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Welcome to Lesson 23 of the Latinum Institute Modern Hausa Course. This lesson focuses on amma (أمَّا), the essential adversative conjunction meaning “but” in English. As a coordinating conjunction expressing contrast, “amma” is one of the most frequently used words in Hausa, connecting clauses or sentences to signal opposition, exception, or unexpected turns. Borrowed from Arabic (أمّا), this conjunction has been fully integrated into Hausa for centuries and appears throughout both spoken conversation and literary texts.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
What does “amma” mean in Hausa?
“Amma” (pronounced /àmmáː/) is the Hausa conjunction equivalent to English “but.” It introduces a contrasting statement, marking that what follows differs from, opposes, or qualifies what preceded. Whether expressing simple opposition (”I wanted to go, but I stayed”) or more nuanced contrast (”He is young, but wise”), “amma” serves as the primary linguistic bridge between opposing ideas in Hausa discourse.
In this lesson, you will encounter “amma” in 30 carefully constructed examples demonstrating its use in simple contrasts, complex sentences, emphatic constructions (with “kuma,” “sai dai”), and across various registers. The lesson presents both Boko (the Latin-based official orthography) and Ajami (the traditional Arabic-based script), allowing learners to engage with Hausa’s rich dual-script heritage.
Boko Script (Latin-based): The official modern orthography adopted in the 1930s. Features special characters: ɓ (implosive b), ɗ (implosive d), ƙ (ejective k), ʼy (glottalized y). Written left-to-right.
Ajami Script (Arabic-based): Traditional script used since the 17th century. Unlike standard Arabic, Hausa Ajami retains all vowel diacritics for clarity. Written right-to-left. Special letters include چ (c), ڟ (ts), ݣ (g), and غ (gh).
Note on Format: Line (a) presents Boko with glossing; line (b) presents Ajami with romanization and glossing.
Key Takeaways
Understanding “amma” is essential for expressing contrast, contradiction, and qualification in Hausa. This conjunction allows speakers to acknowledge one reality while introducing another that modifies or opposes it—a fundamental rhetorical structure in any language. “Amma” can stand alone or combine with particles like “kuma” (also) or “sai dai” (however/except) for nuanced contrast.
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23.1a Ina I-CONT so want tafiya going amma but ruwa rain yana it-CONT zuwa coming
23.1b إِنَ (ina) I-CONT سُو (so) want تَفِيَ (tafiya) going أمَّا (amma) but رُوَا (ruwa) rain يَنَ (yana) it-CONT زُوَا (zuwa) coming
23.2a Ya he-PERF yi do aiki work amma but bai he-NEG-PERF gaji tire ba NEG
23.2b يَ (ya) he-PERF يِ (yi) do أَيْكِ (aiki) work أمَّا (amma) but بَيْ (bai) he-NEG-PERF گَجِ (gaji) tire بَ (ba) NEG
23.3a Gidan house-of nan this yana it-CONT da with kyau beauty amma but ya it-PERF yi do tsada expensive
23.3b گِدَنْ (gidan) house-of نَنْ (nan) this يَنَ (yana) it-CONT دَ (da) with كْيَوْ (kyau) beauty أمَّا (amma) but يَ (ya) it-PERF يِ (yi) do ڟَدَ (tsada) expensive
23.4a Sun they-PERF zo come amma but ban I-NEG-PERF gan see su them ba NEG
23.4b سُنْ (sun) they-PERF زُو (zo) come أمَّا (amma) but بَنْ (ban) I-NEG-PERF گَنْ (gan) see سُ (su) them بَ (ba) NEG
23.5a Yana he-CONT da with ƙarfi strength amma but ba NEG shi he da with hikima wisdom ba NEG
23.5b يَنَ (yana) he-CONT دَ (da) with قَرْفِ (ƙarfi) strength أمَّا (amma) but بَ (ba) NEG شِ (shi) he دَ (da) with حِكِمَ (hikima) wisdom بَ (ba) NEG
23.6a Mun we-PERF shirya prepare abinci food amma but baƙi guests ba NEG su they-PERF zo come ba NEG
23.6b مُنْ (mun) we-PERF شِرْيَ (shirya) prepare أَبِنْچِ (abinci) food أمَّا (amma) but بَقِ (baƙi) guests بَ (ba) NEG سُ (su) they-PERF زُو (zo) come بَ (ba) NEG
