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Welcome to Lesson 25 of the Latinum Institute Modern Hausa Course. This lesson focuses on cê (چٜى), the fundamental verb meaning “to say” in Hausa. As a communication verb, cê is central to reporting speech, expressing opinions, and transmitting information—activities that form the backbone of Hausa oral culture, where the spoken word carries immense social weight.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “say” mean in Hausa?
“Say” is expressed in Hausa through the verb cê (چٜى, pronounced /ʧeː/ with high tone). This monosyllabic verb combines with Hausa’s tense-aspect-mood (TAM) pronoun markers to create forms like ya cê (he said), na cê (I said), or zai cê (he will say). The verbal noun cewa (چَوَا, /ʧeːwàː/) functions both as “saying” and as the complementizer “that” when introducing reported speech.
Unlike English, where “say” remains constant across tenses, Hausa encodes aspect directly into pronoun forms that precede the verb. The completive ya cê indicates a completed act of saying, while the continuative yana cewa describes ongoing speech, and the future zai cê projects speech yet to occur.
This lesson presents examples in both Boko (the modern Latin-based orthography) and Ajami (the traditional Arabic-derived script used since the 17th century). The Ajami examples follow the Warsh/Kano tradition common in northern Nigeria.
Key Takeaways -
The verb cê combines with TAM-marked pronouns: ya cê (he said), na cê (I said), mun cê (we said) -
Cewa functions as both verbal noun (”saying”) and complementizer (”that”) -
Direct speech uses in ji construction: “Ina zuwa,” in ji shi (”I’m coming,” he said) -
Indirect speech uses cewa: Ya cê cewa zai zo (He said that he will come) -
Hausa proverbs (Karin Magana) emphasize speech’s power: “Magana jari ce” (Speech is capital) -
Both Boko (Latin) and Ajami (Arabic) scripts are used for Hausa
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In this section, each example appears twice. Line “a” presents the Boko (Latin) script with word-by-word English glosses. Line “b” presents the Ajami (Arabic) script with romanization in parentheses and matching glosses. A blank line separates the two for clarity.
25.1a Ya he-COMP cê said gaskiya truth 25.1b يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said غَسْكِيَ (gaskiya) truth
25.2a Na I-COMP cê said haka thus 25.2b نَ (na) I-COMP چٜى (cê) said هَكَ (haka) thus
25.3a Ta she-COMP cê said mana to-us 25.3b تَ (ta) she-COMP چٜى (cê) said مَنَ (mana) to-us
25.4a Mun we-COMP cê said ba NEG mu we san know ba NEG 25.4b مُنْ (mun) we-COMP چٜى (cê) said بَ (ba) NEG مُ (mu) we سَنْ (san) know بَ (ba) NEG
25.5a Ka you.M-COMP cê said mê what ne COP.M 25.5b كَ (ka) you.M-COMP چٜى (cê) said مٜى (mê) what نِ (ne) COP.M
25.6a Yawwa right ya he-COMP cê said cewa that zai he-FUT zo come 25.6b يَوَّ (yawwa) right يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said چَوَا (cewa) that زَيْ (zai) he-FUT زُو (zo) come
25.7a Malami teacher ya he-COMP cê said cewa that karatu learning yana it-CONT da with kyau good 25.7b مَلَمِ (malami) teacher يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said چَوَا (cewa) that كَرَتُ (karatu) learning يَنَ (yana) it-CONT دَ (da) with كْيَوْ (kyau) good
25.8a Bai he-NEG.COMP cê said komai anything ba NEG 25.8b بَيْ (bai) he-NEG.COMP چٜى (cê) said كُومَيْ (komai) anything بَ (ba) NEG
25.9a Ina where ya he-REL.COMP cê said zai he-FUT tafi go 25.9b إِنَ (ina) where يَ (ya) he-REL.COMP چٜى (cê) said زَيْ (zai) he-FUT تَفِ (tafi) go
25.10a Magana speech jari capital ce COP.F in QUOT ji say tsohon old karin addition magana speech 25.10b مَغَنَ (magana) speech جَرِ (jari) capital چِ (ce) COP.F إِنْ (in) QUOT جِ (ji) say تْسُوهُنْ (tsohon) old كَرِنْ (karin) addition مَغَنَ (magana) speech
25.11a Mê what ya he-REL.COMP cê said game about da with ni me 25.11b مٜى (mê) what يَ (ya) he-REL.COMP چٜى (cê) said غَمِ (game) about دَ (da) with نِ (ni) me
25.12a Sarki chief ya he-COMP cê said cewa that su they-SUBJ dawo return gobe tomorrow 25.12b سَرْكِ (sarki) chief يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said چَوَا (cewa) that سُ (su) they-SUBJ دَوُو (dawo) return غُوبِ (gobe) tomorrow
25.13a Yana he-CONT cewa saying gaskiya truth kullum always 25.13b يَنَ (yana) he-CONT چَوَا (cewa) saying غَسْكِيَ (gaskiya) truth كُلُّمْ (kullum) always
25.14a Suna they-CONT cewa saying ana one-CONT bukata need taimako help 25.14b سُنَ (suna) they-CONT چَوَا (cewa) saying أَنَ (ana) one-CONT بُكَتَ (bukata) need تَيْمَكُو (taimako) help
25.15a Abin thing da REL ya he-COMP cê said gaskiya truth ne COP.M 25.15b أَبِنْ (abin) thing دَ (da) REL يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said غَسْكِيَ (gaskiya) truth نِ (ne) COP.M
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25.1 Ya cê gaskiya. يَ چٜى غَسْكِيَ۔ “He spoke the truth.”
