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Welcome to Lesson 26 of the Latinum Institute Hausa Course. Today we explore one of the most essential and frequently used words in Hausa: the locative preposition à (often written simply as a), meaning “at,” “in,” or “on.”
In Hausa, à functions as the all-purpose locative marker, indicating position, location, and sometimes the setting for an action. Unlike English, which distinguishes between “at,” “in,” and “on” with different prepositions, Hausa employs this single versatile particle to cover all these spatial relationships. Context and the noun that follows determine the precise English equivalent.
Hausa is written in two scripts: -
Boko: The Latin-based alphabet (modern standard since the 1950s) -
Ajami (عَجَمِي): The Arabic-based script used since at least the 17th century, particularly for Islamic literature and poetry
In this lesson, Section A presents both scripts: line a shows Boko (Latin) with glosses, and line b shows Ajami (Arabic script) with romanization and glosses.
FAQ: What does “à” mean in Hausa? The Hausa word à (a) is a locative preposition equivalent to English “at,” “in,” or “on.” It marks the location where something exists or an action takes place. For example: Yana a gida means “He is at home.”
Link to Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Key Takeaways -
À is Hausa’s primary locative preposition covering “at,” “in,” and “on” -
It directly precedes the noun it governs -
Hausa is a tonal language—tone affects meaning but is often unmarked in standard orthography -
Both Boko (Latin) and Ajami (Arabic) scripts are used for Hausa -
The preposition cannot normally be omitted in locative phrases
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Note on Format: Line a presents Boko (Latin script) with word-by-word English glosses. Line b presents Ajami (Arabic script) with romanization in parentheses and English glosses. Ajami is read right-to-left, but romanization is presented left-to-right for accessibility.
26.1a Yana he-is-CONT a at gida home 26.1b يَنَ (yana) he-is-CONT أَ (a) at گِدَ (gida) home
26.2a Yara children suna they-are-CONT wasa playing a at waje outside 26.2b يَرَ (yara) children سُنَ (suna) they-are-CONT وَسَ (wasa) playing أَ (a) at وَجِ (waje) outside
26.3a Ina where littafi book a at ? question 26.3b إِنَ (ina) where لِتَّفِ (littafi) book أَ (a) at ؟ question
26.4a Littafi book yana it-is-CONT a at kan on-top-of tebur table 26.4b لِتَّفِ (littafi) book يَنَ (yana) it-is-CONT أَ (a) at كَن (kan) on-top-of تِبُر (tebur) table
26.5a Muna we-are-CONT zaune sitting a at ɗakin room-of karatu study 26.5b مُنَ (muna) we-are-CONT زَونِ (zaune) sitting أَ (a) at ضَكِن (ɗakin) room-of كَرَتُ (karatu) study
26.6a Kana you(m)-are-CONT aiki work a at kasuwa market ? question 26.6b كَنَ (kana) you(m)-are-CONT أَيْكِ (aiki) work أَ (a) at كَسُوَ (kasuwa) market ؟ question
26.7a Tana she-is-CONT dafa cooking abinci food a at kicin kitchen 26.7b تَنَ (tana) she-is-CONT دَفَ (dafa) cooking أَبِنْجِ (abinci) food أَ (a) at كِجِن (kicin) kitchen
26.8a An one-PAST haifi give-birth ni me a at Kano Kano 26.8b أَن (an) one-PAST هَيْفِ (haifi) give-birth نِ (ni) me أَ (a) at كَنُو (Kano) Kano
26.9a Bayan after aiki work mukan we-HAB huta rest a at gida home 26.9b بَيَن (bayan) after أَيْكِ (aiki) work مُكَن (mukan) we-HAB هُتَ (huta) rest أَ (a) at گِدَ (gida) home
26.10a Malamai teachers suna they-are-CONT koyarwa teaching a at makaranta school 26.10b مَلَمَيْ (malamai) teachers سُنَ (suna) they-are-CONT كُيَرْوَ (koyarwa) teaching أَ (a) at مَكَرَنْتَ (makaranta) school
26.11a Akwai there-is ruwa water a at cikin inside-of randa well 26.11b أَكْوَيْ (akwai) there-is رُوَ (ruwa) water أَ (a) at جِكِن (cikin) inside-of رَنْدَ (randa) well
26.12a Muka we-COMPL sadu meet a at wurin place-of taron meeting-of 26.12b مُكَ (muka) we-COMPL سَدُ (sadu) meet أَ (a) at وُرِن (wurin) place-of تَرُن (taron) meeting-of
26.13a Kifi fish yana it-is-CONT rayuwa living a at cikin inside-of ruwa water 26.13b كِفِ (kifi) fish يَنَ (yana) it-is-CONT رَيُوَ (rayuwa) living أَ (a) at جِكِن (cikin) inside-of رُوَ (ruwa) water
26.14a Mutane people sun they-COMPL taru gather a at dandalin square-of gari town 26.14b مُتَنِ (mutane) people سُن (sun) they-COMPL تَرُ (taru) gather أَ (a) at دَنْدَلِن (dandalin) square-of گَرِ (gari) town
26.15a Zan I-will jira wait ka you a at nan here 26.15b زَن (zan) I-will جِرَ (jira) wait كَ (ka) you أَ (a) at نَن (nan) here
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26.1 Yana a gida. يَنَ أَ گِدَ “He is at home.”