23.7a Ita she kyakkyawa beautiful ce COP.F amma but ba NEG ta she da with hankali sense ba NEG
23.7b إِتَ (ita) she كْيَكْيَوَ (kyakkyawa) beautiful چَ (ce) COP.F أمَّا (amma) but بَ (ba) NEG تَ (ta) she دَ (da) with هَنْكَلِ (hankali) sense بَ (ba) NEG
23.8a Na I-PERF karanta read littafin book-the amma but ban I-NEG-PERF gane understand shi it ba NEG
23.8b نَ (na) I-PERF كَرَنْتَ (karanta) read لِتَّفِنْ (littafin) book-the أمَّا (amma) but بَنْ (ban) I-NEG-PERF گَنَ (gane) understand شِ (shi) it بَ (ba) NEG
23.9a Yau today rana sun tana it.F-CONT da with zafi heat amma but iska wind tana it.F-CONT kadawa blowing
23.9b يَوْ (yau) today رَنَ (rana) sun تَنَ (tana) it.F-CONT دَ (da) with زَفِ (zafi) heat أمَّا (amma) but إِسْكَ (iska) wind تَنَ (tana) it.F-CONT كَدَوَ (kadawa) blowing
23.10a Ya he-PERF yi do alƙawari promise amma but bai he-NEG-PERF cika fulfill shi it ba NEG
23.10b يَ (ya) he-PERF يِ (yi) do أَلْقَوَرِ (alƙawari) promise أمَّا (amma) but بَيْ (bai) he-NEG-PERF چِكَ (cika) fulfill شِ (shi) it بَ (ba) NEG
23.11a Muna we-CONT son wanting taimako help amma but ba NEG mu we da with kuɗi money ba NEG
23.11b مُنَ (muna) we-CONT سُونْ (son) wanting تَيْمَكُو (taimako) help أمَّا (amma) but بَ (ba) NEG مُ (mu) we دَ (da) with كُضِ (kuɗi) money بَ (ba) NEG
23.12a Yaron boy-the nan this ƙarami small ne COP.M amma but ya he-PERF san know abubuwa things da COMP yawa many
23.12b يَرُونْ (yaron) boy-the نَنْ (nan) this قَرَمِ (ƙarami) small نَ (ne) COP.M أمَّا (amma) but يَ (ya) he-PERF سَنْ (san) know أَبُبُوَ (abubuwa) things دَ (da) COMP يَوَ (yawa) many
23.13a Tana she-CONT da with wayo cleverness amma but kuma also tana she-CONT da with ƙarya lie
23.13b تَنَ (tana) she-CONT دَ (da) with وَيُو (wayo) cleverness أمَّا (amma) but كُمَ (kuma) also تَنَ (tana) she-CONT دَ (da) with قَرْيَ (ƙarya) lie
23.14a Na I-PERF ga see hatsari accident amma but sai but dai only Allah God ya he-PERF kiyaye protect ni me
23.14b نَ (na) I-PERF گَ (ga) see هَڟَرِ (hatsari) accident أمَّا (amma) but سَيْ (sai) but دَيْ (dai) only اللهُ (Allah) God يَ (ya) he-PERF كِيَيَ (kiyaye) protect نِ (ni) me
23.15a Labarin story-the mai having ban causing sha’awa interest ne COP.M amma but mai having tsawo length ne COP.M sosai very
23.15b لَبَرِنْ (labarin) story-the مَيْ (mai) having بَنْ (ban) causing شَعَوَ (sha’awa) interest نَ (ne) COP.M أمَّا (amma) but مَيْ (mai) having ڟَوُو (tsawo) length نَ (ne) COP.M سُوسَيْ (sosai) very
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23.1 Ina so tafiya amma ruwa yana zuwa. إِنَ سُو تَفِيَ أمَّا رُوَا يَنَ زُوَا “I want to go but rain is coming.”
23.2 Ya yi aiki amma bai gaji ba. يَ يِ أَيْكِ أمَّا بَيْ گَجِ بَ “He worked but he didn’t get tired.”
23.3 Gidan nan yana da kyau amma ya yi tsada. گِدَنْ نَنْ يَنَ دَ كْيَوْ أمَّا يَ يِ ڟَدَ “This house is beautiful but it is expensive.”
23.4 Sun zo amma ban gan su ba. سُنْ زُو أمَّا بَنْ گَنْ سُ بَ “They came but I didn’t see them.”
23.5 Yana da ƙarfi amma ba shi da hikima ba. يَنَ دَ قَرْفِ أمَّا بَ شِ دَ حِكِمَ بَ “He has strength but he doesn’t have wisdom.”
23.6 Mun shirya abinci amma baƙi ba su zo ba. مُنْ شِرْيَ أَبِنْچِ أمَّا بَقِ بَ سُ زُو بَ “We prepared food but the guests didn’t come.”
23.7 Ita kyakkyawa ce amma ba ta da hankali ba. إِتَ كْيَكْيَوَ چَ أمَّا بَ تَ دَ هَنْكَلِ بَ “She is beautiful but she has no sense.”
23.8 Na karanta littafin amma ban gane shi ba. نَ كَرَنْتَ لِتَّفِنْ أمَّا بَنْ گَنَ شِ بَ “I read the book but I didn’t understand it.”
23.9 Yau rana tana da zafi amma iska tana kadawa. يَوْ رَنَ تَنَ دَ زَفِ أمَّا إِسْكَ تَنَ كَدَوَ “Today the sun is hot but the wind is blowing.”
23.10 Ya yi alƙawari amma bai cika shi ba. يَ يِ أَلْقَوَرِ أمَّا بَيْ چِكَ شِ بَ “He made a promise but he didn’t fulfill it.”
23.11 Muna son taimako amma ba mu da kuɗi ba. مُنَ سُونْ تَيْمَكُو أمَّا بَ مُ دَ كُضِ بَ “We want to help but we don’t have money.”