25.2 Na cê haka. نَ چٜى هَكَ۔ “I said so.”
25.3 Ta cê mana. تَ چٜى مَنَ۔ “She told us.”
25.4 Mun cê ba mu san ba. مُنْ چٜى بَ مُ سَنْ بَ۔ “We said we don’t know.”
25.5 Ka cê mê ne? كَ چٜى مٜى نِ؟ “What did you say?”
25.6 Yawwa, ya cê cewa zai zo. يَوَّ، يَ چٜى چَوَا زَيْ زُو۔ “Yes, he said that he will come.”
25.7 Malami ya cê cewa karatu yana da kyau. مَلَمِ يَ چٜى چَوَا كَرَتُ يَنَ دَ كْيَوْ۔ “The teacher said that learning is good.”
25.8 Bai cê komai ba. بَيْ چٜى كُومَيْ بَ۔ “He didn’t say anything.”
25.9 Ina ya cê zai tafi? إِنَ يَ چٜى زَيْ تَفِ؟ “Where did he say he would go?”
25.10 Magana jari ce, in ji tsohon karin magana. مَغَنَ جَرِ چِ، إِنْ جِ تْسُوهُنْ كَرِنْ مَغَنَ۔ “Speech is capital, says the old proverb.”
25.11 Mê ya cê game da ni? مٜى يَ چٜى غَمِ دَ نِ؟ “What did he say about me?”
25.12 Sarki ya cê cewa su dawo gobe. سَرْكِ يَ چٜى چَوَا سُ دَوُو غُوبِ۔ “The chief said that they should return tomorrow.”
25.13 Yana cewa gaskiya kullum. يَنَ چَوَا غَسْكِيَ كُلُّمْ۔ “He always speaks the truth.”
25.14 Suna cewa ana bukata taimako. سُنَ چَوَا أَنَ بُكَتَ تَيْمَكُو۔ “They are saying that help is needed.”
25.15 Abin da ya cê gaskiya ne. أَبِنْ دَ يَ چٜى غَسْكِيَ نِ۔ “What he said is true.”
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25.1 Ya cê gaskiya. يَ چٜى غَسْكِيَ۔
25.2 Na cê haka. نَ چٜى هَكَ۔
25.3 Ta cê mana. تَ چٜى مَنَ۔
25.4 Mun cê ba mu san ba. مُنْ چٜى بَ مُ سَنْ بَ۔
25.5 Ka cê mê ne? كَ چٜى مٜى نِ؟
25.6 Yawwa, ya cê cewa zai zo. يَوَّ، يَ چٜى چَوَا زَيْ زُو۔
25.7 Malami ya cê cewa karatu yana da kyau. مَلَمِ يَ چٜى چَوَا كَرَتُ يَنَ دَ كْيَوْ۔
25.8 Bai cê komai ba. بَيْ چٜى كُومَيْ بَ۔
25.9 Ina ya cê zai tafi? إِنَ يَ چٜى زَيْ تَفِ؟
25.10 Magana jari ce, in ji tsohon karin magana. مَغَنَ جَرِ چِ، إِنْ جِ تْسُوهُنْ كَرِنْ مَغَنَ۔
25.11 Mê ya cê game da ni? مٜى يَ چٜى غَمِ دَ نِ؟
25.12 Sarki ya cê cewa su dawo gobe. سَرْكِ يَ چٜى چَوَا سُ دَوُو غُوبِ۔
25.13 Yana cewa gaskiya kullum. يَنَ چَوَا غَسْكِيَ كُلُّمْ۔
25.14 Suna cewa ana bukata taimako. سُنَ چَوَا أَنَ بُكَتَ تَيْمَكُو۔
25.15 Abin da ya cê gaskiya ne. أَبِنْ دَ يَ چٜى غَسْكِيَ نِ۔
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These are the grammar rules for cê and its related forms in Hausa.
