane (which), nawa (how much), ina (where).
To say “What is this?” in Hausa: Menene wannan? (meh-neh-NEH WAN-nan). Built from menene = what; wannan = this.
Family & people
Key pieces: iyali · uwa · uba · aboki
Family words: iyali (family), uwa (mother), uba (father).
- iyali (ee-YAH-lee) — family
- uwa (OO-wah) — mother
- uba (OO-bah) — father
- aboki (ah-BOH-kee) — friend
- yara (YAH-rah) — children
To say “I have a friend” in Hausa: Ina da aboki (EE-nah dah ah-BOH-kee). Built from ina da = I have; aboki = friend.
Ina da = I have. It's how you say what you've got.
To say “I have a family” in Hausa: Ina da iyali (EE-nah dah ee-YAH-lee). Built from ina da = I have; iyali = family.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: yau · gobe · rana · yanayi
Today is yau , tomorrow is gobe .
- yau (yow) — today
- gobe (GOH-beh) — tomorrow
- yanzu (YAN-zoo) — now
- rana (RAH-nah) — sun / day
- Juma'a (joo-MAH-ah) — Friday Memory hook: ≈ Arabic jumu'a.
To say “See you tomorrow” in Hausa: Sai gobe (sai GOH-beh). Built from sai = until / see you; gobe = tomorrow.
Ask about the weather: Yaya yanayi? — how's the weather?
To say “It's raining” in Hausa: Ana ruwan sama (AH-nah ROO-wan SAH-mah). Built from ana ruwan sama = it is raining.
Your name
Key pieces: sunana · menene sunanka? · ni ... ne
Introduce yourself: Sunana … — my name is …, then say your name. Ni = I.
To say “My name is Alex” in Hausa: Sunana Alex ne (soo-NAH-nah Alex neh). Built from sunana = my name; ne = is (it).
To ask someone's name: Menene sunanka? (to a male) or sunanki? (to a female).
To say “What's your name?” in Hausa: Menene sunanka? (meh-neh-NEH soo-NAHN-kah). Built from menene = what; sunanka = your name.
To say “Pleased to meet you” in Hausa: Na yi farin ciki (nah yee FAH-rin CHEE-kee). Built from na yi farin ciki = I'm pleased.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: taimako! · likita · asibiti · ba na gane ba
The most important words if you need help: Taimako! (help!), likita (doctor), asibiti (hospital).
- Taimako! (tai-MAH-koh) — help!
- likita (lee-KEE-tah) — doctor Memory hook: ≈ Arabic/English doctor.
- asibiti (ah-see-BEE-tee) — hospital Memory hook: ≈ English hospital.
- Ba na gane ba (bah nah GAH-neh bah) — I don't understand
To say “Help!” in Hausa: Taimako! (tai-MAH-koh). Built from taimako = help.
To say “I don't understand” in Hausa: Ba na gane ba (bah nah GAH-neh bah). Built from ba na gane ba = I don't understand.
Ina bukatar taimako = I need help.
To say “I need help” in Hausa: Ina bukatar taimako (EE-nah boo-KAH-tar tai-MAH-koh). Built from ina bukatar = I need; taimako = help.
Describing things
Key pieces: mai kyau · babba · karami · sosai
Appearance words are handy: mai kyau (beautiful/good), babba (big), karami (small).
- mai kyau (my KYA-oo) — beautiful / good
- babba (BAHB-bah) — big
- karami (kah-RAH-mee) — small
- sosai (soh-SAI) — very / a lot
To say “Very good” in Hausa: Yayi kyau sosai (YAH-yee KYA-oo soh-SAI). Built from yayi kyau = it is good; sosai = very.
To say “A big house” in Hausa: Babban gida (BAHB-ban GEE-dah). Built from babban = big; gida = house.
Tying it together
Key pieces: greetings · ordering · directions · thanks
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Hausa: Sannu, ina kwana? (SAN-noo, EE-nah KWAH-nah). Built from sannu = hello; ina kwana? = how are you?.
To say “I want a water, please” in Hausa: Ina son ruwa, don Allah (EE-nah son ROO-wah, don AH-lah). Built from ina son = I want; ruwa = water; don Allah = please.
To say “Where is the market?” in Hausa: Ina ne kasuwa? (EE-nah neh kah-SOO-wah). Built from ina ne = where is; kasuwa = market.
To say “How much is it?” in Hausa: Nawa ne? (NAH-wah neh?). Built from nawa ne? = how much is it?.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: filin jirgin sama · fasfo · tikiti · ƙofa
You have landed. The building is the filin jirgin sama . Your document is a fasfo .
- filin jirgin sama (FEE-lin JEER-gin SAH-mah) — airport
- fasfo (FAS-foh) — passport
- tikiti (tee-KEE-tee) — ticket
- jirgi (JEER-gee) — flight / plane
- ƙofa (KOH-fah) — gate / door
To say “Where is the airport?” in Hausa: Ina ne filin jirgin sama? (EE-nah neh FEE-lin JEER-gin SAH-mah). Built from ina ne = where is; filin jirgin sama = airport.
To say “Here is my passport” in Hausa: Ga fasfona (gah fas-FOH-nah). Built from ga = here is; fasfona = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Hausa: Tikiti ɗaya, don Allah (tee-KEE-tee DAH-yah, don AH-lah). Built from tikiti = ticket; ɗaya = one; don Allah = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Hausa: Ina ne ƙofa? (EE-nah neh KOH-fah). Built from ina ne = where is; ƙofa = gate.
The taxi
Key pieces: tasi · je · otal · tsaya nan
The driver is waiting. Tasi is taxi. Tell them where to go with ina so in je .