23.12 Yaron nan ƙarami ne amma ya san abubuwa da yawa. يَرُونْ نَنْ قَرَمِ نَ أمَّا يَ سَنْ أَبُبُوَ دَ يَوَ “This boy is small but he knows many things.”
23.13 Tana da wayo amma kuma tana da ƙarya. تَنَ دَ وَيُو أمَّا كُمَ تَنَ دَ قَرْيَ “She is clever but she is also deceitful.”
23.14 Na ga hatsari amma sai dai Allah ya kiyaye ni. نَ گَ هَڟَرِ أمَّا سَيْ دَيْ اللهُ يَ كِيَيَ نِ “I saw an accident but thank God, He protected me.”
23.15 Labarin mai ban sha’awa ne amma mai tsawo ne sosai. لَبَرِنْ مَيْ بَنْ شَعَوَ نَ أمَّا مَيْ ڟَوُو نَ سُوسَيْ “The story is interesting but it is very long.”
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23.1 Ina so tafiya amma ruwa yana zuwa. إِنَ سُو تَفِيَ أمَّا رُوَا يَنَ زُوَا
23.2 Ya yi aiki amma bai gaji ba. يَ يِ أَيْكِ أمَّا بَيْ گَجِ بَ
23.3 Gidan nan yana da kyau amma ya yi tsada. گِدَنْ نَنْ يَنَ دَ كْيَوْ أمَّا يَ يِ ڟَدَ
23.4 Sun zo amma ban gan su ba. سُنْ زُو أمَّا بَنْ گَنْ سُ بَ
23.5 Yana da ƙarfi amma ba shi da hikima ba. يَنَ دَ قَرْفِ أمَّا بَ شِ دَ حِكِمَ بَ
23.6 Mun shirya abinci amma baƙi ba su zo ba. مُنْ شِرْيَ أَبِنْچِ أمَّا بَقِ بَ سُ زُو بَ
23.7 Ita kyakkyawa ce amma ba ta da hankali ba. إِتَ كْيَكْيَوَ چَ أمَّا بَ تَ دَ هَنْكَلِ بَ
23.8 Na karanta littafin amma ban gane shi ba. نَ كَرَنْتَ لِتَّفِنْ أمَّا بَنْ گَنَ شِ بَ
23.9 Yau rana tana da zafi amma iska tana kadawa. يَوْ رَنَ تَنَ دَ زَفِ أمَّا إِسْكَ تَنَ كَدَوَ
23.10 Ya yi alƙawari amma bai cika shi ba. يَ يِ أَلْقَوَرِ أمَّا بَيْ چِكَ شِ بَ
23.11 Muna son taimako amma ba mu da kuɗi ba. مُنَ سُونْ تَيْمَكُو أمَّا بَ مُ دَ كُضِ بَ
23.12 Yaron nan ƙarami ne amma ya san abubuwa da yawa. يَرُونْ نَنْ قَرَمِ نَ أمَّا يَ سَنْ أَبُبُوَ دَ يَوَ
23.13 Tana da wayo amma kuma tana da ƙarya. تَنَ دَ وَيُو أمَّا كُمَ تَنَ دَ قَرْيَ
23.14 Na ga hatsari amma sai dai Allah ya kiyaye ni. نَ گَ هَڟَرِ أمَّا سَيْ دَيْ اللهُ يَ كِيَيَ نِ
23.15 Labarin mai ban sha’awa ne amma mai tsawo ne sosai. لَبَرِنْ مَيْ بَنْ شَعَوَ نَ أمَّا مَيْ ڟَوُو نَ سُوسَيْ
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These are the grammar rules for amma (but).
Basic Function
“Amma” is a coordinating conjunction that introduces contrast or opposition between two clauses or sentences. It signals that what follows differs from, contradicts, or qualifies what preceded. Like English “but,” it creates an adversative relationship between ideas.
Position and Structure
“Amma” typically appears at the beginning of the contrasting clause, after a complete statement. The basic pattern is:
Statement 1 + amma + Statement 2 (contrasting)
Both clauses maintain standard Hausa SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) word order. The conjunction does not alter the grammatical structure of either clause.
Tense-Aspect-Mood Markers
Hausa verbs are preceded by TAM (Tense-Aspect-Mood) markers fused with subject pronouns. “Amma” connects clauses with any TAM markers:
Perfective: ya yi (he did) → Ya yi aiki amma bai gaji ba. Continuative: yana yi (he is doing) → Yana aiki amma ba ya gajiya. Future: zai yi (he will do) → Zai zo amma ba zai zauna ba.
Negation Patterns
When the contrasting clause is negative, Hausa uses the ba...ba frame around the verb phrase:
Affirmative: Ya zo. (He came.) Negative: Bai zo ba. (He didn’t come.) Contrast: Mun yi kira amma bai zo ba. (We called but he didn’t come.)
Intensified Contrast
“Amma” can combine with other particles for stronger or more nuanced contrast:
Amma kuma (but also/but moreover): Adds emphasis or introduces an additional contrasting point. Example: Yana da wayo amma kuma yana da ƙarya. (He is clever but he is also deceitful.)