Hausa expresses “say” through the monosyllabic verb cê (/ʧeː/), which belongs to a small class of irregular monosyllabic verbs alongside sa (put, cause), ji (hear, feel), and kai (carry). These verbs maintain a single high-tone syllable and combine directly with TAM-marked pronouns.
Completive Forms (completed action)
The completive aspect indicates that the act of saying has been completed. The TAM markers fuse with subject pronouns as follows. First person singular: na cê (I said). Second person masculine singular: ka cê (you said). Second person feminine singular: kin cê (you said). Third person masculine singular: ya cê (he said). Third person feminine singular: ta cê (she said). First person plural: mun cê (we said). Second person plural: kun cê (you all said). Third person plural: sun cê (they said).
Continuative Forms (ongoing action)
The continuative requires the verbal noun cewa rather than the basic verb cê. First person singular: ina cewa or na cewa (I am saying). Second person masculine: kana cewa (you are saying). Third person masculine: yana cewa (he is saying). Third person feminine: tana cewa (she is saying). First person plural: muna cewa (we are saying). Third person plural: suna cewa (they are saying).
Future Forms
The future uses zai/za plus the basic verb. First person singular: zan cê (I will say). Second person masculine: za ka cê (you will say). Third person masculine: zai cê (he will say). Third person feminine: za ta cê (she will say). First person plural: za mu cê (we will say). Third person plural: za su cê (they will say).
Negative Completive
Negation in the completive requires the frame ba...ba with modified pronoun forms. First person: ban cê ba (I didn’t say). Third person masculine: bai cê ba (he didn’t say). Third person feminine: ba ta cê ba (she didn’t say). First person plural: ba mu cê ba (we didn’t say). Third person plural: ba su cê ba (they didn’t say).
The Complementizer Cewa
When introducing reported speech or thought, cewa functions as the complementizer “that.” The structure follows the pattern: Subject + TAM-pronoun + cê + cewa + subordinate clause. Example: Ya cê cewa zai zo (He said that he will come). In casual speech, cewa can be omitted without changing the essential meaning: Ya cê zai zo (He said he will come).
Direct Quotation with In Ji
For direct speech, Hausa uses the quotative construction in ji (says/said) after the quoted material. Example: “Ina zuwa,” in ji shi (”I’m coming,” he said). This construction preserves the exact words of the speaker.
Common Mistakes
Confusing cê and ce: The verb cê (say) has a long vowel with high tone, while ce (copula, “is” for feminine) is short. Using the wrong form changes meaning entirely.
Omitting TAM pronouns: Students may write “Ya cê” correctly but forget that Hausa requires the pronoun even when a noun subject is stated: “Malami ya cê” (The teacher, he said), not “Malami cê.”
Wrong negative frame: The negative of ya cê is “bai cê ba” (with both ba markers), not simply “ba ya cê.”
Using cê in continuative: The continuative requires the verbal noun cewa: “Yana cewa” (he is saying), not “Yana cê.”
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In Hausa culture, speech carries extraordinary weight. The proverb “Magana jari ce” (Speech is capital/profit) reflects the view that words are a form of social currency—powerful, valuable, and consequential. This cultural attitude shapes how cê and related speech verbs function in daily life.
The Power of the Spoken Word
Hausa society places immense value on verbal skills. A person who speaks well—clearly, truthfully, and persuasively—commands respect. The expression “Mai magana” (one who has speech/eloquence) describes a skilled speaker. Conversely, “Mugun magana” (bad speech) can destroy relationships and reputations. This explains why accurate reporting of what others have said, using cê and cewa, matters so much socially.