26.2 Yara suna wasa a waje. يَرَ سُنَ وَسَ أَ وَجِ “The children are playing outside.”
26.3 Ina littafi a? إِنَ لِتَّفِ أَ؟ “Where is the book?”
26.4 Littafi yana a kan tebur. لِتَّفِ يَنَ أَ كَن تِبُر “The book is on the table.”
26.5 Muna zaune a ɗakin karatu. مُنَ زَونِ أَ ضَكِن كَرَتُ “We are sitting in the study room.”
26.6 Kana aiki a kasuwa? كَنَ أَيْكِ أَ كَسُوَ؟ “Are you working at the market?”
26.7 Tana dafa abinci a kicin. تَنَ دَفَ أَبِنْجِ أَ كِجِن “She is cooking food in the kitchen.”
26.8 An haifi ni a Kano. أَن هَيْفِ نِ أَ كَنُو “I was born in Kano.”
26.9 Bayan aiki mukan huta a gida. بَيَن أَيْكِ مُكَن هُتَ أَ گِدَ “After work we usually rest at home.”
26.10 Malamai suna koyarwa a makaranta. مَلَمَيْ سُنَ كُيَرْوَ أَ مَكَرَنْتَ “The teachers are teaching at the school.”
26.11 Akwai ruwa a cikin randa. أَكْوَيْ رُوَ أَ جِكِن رَنْدَ “There is water in the well.”
26.12 Muka sadu a wurin taron. مُكَ سَدُ أَ وُرِن تَرُن “We met at the meeting place.”
26.13 Kifi yana rayuwa a cikin ruwa. كِفِ يَنَ رَيُوَ أَ جِكِن رُوَ “Fish live in water.”
26.14 Mutane sun taru a dandalin gari. مُتَنِ سُن تَرُ أَ دَنْدَلِن گَرِ “People gathered at the town square.”
26.15 Zan jira ka a nan. زَن جِرَ كَ أَ نَن “I will wait for you here.”
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Boko:
26.1 Yana a gida.
26.2 Yara suna wasa a waje.
26.3 Ina littafi a?
26.4 Littafi yana a kan tebur.
26.5 Muna zaune a ɗakin karatu.
26.6 Kana aiki a kasuwa?
26.7 Tana dafa abinci a kicin.
26.8 An haifi ni a Kano.
26.9 Bayan aiki mukan huta a gida.
26.10 Malamai suna koyarwa a makaranta.
26.11 Akwai ruwa a cikin randa.
26.12 Muka sadu a wurin taron.
26.13 Kifi yana rayuwa a cikin ruwa.
26.14 Mutane sun taru a dandalin gari.
26.15 Zan jira ka a nan.
Ajami:
26.1 يَنَ أَ گِدَ
26.2 يَرَ سُنَ وَسَ أَ وَجِ
26.3 إِنَ لِتَّفِ أَ؟
26.4 لِتَّفِ يَنَ أَ كَن تِبُر
26.5 مُنَ زَونِ أَ ضَكِن كَرَتُ
26.6 كَنَ أَيْكِ أَ كَسُوَ؟
26.7 تَنَ دَفَ أَبِنْجِ أَ كِجِن
26.8 أَن هَيْفِ نِ أَ كَنُو
26.9 بَيَن أَيْكِ مُكَن هُتَ أَ گِدَ
26.10 مَلَمَيْ سُنَ كُيَرْوَ أَ مَكَرَنْتَ
26.11 أَكْوَيْ رُوَ أَ جِكِن رَنْدَ
26.12 مُكَ سَدُ أَ وُرِن تَرُن
26.13 كِفِ يَنَ رَيُوَ أَ جِكِن رُوَ
26.14 مُتَنِ سُن تَرُ أَ دَنْدَلِن گَرِ
26.15 زَن جِرَ كَ أَ نَن
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These are the grammar rules for à (a):
Basic Function
The preposition à (commonly written a in standard Boko orthography) is Hausa’s all-purpose locative marker. It corresponds to English “at,” “in,” and “on,” with context determining the precise meaning. The word is pronounced with a low tone (à) in scholarly transcription, though tone marks are typically omitted in everyday writing.
Position in Sentences
The preposition a immediately precedes the location noun or phrase:
a gida = “at home” a kasuwa = “at the market” a Kano = “in Kano”
Interaction with Other Locative Words
Hausa has more specific locative words that often follow a to provide precise spatial information:
a kan = “on (top of)” — a kan tebur = “on the table” a cikin = “inside” — a cikin gida = “inside the house” a ƙarƙashin = “under” — a ƙarƙashin itace = “under the tree” a bayan = “behind” — a bayan gida = “behind the house” a gaban = “in front of” — a gaban makaranta = “in front of the school”
With the Continuous Pronouns
An important note: the Hausa continuous pronouns (yana, tana, suna, muna, etc.) already incorporate the meaning of “being at” when followed directly by a location noun. However, the preposition a is still typically used:
Yana a gida = “He is at home” (standard) Yana gida = Also acceptable in some dialects, but a is preferred
Locative Questions
The question word ina (”where”) is used for locative questions:
Ina ka? = “Where are you?” Yara suna a ina? = “Where are the children?”
With Place Names
When indicating cities, countries, or regions, a functions like English “in”:
a Nijeriya = “in Nigeria” a Kano = “in Kano” a Afirka = “in Africa”
Temporal Uses
While primarily locative, a can also mark time expressions:
a ƙarfe bakwai = “at seven o’clock” a ranar Litinin = “on Monday”
Common Mistakes
Learners often: -
Omit a entirely (incorrect in most contexts) -
Confuse a with da (”with”) — these have completely different functions -
Over-translate by using multiple prepositions where one suffices
Script Notes
In Ajami, a is written with alif (أَ). The fatha diacritic (short ‘a’ mark) is often included to distinguish it clearly. Ajami fully marks vowels because, unlike Arabic, Hausa cannot rely on consonant patterns alone for meaning.
Grammatical Summary
Primary meaning: locative “at, in, on” Position: precedes location noun Tone: low (à) in scholarly transcription Can combine with: cikin (inside), kan (on), bayan (behind), gaban (front), etc. Cannot be omitted: in most locative constructions the preposition is required
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Hausa as a Lingua Franca
Hausa is one of Africa’s most widely spoken languages, with approximately 70-100 million speakers across Nigeria, Niger, and throughout West Africa. It serves as a lingua franca for Muslim communities across the Sahel region. The locative preposition a is therefore one of the most essential words for anyone navigating this vast linguistic sphere.
The Importance of Place in Hausa Culture
Location carries significant cultural weight in Hausa society. Traditional greetings often inquire about one’s location and the location of family members. The phrase Ina gida? (”How is home?”) reflects this cultural emphasis on place and belonging.
Boko and Ajami: Two Scripts, One Language
Hausa’s dual writing systems reflect its cultural history. Ajami developed with the spread of Islam from the 14th century onward, becoming the medium for religious poetry, historical chronicles, and commercial records. When British colonial administrators introduced the Latin-based Boko script in the early 20th century, it was initially called boko (meaning “deceit” or “sham”) by those who saw it as culturally foreign. Today, Boko is standard for secular education and media, while Ajami remains important in Islamic contexts. Remarkably, Nigerian currency still features Hausa in Ajami script—the only native Nigerian language so honored.