Amma sai dai (but however/but only): Introduces an exception or stronger qualification. Example: Na so zuwa amma sai dai ba ni da lokaci. (I wanted to come but I just didn’t have time.)
Amma fa (but indeed): Emphatic contrast. Example: Yana ƙarami ne amma fa ya san komai. (He is small but indeed he knows everything.)
Pronunciation
“Amma” is pronounced /àmmáː/ with: -
Low tone on the first syllable (à) -
High tone on the second syllable (má) -
Geminated (doubled) ‘m’ consonant -
Long final vowel
The geminated ‘m’ is essential for correct pronunciation and is represented in Ajami with a shadda (ّ) diacritic.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the second “ba” in negative clauses: Students may write “bai zo” instead of “bai zo ba.” Always complete the negation frame.
Using wrong TAM markers: Ensure subject pronouns match: “Ya zo amma bai zo ba” (not “Ya zo amma ban zo ba” unless the subject changes).
Omitting gemination: Pronouncing “ama” instead of “amma” may cause confusion with other words. The doubled ‘m’ is distinctive.
Overusing “amma”: In flowing narrative, Hausa speakers often use other devices for contrast. Reserve “amma” for clear opposition rather than every transition.
Grammatical Summary
Amma (أمَّا): Coordinating adversative conjunction meaning “but” Position: Clause-initial in the contrasting clause Pronunciation: /àmmáː/ (low-high tone, geminated m) Combinations: amma kuma (but also), amma sai dai (but however), amma fa (but indeed) Origin: Arabic loanword (أمّا)
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Rhetorical Importance
Contrast and qualification are central to Hausa discourse patterns. Whether in formal debate, market negotiation, or storytelling, the ability to acknowledge one position while introducing another is highly valued. “Amma” provides this essential pivot, allowing speakers to show nuance rather than absolute positions.
Proverbs and Wisdom Sayings
Hausa culture is rich in proverbs (karin magana) that often employ contrast. Many use “amma” to set up the unexpected turn that delivers the wisdom:
“Ruwa yana da sanyi amma yana wanke dauda.” (Water is cold but it washes away dirt.) – Hardship brings purification.
Storytelling Conventions
In traditional Hausa narrative, “amma” frequently marks plot turns. Stories often establish expectations in one clause, then subvert them after “amma.” This pattern appears throughout Abubakar Imam’s “Magana Jari Ce,” where characters face situations that don’t unfold as expected.
Modern Usage
In contemporary Hausa media—newspapers, radio, and television—”amma” maintains its central role. Political commentary frequently uses contrastive structures: acknowledging one position, then offering a different perspective. News reporting employs “amma” to balance competing viewpoints.
Regional Variations
While “amma” is universally understood across Hausa-speaking regions (Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, and diaspora communities), some dialects may prefer alternatives or compound forms: -
Standard Kano: “amma” predominates -
Some dialects: “sai dai” or “amma sai dai” may be preferred for certain types of contrast -
Formal contexts: “amma kuma” adds scholarly or serious tone
Register
“Amma” is neutral in register, appropriate for all contexts from casual conversation to formal writing. It appears equally in children’s speech, everyday banter, religious discourse, and academic text. This universality makes it one of the first conjunctions Hausa learners should master.
Arabic Heritage
The Arabic origin of “amma” (أمّا) connects Hausa to the broader Islamic intellectual tradition. Many Arabic loanwords in Hausa relate to religion, law, and abstract concepts. “Amma,” however, has become so thoroughly naturalized that speakers rarely perceive it as foreign.
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The following passage is adapted from the narrative tradition exemplified in Abubakar Imam’s “Magana Jari Ce” (Speech is Profit, 1937-1939), the foundational work of modern Hausa prose literature. This excerpt demonstrates “amma” in storytelling context, showing how contrast drives narrative tension.
Source: In the style of Abubakar Imam, “Magana Jari Ce”
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Wani a-certain mutum man yana he-CONT da with dukiya wealth da COMP yawa much amma but ba NEG shi he da with yaro child ba NEG. Ya he-PERF yi do addu’a prayer da with yawa much amma but shekaru years da COMP yawa many sun they-PERF wuce pass. Wata a-certain rana day malami scholar ya he-PERF zo come gidansa his-house. Malamin scholar-the ya he-PERF ce say masa to-him: “Kana you-CONT da with komai everything amma but ba NEG ka you da with magaji heir ba NEG.” Mutumin man-the ya he-PERF amsa answer: “Gaskiya truth kake you-CONT faɗa saying, amma but Allah God mai having iko power ne COP.M.”
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Wani mutum yana da dukiya da yawa amma ba shi da yaro ba. Ya yi addu’a da yawa amma shekaru da yawa sun wuce. Wata rana malami ya zo gidansa. Malamin ya ce masa: “Kana da komai amma ba ka da magaji ba.” Mutumin ya amsa: “Gaskiya kake faɗa, amma Allah mai iko ne.”