Proverbs on Speech (Karin Magana)
Hausa wisdom literature is rich with sayings about speech. “Baki shi ke yanka wuya” (The mouth cuts the throat) warns that careless words can destroy their speaker. “Magana zarar bunu ce” (Speech is like pulling a straw from thatch—once out, it cannot be put back) emphasizes the permanence of spoken words. These proverbs demonstrate why the accurate transmission of speech through cê and cewa carries cultural significance.
Formal and Informal Register
In formal contexts—news broadcasts on Radio Nigeria, religious sermons, or court proceedings—cewa as a complementizer is consistently used: “Ya cê cewa...” In casual conversation among friends or in market exchanges, cewa may be dropped: “Ya cê zai zo” rather than “Ya cê cewa zai zo.”
Religious Discourse
Islam profoundly influences Hausa language and culture. In Islamic scholarly discourse, cê and cewa appear frequently in phrases like “Allah ya cê cewa...” (God has said that...) or “Annabi ya cê cewa...” (The Prophet said that...). The complementizer adds reverence and precision to religious citations.
Traditional Storytelling (Tatsuniya)
Hausa oral narrative tradition makes extensive use of reported speech. Storytellers employ cê to introduce characters’ words, creating layered narratives. The phrase “in ji shi” (he said) or “ta cê cewa” (she said that) punctuates these tales, bringing characters to life.
Regional Variations
While cê and cewa are standard across Hausa-speaking regions (Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Cameroon), slight pronunciation variations exist. The vowel length and tone pattern remain consistent, but some dialects show minor differences in the cewa complementizer’s tonal realization.
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The following passage is adapted from the Hausa proverbial tradition, demonstrating the cultural importance of speech and the verb cê in authentic usage.
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Magana speech jari capital ce COP.F wanda whoever ya he-COMP san know faɗa speaking ya he-COMP san know rayuwa life مَغَنَ (magana) speech جَرِ (jari) capital چِ (ce) COP.F وَنْدَ (wanda) whoever يَ (ya) he-COMP سَنْ (san) know فَضَ (faɗa) speaking يَ (ya) he-COMP سَنْ (san) know رَيُوَا (rayuwa) life
Mai owner-of hikima wisdom ya he-COMP cê said cewa that a one-SUBJ yi do tunani thought kafin before a one-SUBJ yi do magana speech مَيْ (mai) owner-of حِكِمَ (hikima) wisdom يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said چَوَا (cewa) that أَ (a) one-SUBJ يِ (yi) do تُنَنِ (tunani) thought كَفِنْ (kafin) before أَ (a) one-SUBJ يِ (yi) do مَغَنَ (magana) speech
Idan if ka you-COMP cê said abu thing ba NEG za FUT ka you iya can komawa returning ba NEG إِدَنْ (idan) if كَ (ka) you-COMP چٜى (cê) said أَبُ (abu) thing بَ (ba) NEG زَ (za) FUT كَ (ka) you إِيَ (iya) can كُومَوَا (komawa) returning بَ (ba) NEG
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Magana jari ce; wanda ya san faɗa ya san rayuwa. Mai hikima ya cê cewa a yi tunani kafin a yi magana. Idan ka cê abu, ba za ka iya komawa ba.
مَغَنَ جَرِ چِ؛ وَنْدَ يَ سَنْ فَضَ يَ سَنْ رَيُوَا۔ مَيْ حِكِمَ يَ چٜى چَوَا أَ يِ تُنَنِ كَفِنْ أَ يِ مَغَنَ۔ إِدَنْ كَ چٜى أَبُ، بَ زَ كَ إِيَ كُومَوَا بَ۔
“Speech is capital; whoever knows how to speak knows how to live. The wise one has said that one should think before one speaks. If you have said something, you cannot take it back.”
F-C: Original Script Only
Magana jari ce; wanda ya san faɗa ya san rayuwa. Mai hikima ya cê cewa a yi tunani kafin a yi magana. Idan ka cê abu, ba za ka iya komawa ba.
مَغَنَ جَرِ چِ؛ وَنْدَ يَ سَنْ فَضَ يَ سَنْ رَيُوَا۔ مَيْ حِكِمَ يَ چٜى چَوَا أَ يِ تُنَنِ كَفِنْ أَ يِ مَغَنَ۔ إِدَنْ كَ چٜى أَبُ، بَ زَ كَ إِيَ كُومَوَا بَ۔
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage weaves together several Hausa proverbs about speech. The opening “Magana jari ce” (Speech is capital) is one of the most famous Hausa sayings, comparing words to commercial wealth. The word jari is borrowed from Arabic and refers to trading capital—an apt metaphor in a culture with deep commercial traditions.