Regional Variations
Standard Hausa is based on the Kano dialect, considered the prestige variety. While a is universal across dialects, slight variations in pronunciation and usage exist. Speakers from different regions may combine a with different locative specifiers, though the core function remains consistent.
The Sokoto Caliphate Literary Tradition
The 19th-century Sokoto Caliphate produced a remarkable literary tradition in Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic. Scholars like Shehu Usman dan Fodio and his daughter Nana Asma’u composed poetry addressing religious, ethical, and social themes. This literature demonstrates sophisticated use of locative constructions, often describing spiritual journeys and physical pilgrimages.
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From the Hausa Poetic Tradition of Sokoto
The following passage is inspired by the style of Nana Asma’u (1793-1864), the renowned scholar, poet, and educator of the Sokoto Caliphate. Her works were composed in Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic, and she is celebrated for her contributions to women’s education through the Yan Taru movement.
Source: Adapted from traditional Hausa Islamic verse in the style of the Sokoto scholars
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Boko: Mu tafi a hanya ta gaskiya, Mu zauna a cikin tsoron Allah, Mu koya a makarantar hikima, Mu samu albarka a duniya da lahira.
26.F1a Mu we-SUBJ tafi go a on hanya road ta of-FEM gaskiya truth 26.F1b مُ (mu) we-SUBJ تَفِ (tafi) go أَ (a) on هَنْيَ (hanya) road تَ (ta) of-FEM گَسْكِيَ (gaskiya) truth
26.F2a Mu we-SUBJ zauna dwell a in cikin inside-of tsoron fear-of Allah God 26.F2b مُ (mu) we-SUBJ زَونَ (zauna) dwell أَ (a) in جِكِن (cikin) inside-of تْسُرُن (tsoron) fear-of اللّٰه (Allah) God
26.F3a Mu we-SUBJ koya learn a at makarantar school-of hikima wisdom 26.F3b مُ (mu) we-SUBJ كُيَ (koya) learn أَ (a) at مَكَرَنْتَر (makarantar) school-of هِكِمَ (hikima) wisdom
26.F4a Mu we-SUBJ samu obtain albarka blessing a in duniya world da and lahira hereafter 26.F4b مُ (mu) we-SUBJ سَمُ (samu) obtain أَلْبَرْكَ (albarka) blessing أَ (a) in دُنْيَ (duniya) world دَ (da) and لَهِرَ (lahira) hereafter
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Boko: Mu tafi a hanya ta gaskiya, Mu zauna a cikin tsoron Allah, Mu koya a makarantar hikima, Mu samu albarka a duniya da lahira.
Ajami: مُ تَفِ أَ هَنْيَ تَ گَسْكِيَ، مُ زَونَ أَ جِكِن تْسُرُن اللّٰه، مُ كُيَ أَ مَكَرَنْتَر هِكِمَ، مُ سَمُ أَلْبَرْكَ أَ دُنْيَ دَ لَهِرَ۔
“Let us walk on the path of truth, Let us dwell in the fear of God, Let us learn at the school of wisdom, Let us obtain blessings in this world and the hereafter.”
F-C: Original Script Only
Boko: Mu tafi a hanya ta gaskiya, Mu zauna a cikin tsoron Allah, Mu koya a makarantar hikima, Mu samu albarka a duniya da lahira.
Ajami: مُ تَفِ أَ هَنْيَ تَ گَسْكِيَ، مُ زَونَ أَ جِكِن تْسُرُن اللّٰه، مُ كُيَ أَ مَكَرَنْتَر هِكِمَ، مُ سَمُ أَلْبَرْكَ أَ دُنْيَ دَ لَهِرَ۔
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This verse demonstrates multiple uses of a: -
a hanya = “on the path” (metaphorical location) -
a cikin tsoron Allah = “in the fear of God” (abstract location) -
a makarantar hikima = “at the school of wisdom” (institutional location) -
a duniya = “in this world” (cosmic location)
Key vocabulary: -
hanya (f.) = road, path, way -
gaskiya (f.) = truth -
tsoron = fear of (genitive construction) -
hikima (f.) = wisdom (from Arabic حكمة) -
albarka (f.) = blessing (from Arabic بركة) -
duniya (f.) = world (from Arabic دنيا) -
lahira (f.) = hereafter, afterlife (from Arabic آخرة)
The subjunctive marker mu indicates exhortation (”let us”). Note the extensive Arabic vocabulary, reflecting centuries of Islamic influence on Hausa.