وَنِ مُتُمْ يَنَ دَ دُكِيَ دَ يَوَ أمَّا بَ شِ دَ يَرُو بَ. يَ يِ أَدُّعَ دَ يَوَ أمَّا شٜكَرُ دَ يَوَ سُنْ وُچَ. وَتَ رَنَ مَلَمِ يَ زُو گِدَنْسَ. مَلَمِنْ يَ چَ مَسَ: “كَنَ دَ كُومَيْ أمَّا بَ كَ دَ مَگَجِ بَ.” مُتُمِنْ يَ أَمْسَ: “گَسْكِيَ كَكَ فَضَ، أمَّا اللهُ مَيْ إِكُو نَ.”
“A certain man had great wealth but he had no child. He prayed much but many years passed. One day a scholar came to his house. The scholar said to him: ‘You have everything but you have no heir.’ The man answered: ‘You speak truth, but God is all-powerful.’”
F-C: Original Script Only
Wani mutum yana da dukiya da yawa amma ba shi da yaro ba. Ya yi addu’a da yawa amma shekaru da yawa sun wuce. Wata rana malami ya zo gidansa. Malamin ya ce masa: “Kana da komai amma ba ka da magaji ba.” Mutumin ya amsa: “Gaskiya kake faɗa, amma Allah mai iko ne.”
وَنِ مُتُمْ يَنَ دَ دُكِيَ دَ يَوَ أمَّا بَ شِ دَ يَرُو بَ. يَ يِ أَدُّعَ دَ يَوَ أمَّا شٜكَرُ دَ يَوَ سُنْ وُچَ. وَتَ رَنَ مَلَمِ يَ زُو گِدَنْسَ. مَلَمِنْ يَ چَ مَسَ: “كَنَ دَ كُومَيْ أمَّا بَ كَ دَ مَگَجِ بَ.” مُتُمِنْ يَ أَمْسَ: “گَسْكِيَ كَكَ فَضَ، أمَّا اللهُ مَيْ إِكُو نَ.”
F-D: Vocabulary and Grammar Notes
Key Vocabulary: -
dukiya (دُكِيَ) - wealth, property (Arabic loanword) -
yaro (يَرُو) - child, boy -
addu’a (أَدُّعَ) - prayer, supplication (Arabic) -
shekara (شٜكَرَ) - year (pl. shekaru) -
malami (مَلَمِ) - Islamic scholar, teacher (Arabic muʿallim) -
magaji (مَگَجِ) - heir, successor -
iko (إِكُو) - power, authority
Triple Use of “Amma”:
The passage demonstrates three distinct uses of “amma”: -
Amma (first instance): Contrasts material wealth with lack of offspring—the central tension of the narrative. -
Amma (second instance): Contrasts prolonged prayer with continued waiting—building pathos. -
Amma (third instance): The man’s response pivots from acknowledgment to faith—the spiritual resolution.
Narrative Function:
Abubakar Imam’s storytelling style uses “amma” to create suspense and deliver moral lessons. Each “but” signals that expectations will be subverted, keeping listeners engaged. The final “amma” transforms a lament into an affirmation of faith.
About Abubakar Imam (1911-1981):
Abubakar Imam is considered the father of modern Hausa prose. His “Magana Jari Ce” (Wisdom is an Asset) trilogy, published 1937-1939, adapted stories from Arabic, Persian, and Hausa oral tradition into modern prose. The work remains on Nigerian school curricula and established templates for Hausa fiction writing.
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This section presents “amma” in conversational context through a dialogue between a buyer (Mai Saye) and a seller (Mai Sayarwa) at a Hausa market. Market negotiation demonstrates how contrast is used in real-time interaction.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
23.16a Sannu greetings da with zuwa coming. Nawa how-much wannan this riga gown take it-is?
23.16b سَنُّ (sannu) greetings دَ (da) with زُوَا (zuwa) coming. نَوَ (nawa) how-much وَنَّنْ (wannan) this رِگَ (riga) gown تَكَ (take) it-is?
23.17a Naira naira dubu thousand biyu two amma but domin because kai you zan I-FUT rage reduce kaɗan a-little.
23.17b نَيْرَ (naira) naira دُبُ (dubu) thousand بِيُ (biyu) two أمَّا (amma) but دُومِنْ (domin) because كَيْ (kai) you زَنْ (zan) I-FUT رَگَ (rage) reduce كَضَنْ (kaɗan) a-little.
23.18a Ai well tana it.F-CONT da with kyau beauty amma but tsada expensive ce COP.F sosai very!
23.18b أَيْ (ai) well تَنَ (tana) it.F-CONT دَ (da) with كْيَوْ (kyau) beauty أمَّا (amma) but ڟَدَ (tsada) expensive چَ (ce) COP.F سُوسَيْ (sosai) very!
23.19a Ina I-CONT son wanting saya buying amma but ba NEG ni I da with kuɗi money haka thus ba NEG.
23.19b إِنَ (ina) I-CONT سُونْ (son) wanting سَيَ (saya) buying أمَّا (amma) but بَ (ba) NEG نِ (ni) I دَ (da) with كُضِ (kuɗi) money هَكَ (haka) thus بَ (ba) NEG.
23.20a To well, nawa how-much kake you-CONT da with shi it?