- tasi (TAH-see) — taxi
- direba (dee-REH-bah) — driver
- ina so in je (EE-nah so in jeh) — I want to go
- tsaya nan (TSAH-yah nan) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Hausa: Tasi, don Allah (TAH-see, don AH-lah). Built from tasi = taxi; don Allah = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Hausa: Ina so in je otal (EE-nah so in jeh oh-TAHL). Built from ina so in je = I want to go; otal = hotel.
To say “Stop here, please” in Hausa: Tsaya nan, don Allah (TSAH-yah nan, don AH-lah). Built from tsaya nan = stop here; don Allah = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Hausa: Nawa ne? (NAH-wah neh?). Built from nawa = how much; ne = is (it).
The hotel
Key pieces: ajiye wuri · ɗaki · mabuɗi · dare
At the desk: ina da ajiye wuri — I have a reservation.
- otal (oh-TAHL) — hotel
- ajiye wuri (ah-JEE-yeh WOO-ree) — reservation
- ɗaki (DAH-kee) — room
- mabuɗi (mah-BOO-dee) — key
- dare ɗaya (DAH-reh DAH-yah) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Hausa: Ina da ajiye wuri (EE-nah dah ah-JEE-yeh WOO-ree). Built from ina da = I have; ajiye wuri = reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Hausa: Ɗaki na dare ɗaya, don Allah (DAH-kee nah DAH-reh DAH-yah, don AH-lah). Built from ɗaki = room; na dare ɗaya = for one night; don Allah = please.
To say “The key, please” in Hausa: Mabuɗi, don Allah (mah-BOO-dee, don AH-lah). Built from mabuɗi = key; don Allah = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Hausa: Ina ne ɗakina? (EE-nah neh dah-KEE-nah). Built from ina ne = where is; ɗakina = my room.
Ask for help
Key pieces: ba na gane ba · a hankali · Turanci
When the language is too fast: A hankali, don Allah — slower, please.
- a hankali (ah han-KAH-lee) — slower / gently
- kuma (KOO-mah) — again
- Turanci (too-RAHN-chee) — English
- za ka iya taimakawa? (zah kah EE-yah tai-mah-KAH-wah) — can you help?
To say “I don't understand” in Hausa: Ba na gane ba (bah nah GAH-neh bah). Built from ba … ba = not; na gane = I understand.
To say “Slower, please” in Hausa: A hankali, don Allah (ah han-KAH-lee, don AH-lah). Built from a hankali = slower; don Allah = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Hausa: Za ka iya taimaka mini? (zah kah EE-yah tai-MAH-kah MEE-nee). Built from za ka iya = can you; taimaka = help; mini = me.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Hausa: Kana jin Turanci? (KAH-nah jin too-RAHN-chee). Built from kana jin = do you speak; Turanci = English.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- ina kwana? (EE-nah KWAH-nah): morning hello.
Culture and etiquette
Greeting is a ritual
A Hausa greeting is more than a "hello". You shake hands and ask about health, family and work, and the other person returns the favour. Never rush straight to business — the greeting comes first.
A lot of Arabic
Because of religion and trade, Hausa borrowed many Arabic words: lafiya (health), salla (prayer), assalamu alaikum (peace be upon you). Knowing Arabic root words unlocks loads of Hausa.
Tea & hospitality
Sweet, milky shayi (tea) is the heart of hospitality, poured in little glasses. A guest is often offered tea or goro (kola nut); accepting is a sign of respect.
Family and elders
Respect for elders runs deep. Greet older people first and use their title, and show deference with the word yaya (a respectful term for an elder). Family and community come before the individual.
Bargaining at the market
At the kasuwa (market), haggling is expected. Ask nawa ne? (how much?), counter politely, and enjoy the friendly back-and-forth — it's part of the experience.
Faith shapes the day
Prayer times structure daily life, and on Friday (Juma'a) many things pause for midday prayer. Be aware of the rhythm and you'll fit right in.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: Sannu! Ina son kofi, don Allah. (SAN-noo, EE-nah son KOH-fee, don AH-lah) — Hello! I want a coffee, please.
Barista: Na gode. Da madara? (nah GOH-deh, dah mah-DAH-rah) — Thank you. With milk?
You: Iya, da madara, na gode. (EE-yah, dah mah-DAH-rah, nah GOH-deh) — Yes, with milk, thank you.
Barista: Ga shi. Naira biyar. (gah shee, NY-rah BEE-yar) — Here it is. Five naira.
You: Na gode sosai! (nah GOH-deh soh-SAI) — Thanks a lot!
Getting around
You: Afan, ina ne tasha? (ah-FAHN, EE-nah neh TAH-shah) — Excuse me, where is the station?
Local: A dama, a can. (ah DAH-mah, ah chan) — On the right, over there.
You: Na gode. Tiku daya zuwa Kano, don Allah. (nah GOH-deh, TEE-koo DAH-yah ZOO-wah KAH-noh, don AH-lah) — Thanks. One ticket to Kano, please.
Ticket: Naira goma. Motar tana nan. (NY-rah GOH-mah, MOH-tar TAH-nah nan) — Ten naira. The bus is here.
At a restaurant
Waiter: Barka da yamma! Ga tebur. (BAR-kah dah YAM-mah, gah TAY-boor) — Good evening! Here's a table.
You: Na gode. Ina son nama da ruwa, don Allah. (nah GOH-deh, EE-nah son NAH-mah dah ROO-wah, don AH-lah) — Thank you. I want meat and water, please.
Waiter: Ga abincinka. Daɗi! (gah ah-BIN-chin-kah, DAH-dee) — Here's your food. Enjoy!
You: Abin yayi daɗi! Na gode sosai! (AH-bin YAH-yee DAH-dee, nah GOH-deh soh-SAI) — It's delicious! Thanks a lot!
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.