The verb cê appears twice: once in the completive ya cê cewa (he has said that) and once in the conditional ka cê (you said/say). The passage also shows the verbal noun magana (speech/word) and the related verb faɗa (speaking, telling), which is another common speech verb in Hausa.
The impersonal subjunctive construction a yi (one should do) demonstrates how Hausa expresses general advice or commands without specifying the actor.
The final proverb uses the negative future ba za ka iya...ba (you will not be able to) to emphasize the permanence of spoken words—a theme central to Hausa communication ethics.
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The following section presents a traditional-style dialogue demonstrating how cê functions in Hausa narrative. This genre section continues with examples 25.16 through 25.30.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
25.16a Gàtanan once-upon gàtanan time akwai there-was wani some mutum man mai having hikima wisdom 25.16b غَتَنَنْ (gàtanan) once-upon غَتَنَنْ (gàtanan) time أَكْوَيْ (akwai) there-was وَنِ (wani) some مُتُمْ (mutum) man مَيْ (mai) having حِكِمَ (hikima) wisdom
25.17a Mutanen people-of gari town sun they-COMP zo come wurinsa to-his-place suna they-CONT cewa saying mana to-us wani some abu thing 25.17b مُتَنِنْ (mutanen) people-of غَرِ (gari) town سُنْ (sun) they-COMP زُو (zo) come وُرِنْسَ (wurinsa) to-his-place سُنَ (suna) they-CONT چَوَا (cewa) saying مَنَ (mana) to-us وَنِ (wani) some أَبُ (abu) thing
25.18a Daya one ya he-COMP cê said malam teacher ina where hanyar road-of arziki wealth 25.18b دَيَ (daya) one يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said مَلَمْ (malam) teacher إِنَ (ina) where هَنْيَرْ (hanyar) road-of أَرْزِكِ (arziki) wealth
25.19a Mai owner-of hikima wisdom ya he-COMP cê said masa to-him a one-SUBJ yi do aiki work da with gaskiya truth 25.19b مَيْ (mai) owner-of حِكِمَ (hikima) wisdom يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said مَسَ (masa) to-him أَ (a) one-SUBJ يِ (yi) do أَيْكِ (aiki) work دَ (da) with غَسْكِيَ (gaskiya) truth
25.20a Wani another ya he-COMP cê said ta how yaya manner zan I-FUT sami get zaman living lafiya health 25.20b وَنِ (wani) another يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said تَ (ta) how يَيَ (yaya) manner زَنْ (zan) I-FUT سَمِ (sami) get زَمَنْ (zaman) living لَفِيَ (lafiya) health
25.21a Shi he ya he-COMP amsa answer ya he-COMP cê said cewa that a one-SUBJ kula care da with makwabta neighbors 25.21b شِ (shi) he يَ (ya) he-COMP أَمْسَ (amsa) answer يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said چَوَا (cewa) that أَ (a) one-SUBJ كُلَ (kula) care دَ (da) with مَكْوَبْتَ (makwabta) neighbors
25.22a Mace woman ɗaya one ta she-COMP cê said na I-COMP ji hear cewa that kai you ka you-COMP san know komai everything 25.22b مَچِ (mace) woman ضَيَ (ɗaya) one تَ (ta) she-COMP چٜى (cê) said نَ (na) I-COMP جِ (ji) hear چَوَا (cewa) that كَيْ (kai) you كَ (ka) you-COMP سَنْ (san) know كُومَيْ (komai) everything
25.23a Sai then ya he-COMP cê said mata to-her wannan this ƙarya lie ne COP.M ba NEG ni I Allah God ba NEG 25.23b سَيْ (sai) then يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said مَتَ (mata) to-her وَنَّنْ (wannan) this قَرْيَ (ƙarya) lie نِ (ne) COP.M بَ (ba) NEG نِ (ni) I اللهْ (Allah) God بَ (ba) NEG