23.20b تُو (to) well، نَوَ (nawa) how-much كَكَ (kake) you-CONT دَ (da) with شِ (shi) it?
23.21a Ina I-CONT da with dubu thousand ɗaya one kawai only amma but kuma also ina I-CONT so want riga gown mai having kyau beauty.
23.21b إِنَ (ina) I-CONT دَ (da) with دُبُ (dubu) thousand ضَيَ (ɗaya) one كَوَيْ (kawai) only أمَّا (amma) but كُمَ (kuma) also إِنَ (ina) I-CONT سُو (so) want رِگَ (riga) gown مَيْ (mai) having كْيَوْ (kyau) beauty.
23.22a Dubu thousand ɗaya one? Wannan this ba NEG zai it-FUT yi do ba NEG! Amma but sai if ka you-PERF ƙara add ɗari hundred biyar five...
23.22b دُبُ (dubu) thousand ضَيَ (ɗaya) one؟ وَنَّنْ (wannan) this بَ (ba) NEG زَيْ (zai) it-FUT يِ (yi) do بَ (ba) NEG! أمَّا (amma) but سَيْ (sai) if كَ (ka) you-PERF قَرَ (ƙara) add ضَرِ (ɗari) hundred بِيَرْ (biyar) five...
23.23a Kana you-CONT so want kuɗi money na of albarkatu blessings amma but za FUT ka you ɓaci spoil kasuwanci trade!
23.23b كَنَ (kana) you-CONT سُو (so) want كُضِ (kuɗi) money نَ (na) of أَلْبَرْكَتُ (albarkatu) blessings أمَّا (amma) but زَ (za) FUT كَ (ka) you بَچِ (ɓaci) spoil كَسُوَنْچِ (kasuwanci) trade!
23.24a To well, ka you-PERF yi do nasara victory. Dubu thousand ɗaya one da and ɗari hundred biyu two.
23.24b تُو (to) well، كَ (ka) you-PERF يِ (yi) do نَسَرَ (nasara) victory. دُبُ (dubu) thousand ضَيَ (ɗaya) one دَ (da) and ضَرِ (ɗari) hundred بِيُ (biyu) two.
23.25a Madalla! excellent! Amma but ka you-PERF haɗa include aljihu pocket nan this fa indeed?
23.25b مَدَلَّ! (madalla!) excellent! أمَّا (amma) but كَ (ka) you-PERF هَضَ (haɗa) include أَلْجِهُ (aljihu) pocket نَنْ (nan) this فَ (fa) indeed?
23.26a Yau today kana you-CONT da with sa’a luck amma but wannan this karshe end ne COP.M!
23.26b يَوْ (yau) today كَنَ (kana) you-CONT دَ (da) with سَعَ (sa’a) luck أمَّا (amma) but وَنَّنْ (wannan) this كَرْشَ (karshe) end نَ (ne) COP.M!
23.27a An one-PERF ce say kai you mai having tsada expensive ne COP.M amma but gaskiya truth kana you-CONT da with adalci fairness.
23.27b أَنْ (an) one-PERF چَ (ce) say كَيْ (kai) you مَيْ (mai) having ڟَدَ (tsada) expensive نَ (ne) COP.M أمَّا (amma) but گَسْكِيَ (gaskiya) truth كَنَ (kana) you-CONT دَ (da) with عَدَلْچِ (adalci) fairness.
23.28a Nagode! thanks! Ina I-CONT sayar selling da with abin thing kirki good amma but sai until an one-PERF gwada try.
23.28b نَگُودَ! (nagode!) thanks! إِنَ (ina) I-CONT سَيَرْ (sayar) selling دَ (da) with أَبِنْ (abin) thing كِرْكِ (kirki) good أمَّا (amma) but سَيْ (sai) until أَنْ (an) one-PERF گوَدَ (gwada) try.
23.29a Zan I-FUT dawo return gobe tomorrow amma but ka you-IMP ajiye keep mini for-me wannan this.
23.29b زَنْ (zan) I-FUT دَوُو (dawo) return گُوبَ (gobe) tomorrow أمَّا (amma) but كَ (ka) you-IMP أَجِيَ (ajiye) keep مِنِ (mini) for-me وَنَّنْ (wannan) this.
23.30a Ba NEG zan I-FUT iya able jira wait ba NEG amma but sai if ka you-PERF bar leave ajali deposit zan I-FUT ajiye keep.
23.30b بَ (ba) NEG زَنْ (zan) I-FUT إِيَ (iya) able جِرَ (jira) wait بَ (ba) NEG أمَّا (amma) but سَيْ (sai) if كَ (ka) you-PERF بَرْ (bar) leave أَجَلِ (ajali) deposit زَنْ (zan) I-FUT أَجِيَ (ajiye) keep.
Part B: Natural Sentences
23.16 Sannu da zuwa. Nawa wannan riga take? سَنُّ دَ زُوَا. نَوَ وَنَّنْ رِگَ تَكَ؟ “Greetings on your coming. How much is this gown?”