F-E: Literary Commentary
This passage reflects the didactic tradition of Sokoto poetry, where verse served as a teaching tool for religious and moral instruction. Nana Asma’u and her contemporaries used mnemonic poetry to educate women across the caliphate through the Yan Taru network of teachers. The repeated use of locative a creates a spiritual geography—a map of proper living from “the path of truth” to “the school of wisdom” and finally to “the world and the hereafter.”
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The following dialogue takes place at a Hausa market, demonstrating authentic uses of the locative preposition à in everyday commercial interaction.
26.16a Sannu greeting ! exclamation Ina where ne is dillalinka stall-your(m) a at yau today ? question 26.16b سَنُّ (sannu) greeting ! exclamation إِنَ (ina) where نِ (ne) is دِلَّلِنْكَ (dillalinka) stall-your(m) أَ (a) at يَوْ (yau) today ؟ question
26.17a Yana it-is-CONT a at can there kusa near da with ƙofar gate-of shiga entry 26.17b يَنَ (yana) it-is-CONT أَ (a) at جَن (can) there كُسَ (kusa) near دَ (da) with قُفَر (ƙofar) gate-of شِگَ (shiga) entry
26.18a Me what kake you(m)-are-CONT sayarwa selling a at yau today ? question 26.18b مِ (me) what كَكِ (kake) you(m)-are-CONT سَيَرْوَ (sayarwa) selling أَ (a) at يَوْ (yau) today ؟ question
26.19a Ina I-CONT da with tumatir tomatoes da and albasa onions a at nan here 26.19b إِنَ (ina) I-CONT دَ (da) with تُمَتِر (tumatir) tomatoes دَ (da) and أَلْبَسَ (albasa) onions أَ (a) at نَن (nan) here
26.20a Nawa how-much ne is tumatir tomatoes a at kwanon bowl-of nan this ? question 26.20b نَوَ (nawa) how-much نِ (ne) is تُمَتِر (tumatir) tomatoes أَ (a) at كْوَنُن (kwanon) bowl-of نَن (nan) this ؟ question
26.21a Naira naira ɗari hundred a at kwano bowl ɗaya one 26.21b نَيْرَ (naira) naira ضَرِ (ɗari) hundred أَ (a) at كْوَنُ (kwano) bowl ضَيَ (ɗaya) one
26.22a Wannan this albasa onion ta she fito come-from a at ina where ? question 26.22b وَنَّن (wannan) this أَلْبَسَ (albasa) onion تَ (ta) she فِتُ (fito) come-from أَ (a) at إِنَ (ina) where ؟ question
26.23a Ta she fito come-from a at gonar farm-of mu us a at ƙauye village 26.23b تَ (ta) she فِتُ (fito) come-from أَ (a) at گُنَر (gonar) farm-of مُ (mu) us أَ (a) at قَوْيِ (ƙauye) village
26.24a Sai then mu we cimma reach yarjejeniya agreement a at farashin price-of ! exclamation 26.24b سَيْ (sai) then مُ (mu) we جِمَّ (cimma) reach يَرْجِجِنِيَ (yarjejeniya) agreement أَ (a) at فَرَشِن (farashin) price-of ! exclamation
26.25a Zan I-will biya pay a at lokacin time-of da that na I dawo return 26.25b زَن (zan) I-will بِيَ (biya) pay أَ (a) at لُكَجِن (lokacin) time-of دَ (da) that نَ (na) I دَوُ (dawo) return