25.24a Amma but na I-COMP cê said cewa that mai owner-of tambaya question ba NEG ya he ɓata lost ba NEG 25.24b أَمَّ (amma) but نَ (na) I-COMP چٜى (cê) said چَوَا (cewa) that مَيْ (mai) owner-of تَمْبَيَ (tambaya) question بَ (ba) NEG يَ (ya) he ٻَتَ (ɓata) lost بَ (ba) NEG
25.25a Mutane people suka they-REL.COMP cê said gaskiya truth ne COP.M wannan this 25.25b مُتَنِ (mutane) people سُكَ (suka) they-REL.COMP چٜى (cê) said غَسْكِيَ (gaskiya) truth نِ (ne) COP.M وَنَّنْ (wannan) this
25.26a Yaro boy ɗaya one ya he-COMP cê said kana you-CONT cewa saying magana speech mai having kyau good 25.26b يَرُو (yaro) boy ضَيَ (ɗaya) one يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said كَنَ (kana) you-CONT چَوَا (cewa) saying مَغَنَ (magana) speech مَيْ (mai) having كْيَوْ (kyau) good
25.27a Tsoho old-man ya he-COMP yi do murmushi smile ya he-COMP cê said ni I ina I-CONT koyo learning har until yau today 25.27b تْسُوهُو (tsoho) old-man يَ (ya) he-COMP يِ (yi) do مُرْمُشِ (murmushi) smile يَ (ya) he-COMP چٜى (cê) said نِ (ni) I إِنَ (ina) I-CONT كُويُو (koyo) learning هَرْ (har) until يَوْ (yau) today
25.28a A one-SUBJ cê say cewa that mutum person mai having hankali sense ya he-COMP fi surpass mai having ƙarfi strength in QUOT ji say shi he 25.28b أَ (a) one-SUBJ چٜى (cê) say چَوَا (cewa) that مُتُمْ (mutum) person مَيْ (mai) having هَنْكَلِ (hankali) sense يَ (ya) he-COMP فِ (fi) surpass مَيْ (mai) having قَرْفِ (ƙarfi) strength إِنْ (in) QUOT جِ (ji) say شِ (shi) he
25.29a Duk all suka they-REL.COMP yarda agree suka they-REL.COMP cê said madalla well-done 25.29b دُكْ (duk) all سُكَ (suka) they-REL.COMP يَرْدَ (yarda) agree سُكَ (suka) they-REL.COMP چٜى (cê) said مَدَلَّ (madalla) well-done
25.30a Kurukutu this shi it ne COP.M abin thing da REL aka one-REL.COMP cê said a at ƙarshe end 25.30b كُرُكُتُ (kurukutu) this شِ (shi) it نِ (ne) COP.M أَبِنْ (abin) thing دَ (da) REL أَكَ (aka) one-REL.COMP چٜى (cê) said أَ (a) at قَرْشِ (ƙarshe) end
Part B: Natural Sentences
25.16 Gàtanan gàtanan, akwai wani mutum mai hikima. غَتَنَنْ غَتَنَنْ، أَكْوَيْ وَنِ مُتُمْ مَيْ حِكِمَ۔ “Once upon a time, there was a wise man.”
25.17 Mutanen gari sun zo wurinsa suna cewa mana wani abu. مُتَنِنْ غَرِ سُنْ زُو وُرِنْسَ سُنَ چَوَا مَنَ وَنِ أَبُ۔ “The townspeople came to him, saying ‘Tell us something.’”
25.18 Ɗaya ya cê, “Malam, ina hanyar arziki?” ضَيَ يَ چٜى، “مَلَمْ، إِنَ هَنْيَرْ أَرْزِكِ؟” “One said, ‘Teacher, where is the path to wealth?’”
25.19 Mai hikima ya cê masa, “A yi aiki da gaskiya.” مَيْ حِكِمَ يَ چٜى مَسَ، “أَ يِ أَيْكِ دَ غَسْكِيَ۔” “The wise man said to him, ‘One should work with honesty.’”
25.20 Wani ya cê, “Ta yaya zan sami zaman lafiya?” وَنِ يَ چٜى، “تَ يَيَ زَنْ سَمِ زَمَنْ لَفِيَ؟” “Another said, ‘How will I find peaceful living?’”
25.21 Shi ya amsa, ya cê cewa a kula da makwabta. شِ يَ أَمْسَ، يَ چٜى چَوَا أَ كُلَ دَ مَكْوَبْتَ۔ “He answered, saying that one should care for neighbors.”
25.22 Mace ɗaya ta cê, “Na ji cewa kai ka san komai.” مَچِ ضَيَ تَ چٜى، “نَ جِ چَوَا كَيْ كَ سَنْ كُومَيْ۔” “One woman said, ‘I heard that you know everything.’”