23.17 Naira dubu biyu amma domin kai zan rage kaɗan. نَيْرَ دُبُ بِيُ أمَّا دُومِنْ كَيْ زَنْ رَگَ كَضَنْ “Two thousand naira but because of you I will reduce a little.”
23.18 Ai tana da kyau amma tsada ce sosai! أَيْ تَنَ دَ كْيَوْ أمَّا ڟَدَ چَ سُوسَيْ! “Well, it is beautiful but it is very expensive!”
23.19 Ina son saya amma ba ni da kuɗi haka ba. إِنَ سُونْ سَيَ أمَّا بَ نِ دَ كُضِ هَكَ بَ “I want to buy but I don’t have that much money.”
23.20 To, nawa kake da shi? تُو، نَوَ كَكَ دَ شِ؟ “Well, how much do you have?”
23.21 Ina da dubu ɗaya kawai amma kuma ina so riga mai kyau. إِنَ دَ دُبُ ضَيَ كَوَيْ أمَّا كُمَ إِنَ سُو رِگَ مَيْ كْيَوْ “I have only one thousand but I also want a beautiful gown.”
23.22 Dubu ɗaya? Wannan ba zai yi ba! Amma sai ka ƙara ɗari biyar... دُبُ ضَيَ؟ وَنَّنْ بَ زَيْ يِ بَ! أمَّا سَيْ كَ قَرَ ضَرِ بِيَرْ... “One thousand? That won’t do! But if you add five hundred...”
23.23 Kana so kuɗi na albarkatu amma za ka ɓaci kasuwanci! كَنَ سُو كُضِ نَ أَلْبَرْكَتُ أمَّا زَ كَ بَچِ كَسُوَنْچِ! “You want blessed money but you will ruin your trade!”
23.24 To, ka yi nasara. Dubu ɗaya da ɗari biyu. تُو، كَ يِ نَسَرَ. دُبُ ضَيَ دَ ضَرِ بِيُ “Well, you have won. One thousand two hundred.”
23.25 Madalla! Amma ka haɗa aljihu nan fa? مَدَلَّ! أمَّا كَ هَضَ أَلْجِهُ نَنْ فَ؟ “Excellent! But you’ve included this pocket, right?”
23.26 Yau kana da sa’a amma wannan karshe ne! يَوْ كَنَ دَ سَعَ أمَّا وَنَّنْ كَرْشَ نَ! “Today you are lucky but this is the end!”
23.27 An ce kai mai tsada ne amma gaskiya kana da adalci. أَنْ چَ كَيْ مَيْ ڟَدَ نَ أمَّا گَسْكِيَ كَنَ دَ عَدَلْچِ “They said you are expensive but truly you are fair.”
23.28 Nagode! Ina sayar da abin kirki amma sai an gwada. نَگُودَ! إِنَ سَيَرْ دَ أَبِنْ كِرْكِ أمَّا سَيْ أَنْ گوَدَ “Thanks! I sell good things but one must try them.”
23.29 Zan dawo gobe amma ka ajiye mini wannan. زَنْ دَوُو گُوبَ أمَّا كَ أَجِيَ مِنِ وَنَّنْ “I will return tomorrow but keep this for me.”
23.30 Ba zan iya jira ba amma sai ka bar ajali zan ajiye. بَ زَنْ إِيَ جِرَ بَ أمَّا سَيْ كَ بَرْ أَجَلِ زَنْ أَجِيَ “I won’t be able to wait but if you leave a deposit I will keep it.”
Part C: Target Language Only
23.16 Sannu da zuwa. Nawa wannan riga take? سَنُّ دَ زُوَا. نَوَ وَنَّنْ رِگَ تَكَ؟
23.17 Naira dubu biyu amma domin kai zan rage kaɗan. نَيْرَ دُبُ بِيُ أمَّا دُومِنْ كَيْ زَنْ رَگَ كَضَنْ
23.18 Ai tana da kyau amma tsada ce sosai! أَيْ تَنَ دَ كْيَوْ أمَّا ڟَدَ چَ سُوسَيْ!
23.19 Ina son saya amma ba ni da kuɗi haka ba. إِنَ سُونْ سَيَ أمَّا بَ نِ دَ كُضِ هَكَ بَ
23.20 To, nawa kake da shi? تُو، نَوَ كَكَ دَ شِ؟
23.21 Ina da dubu ɗaya kawai amma kuma ina so riga mai kyau. إِنَ دَ دُبُ ضَيَ كَوَيْ أمَّا كُمَ إِنَ سُو رِگَ مَيْ كْيَوْ
23.22 Dubu ɗaya? Wannan ba zai yi ba! Amma sai ka ƙara ɗari biyar... دُبُ ضَيَ؟ وَنَّنْ بَ زَيْ يِ بَ! أمَّا سَيْ كَ قَرَ ضَرِ بِيَرْ...