26.26a Kwanakin baskets-of kayan goods-of miya soup suna they-are-CONT a at wani another wuri place 26.26b كْوَنَكِن (kwanakin) baskets-of كَيَن (kayan) goods-of مِيَ (miya) soup سُنَ (suna) they-are-CONT أَ (a) at وَنِ (wani) another وُرِ (wuri) place
26.27a Kasuwar market-of nama meat tana she-is-CONT a at bayan behind-of nan here 26.27b كَسُوَر (kasuwar) market-of نَمَ (nama) meat تَنَ (tana) she-is-CONT أَ (a) at بَيَن (bayan) behind-of نَن (nan) here
26.28a Akwai there-is wurin place-of hutawa resting a at kusa near ? question 26.28b أَكْوَيْ (akwai) there-is وُرِن (wurin) place-of هُتَوَ (hutawa) resting أَ (a) at كُسَ (kusa) near ؟ question
26.29a I yes , comma a at ƙarƙashin under-of itacen tree-of nan that akwai there-is inuwa shade 26.29b إِ (i) yes ، comma أَ (a) at قَرْقَشِن (ƙarƙashin) under-of إِتَجِن (itacen) tree-of نَن (nan) that أَكْوَيْ (akwai) there-is إِنُوَ (inuwa) shade
26.30a Madalla wonderful ! exclamation Kasuwar market-of nan this tana she-is-CONT da with dadi pleasantness a at yau today 26.30b مَدَلَّ (madalla) wonderful ! exclamation كَسُوَر (kasuwar) market-of نَن (nan) this تَنَ (tana) she-is-CONT دَ (da) with دَدِ (dadi) pleasantness أَ (a) at يَوْ (yau) today
26.16 Sannu! Ina ne dillalinka a yau? سَنُّ! إِنَ نِ دِلَّلِنْكَ أَ يَوْ؟ “Hello! Where is your stall today?”
26.17 Yana a can kusa da ƙofar shiga. يَنَ أَ جَن كُسَ دَ قُفَر شِگَ “It’s over there near the entrance gate.”
26.18 Me kake sayarwa a yau? مِ كَكِ سَيَرْوَ أَ يَوْ؟ “What are you selling today?”
26.19 Ina da tumatir da albasa a nan. إِنَ دَ تُمَتِر دَ أَلْبَسَ أَ نَن “I have tomatoes and onions here.”
26.20 Nawa ne tumatir a kwanon nan? نَوَ نِ تُمَتِر أَ كْوَنُن نَن؟ “How much are the tomatoes in this bowl?”
26.21 Naira ɗari a kwano ɗaya. نَيْرَ ضَرِ أَ كْوَنُ ضَيَ “One hundred naira per bowl.”
26.22 Wannan albasa ta fito a ina? وَنَّن أَلْبَسَ تَ فِتُ أَ إِنَ؟ “Where did these onions come from?”
26.23 Ta fito a gonar mu a ƙauye. تَ فِتُ أَ گُنَر مُ أَ قَوْيِ “They came from our farm in the village.”
26.24 Sai mu cimma yarjejeniya a farashin! سَيْ مُ جِمَّ يَرْجِجِنِيَ أَ فَرَشِن! “Then let’s reach an agreement on the price!”
26.25 Zan biya a lokacin da na dawo. زَن بِيَ أَ لُكَجِن دَ نَ دَوُ “I will pay at the time when I return.”
26.26 Kwanakin kayan miya suna a wani wuri. كْوَنَكِن كَيَن مِيَ سُنَ أَ وَنِ وُرِ “The baskets of soup ingredients are at another place.”
26.27 Kasuwar nama tana a bayan nan. كَسُوَر نَمَ تَنَ أَ بَيَن نَن “The meat market is behind here.”
26.28 Akwai wurin hutawa a kusa? أَكْوَيْ وُرِن هُتَوَ أَ كُسَ؟ “Is there a resting place nearby?”
26.29 I, a ƙarƙashin itacen nan akwai inuwa. إِ، أَ قَرْقَشِن إِتَجِن نَن أَكْوَيْ إِنُوَ “Yes, under that tree there is shade.”
26.30 Madalla! Kasuwar nan tana da dadi a yau. مَدَلَّ! كَسُوَر نَن تَنَ دَ دَدِ أَ يَوْ “Wonderful! This market is pleasant today.”