25.23 Sai ya cê mata, “Wannan ƙarya ne—ba ni Allah ba!” سَيْ يَ چٜى مَتَ، “وَنَّنْ قَرْيَ نِ—بَ نِ اللهْ بَ!” “Then he said to her, ‘That is a lie—I am not God!’”
25.24 “Amma na cê cewa mai tambaya ba ya ɓata ba.” “أَمَّ نَ چٜى چَوَا مَيْ تَمْبَيَ بَ يَ ٻَتَ بَ۔” “’But I say that one who asks is not lost.’”
25.25 Mutane suka cê, “Gaskiya ne wannan!” مُتَنِ سُكَ چٜى، “غَسْكِيَ نِ وَنَّنْ!” “The people said, ‘This is true!’”
25.26 Yaro ɗaya ya cê, “Kana cewa magana mai kyau.” يَرُو ضَيَ يَ چٜى، “كَنَ چَوَا مَغَنَ مَيْ كْيَوْ۔” “One boy said, ‘You are speaking good words.’”
25.27 Tsoho ya yi murmushi, ya cê, “Ni ina koyo har yau.” تْسُوهُو يَ يِ مُرْمُشِ، يَ چٜى، “نِ إِنَ كُويُو هَرْ يَوْ۔” “The old man smiled and said, ‘I am still learning to this day.’”
25.28 “A cê cewa mutum mai hankali ya fi mai ƙarfi,” in ji shi. “أَ چٜى چَوَا مُتُمْ مَيْ هَنْكَلِ يَ فِ مَيْ قَرْفِ،” إِنْ جِ شِ۔ “’Let it be said that a person with sense surpasses one with strength,’ he said.”
25.29 Duk suka yarda, suka cê, “Madalla!” دُكْ سُكَ يَرْدَ، سُكَ چٜى، “مَدَلَّ!” “All agreed and said, ‘Well done!’”
25.30 Kurukutu, shi ne abin da aka cê a ƙarshe. كُرُكُتُ، شِ نِ أَبِنْ دَ أَكَ چٜى أَ قَرْشِ۔ “And that is what was said at the end.”
Part C: Target Language Only
25.16 Gàtanan gàtanan, akwai wani mutum mai hikima. غَتَنَنْ غَتَنَنْ، أَكْوَيْ وَنِ مُتُمْ مَيْ حِكِمَ۔
25.17 Mutanen gari sun zo wurinsa suna cewa mana wani abu. مُتَنِنْ غَرِ سُنْ زُو وُرِنْسَ سُنَ چَوَا مَنَ وَنِ أَبُ۔
25.18 Ɗaya ya cê, “Malam, ina hanyar arziki?” ضَيَ يَ چٜى، “مَلَمْ، إِنَ هَنْيَرْ أَرْزِكِ؟”
25.19 Mai hikima ya cê masa, “A yi aiki da gaskiya.” مَيْ حِكِمَ يَ چٜى مَسَ، “أَ يِ أَيْكِ دَ غَسْكِيَ۔”
25.20 Wani ya cê, “Ta yaya zan sami zaman lafiya?” وَنِ يَ چٜى، “تَ يَيَ زَنْ سَمِ زَمَنْ لَفِيَ؟”
25.21 Shi ya amsa, ya cê cewa a kula da makwabta. شِ يَ أَمْسَ، يَ چٜى چَوَا أَ كُلَ دَ مَكْوَبْتَ۔
25.22 Mace ɗaya ta cê, “Na ji cewa kai ka san komai.” مَچِ ضَيَ تَ چٜى، “نَ جِ چَوَا كَيْ كَ سَنْ كُومَيْ۔”
25.23 Sai ya cê mata, “Wannan ƙarya ne—ba ni Allah ba!” سَيْ يَ چٜى مَتَ، “وَنَّنْ قَرْيَ نِ—بَ نِ اللهْ بَ!”
25.24 “Amma na cê cewa mai tambaya ba ya ɓata ba.” “أَمَّ نَ چٜى چَوَا مَيْ تَمْبَيَ بَ يَ ٻَتَ بَ۔”