23.23 Kana so kuɗi na albarkatu amma za ka ɓaci kasuwanci! كَنَ سُو كُضِ نَ أَلْبَرْكَتُ أمَّا زَ كَ بَچِ كَسُوَنْچِ!
23.24 To, ka yi nasara. Dubu ɗaya da ɗari biyu. تُو، كَ يِ نَسَرَ. دُبُ ضَيَ دَ ضَرِ بِيُ
23.25 Madalla! Amma ka haɗa aljihu nan fa? مَدَلَّ! أمَّا كَ هَضَ أَلْجِهُ نَنْ فَ؟
23.26 Yau kana da sa’a amma wannan karshe ne! يَوْ كَنَ دَ سَعَ أمَّا وَنَّنْ كَرْشَ نَ!
23.27 An ce kai mai tsada ne amma gaskiya kana da adalci. أَنْ چَ كَيْ مَيْ ڟَدَ نَ أمَّا گَسْكِيَ كَنَ دَ عَدَلْچِ
23.28 Nagode! Ina sayar da abin kirki amma sai an gwada. نَگُودَ! إِنَ سَيَرْ دَ أَبِنْ كِرْكِ أمَّا سَيْ أَنْ گوَدَ
23.29 Zan dawo gobe amma ka ajiye mini wannan. زَنْ دَوُو گُوبَ أمَّا كَ أَجِيَ مِنِ وَنَّنْ
23.30 Ba zan iya jira ba amma sai ka bar ajali zan ajiye. بَ زَنْ إِيَ جِرَ بَ أمَّا سَيْ كَ بَرْ أَجَلِ زَنْ أَجِيَ
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
Market Discourse
Hausa market negotiation (ciniki) is a sophisticated linguistic art form. “Amma” appears constantly as buyers and sellers acknowledge each other’s positions while advancing their own. The dialogue demonstrates several patterns:
Concessive “Amma”: Acknowledging quality while objecting to price (23.18: “It is beautiful but it is expensive”).
Conditional “Amma sai”: Making counter-offers contingent on conditions (23.22: “But if you add five hundred...”).
Emphatic “Amma kuma”: Adding force to a contrasting point (23.21: “but I also want a beautiful gown”).
“Amma” with “fa”: Seeking confirmation of an unexpected benefit (23.25: “But you’ve included this pocket, right?”).
Key Market Vocabulary: -
riga (رِگَ) - gown, traditional robe -
sayar/saya (سَيَرْ/سَيَ) - to sell/to buy -
rage (رَگَ) - to reduce, discount -
kasuwanci (كَسُوَنْچِ) - trade, commerce -
ajali (أَجَلِ) - deposit, advance payment -
albarkatu (أَلْبَرْكَتُ) - blessings (used for first sale of the day)
Cultural Note:
The phrase “kuɗi na albarkatu” (blessed money) refers to the first sale of the day, considered auspicious. Sellers often offer discounts to secure this first transaction, believing it brings good fortune for the rest of the day.
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Primary Word: Amma
IPA: /àmmáː/
Syllable breakdown: am-ma
Tone pattern: Low-High (falling on first syllable, rising on second)
The doubled ‘m’ (gemination) is essential. Hold the ‘m’ sound slightly longer than a single consonant. The shadda (ّ) in Ajami indicates this doubling.
Hausa Special Consonants: -
ɓ (implosive b): Produced with ingressive airstream; sounds “deeper” than English b -
ɗ (implosive d): Produced with ingressive airstream; sounds “deeper” than English d -
ƙ (ejective k): Produced with glottal closure; sounds “sharper” than English k -
ʼy (glottalized y): Y preceded by glottal stop
Common Pronunciation Errors: -
Pronouncing “amma” with single ‘m’ (sounds like different word) -
Ignoring tone (can change meaning in tonal languages) -
Using English ‘b/d/k’ for Hausa ɓ/ɗ/ƙ
Audio Resources:
For authentic pronunciation, consult: -
UCLA Hausa Online Grammar audio files -
BBC Hausa Service broadcasts -
Deutsche Welle Hausa recordings
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Modern Language Course series, providing systematic vocabulary acquisition through the CSV-based frequency curriculum. Each lesson targets a specific high-frequency word, presenting it in authentic contexts with full interlinear glossing in both Boko and Ajami scripts.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
About the Latinum Institute:
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, specializing in the interlinear construed text method that makes complex languages accessible to autodidact learners. Our approach builds comprehension through granular word-by-word glossing before progressing to natural text reading.
Trustpilot Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The Autodidact Methodology:
These materials are designed for independent learners who benefit from: -
Systematic vocabulary introduction based on frequency -
Complete grammatical transparency through interlinear glossing -
Authentic cultural context and literary citations -
Dual-script presentation for comprehensive literacy -
Progressive complexity from simple to elaborate sentences
Why Interlinear Glossing Accelerates Comprehension:
Research in second language acquisition demonstrates that glossed texts significantly enhance vocabulary retention and grammatical awareness. By seeing each word’s meaning and grammatical function immediately, learners bypass the frustration of constant dictionary consultation and build intuitive understanding of sentence structure.
Hausa’s Dual-Script Heritage:
Presenting both Boko and Ajami honors Hausa’s rich literary tradition. While Boko serves modern official purposes, Ajami connects learners to centuries of Islamic scholarship, poetry, and historical documents. Familiarity with both scripts opens doors to the full breadth of Hausa culture and literature.
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✓ Lesson 23 Hausa complete
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