25.25 Mutane suka cê, “Gaskiya ne wannan!” مُتَنِ سُكَ چٜى، “غَسْكِيَ نِ وَنَّنْ!”
25.26 Yaro ɗaya ya cê, “Kana cewa magana mai kyau.” يَرُو ضَيَ يَ چٜى، “كَنَ چَوَا مَغَنَ مَيْ كْيَوْ۔”
25.27 Tsoho ya yi murmushi, ya cê, “Ni ina koyo har yau.” تْسُوهُو يَ يِ مُرْمُشِ، يَ چٜى، “نِ إِنَ كُويُو هَرْ يَوْ۔”
25.28 “A cê cewa mutum mai hankali ya fi mai ƙarfi,” in ji shi. “أَ چٜى چَوَا مُتُمْ مَيْ هَنْكَلِ يَ فِ مَيْ قَرْفِ،” إِنْ جِ شِ۔
25.29 Duk suka yarda, suka cê, “Madalla!” دُكْ سُكَ يَرْدَ، سُكَ چٜى، “مَدَلَّ!”
25.30 Kurukutu, shi ne abin da aka cê a ƙarshe. كُرُكُتُ، شِ نِ أَبِنْ دَ أَكَ چٜى أَ قَرْشِ۔
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
Storytelling Opening Formula (25.16)
“Gàtanan gàtanan” is the traditional Hausa story-opening phrase, equivalent to “Once upon a time.” Note the low tones throughout. This sets the narrative frame for what follows.
Relative Completive suka (25.25, 25.29)
When cê appears in relative clauses or after certain discourse markers, the relative completive form suka replaces the plain completive sun. The meaning remains “they said” but indicates a subordinate or presupposed context.
Impersonal Completive aka (25.30)
The form aka cê (it was said/one said) uses the impersonal relative completive marker. This construction reports speech without specifying who said it—common in concluding traditional narratives.
Quotative in ji (25.28)
The construction in ji shi (he said, quoting) appears after direct speech. This differs from ya cê in that it specifically marks quoted material and typically follows the quotation rather than introducing it.
Subjunctive a cê (25.28)
The subjunctive construction a cê cewa (let it be said that) uses the impersonal subjunctive marker a with the verb cê. This form expresses wishes, exhortations, or general statements of principle.
Double cê Constructions
Several examples show ya cê cewa (he said that) where both the verb cê and the complementizer cewa appear. This is the standard formal construction for introducing indirect speech.
Continuative in Dialogue (25.17, 25.26, 25.27)
The continuative forms suna cewa (they are saying), kana cewa (you are saying), and ina koyo (I am learning) show ongoing actions within the narrative—either simultaneous with other events or characteristic behaviors.
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The Verb Cê
The verb cê is pronounced /ʧeː/ with a high tone on a long vowel. The initial sound is the same as English “ch” in “cheese.” The vowel is a long “e” as in “say” but held longer. English speakers should avoid pronouncing it like “see” or “say”—it falls between these sounds.
The Verbal Noun/Complementizer Cewa
Cewa is pronounced /ʧeːwàː/ with high tone on the first syllable and low tone on the second. The “w” creates a glide between the two vowels. Think of it as “CHAY-wah” with emphasis on the first syllable.
Tone Patterns
Hausa is a tonal language where pitch distinguishes meaning. The verb cê has a high tone (marked in linguistic transcription as ć or with an acute accent). The verbal noun cewa has High-Low tone pattern. These tones must be maintained for correct meaning—changing tone can change the word entirely.
Common Pronunciation Errors
English speakers often confuse cê (say) with ce (the feminine copula “is”). The verb has a long vowel; the copula is short. Listen to native speakers on Radio Nigeria Hausa Service or Voice of America Hausa to hear the distinction clearly.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006. Our approach centers on the interlinear glossing methodology, which presents learners with word-by-word translations that reveal the structure of the target language while building comprehension naturally.
This Hausa course follows a frequency-based vocabulary progression, introducing words according to their occurrence in natural language use. Each lesson focuses on a single vocabulary item while incorporating previously learned material, creating a spiral curriculum that reinforces learning through varied contexts.
The dual-script presentation (Boko and Ajami) honors Hausa’s rich literary traditions while equipping learners for both modern and historical texts. Nigerian currency still displays Hausa values in Ajami script, and religious and poetic texts continue to be written in this tradition.
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The autodidact methodology employed in these lessons allows self-directed learners to make rapid progress without classroom instruction. The interlinear glossing format provides immediate feedback, enabling learners to check their comprehension at every step while absorbing grammatical patterns through exposure rather than explicit memorization.
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Lesson 25 Complete
nexal-code: hausa-lesson-25-ce-say-verb-speech-communication-boko-ajami-latinum-institute-modern-language-course-tam-markers-proverbs-karin-magana
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