Boko:
26.16 Sannu! Ina ne dillalinka a yau?
26.17 Yana a can kusa da ƙofar shiga.
26.18 Me kake sayarwa a yau?
26.19 Ina da tumatir da albasa a nan.
26.20 Nawa ne tumatir a kwanon nan?
26.21 Naira ɗari a kwano ɗaya.
26.22 Wannan albasa ta fito a ina?
26.23 Ta fito a gonar mu a ƙauye.
26.24 Sai mu cimma yarjejeniya a farashin!
26.25 Zan biya a lokacin da na dawo.
26.26 Kwanakin kayan miya suna a wani wuri.
26.27 Kasuwar nama tana a bayan nan.
26.28 Akwai wurin hutawa a kusa?
26.29 I, a ƙarƙashin itacen nan akwai inuwa.
26.30 Madalla! Kasuwar nan tana da dadi a yau.
Ajami:
26.16 سَنُّ! إِنَ نِ دِلَّلِنْكَ أَ يَوْ؟
26.17 يَنَ أَ جَن كُسَ دَ قُفَر شِگَ
26.18 مِ كَكِ سَيَرْوَ أَ يَوْ؟
26.19 إِنَ دَ تُمَتِر دَ أَلْبَسَ أَ نَن
26.20 نَوَ نِ تُمَتِر أَ كْوَنُن نَن؟
26.21 نَيْرَ ضَرِ أَ كْوَنُ ضَيَ
26.22 وَنَّن أَلْبَسَ تَ فِتُ أَ إِنَ؟
26.23 تَ فِتُ أَ گُنَر مُ أَ قَوْيِ
26.24 سَيْ مُ جِمَّ يَرْجِجِنِيَ أَ فَرَشِن!
26.25 زَن بِيَ أَ لُكَجِن دَ نَ دَوُ
26.26 كْوَنَكِن كَيَن مِيَ سُنَ أَ وَنِ وُرِ
26.27 كَسُوَر نَمَ تَنَ أَ بَيَن نَن
26.28 أَكْوَيْ وُرِن هُتَوَ أَ كُسَ؟
26.29 إِ، أَ قَرْقَشِن إِتَجِن نَن أَكْوَيْ إِنُوَ
26.30 مَدَلَّ! كَسُوَر نَن تَنَ دَ دَدِ أَ يَوْ
This dialogue demonstrates several advanced uses of the locative preposition a:
Temporal Uses: -
a yau = “today” (literally “at today”) -
a lokacin = “at the time”
Spatial Combinations: -
a can = “over there” -
a nan = “here” -
a kusa = “nearby” -
a bayan = “behind” -
a ƙarƙashin = “under”
With Price/Rate: -
a kwano ɗaya = “per bowl” (literally “at one bowl”) -
a farashin = “at the price”
Origin with fito: -
ta fito a ina? = “where did she/it come from?” — demonstrating a marking origin/source
Market Vocabulary: -
dillali = stall, market stand -
kasuwa = market -
sayarwa = selling (verbal noun) -
tumatir = tomatoes (from English) -
albasa = onion (from Arabic بصل) -
kwano = bowl, calabash -
farashi = price (from Arabic) -
nama = meat -
kayan miya = soup ingredients (lit. “things of soup”) -
inuwa = shade -
madalla = wonderful, excellent (expression of approval)
The dialogue shows how a functions not only for location but also for rate, time, and origin—demonstrating its versatility in everyday Hausa speech.
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The Preposition à/a
IPA: /à/ (low tone) The sound is similar to English “ah” but with a distinct low pitch. In Hausa’s tonal system, this low tone distinguishes it from high-toned words.
Special Hausa Sounds
Hausa has several sounds not found in English:
Implosives (voiced, with ingressive airflow): -
ɓ = implosive b (IPA: /ɓ/) -
ɗ = implosive d (IPA: /ɗ/)
Ejectives (voiceless, with glottal closure): -
ƙ = ejective k (IPA: /kʼ/)
Other Consonants: -
c = like English “ch” (IPA: /tʃ/) -
j = like English “j” (IPA: /dʒ/) -
ts = like “ts” in “cats” (IPA: /tsʼ/, ejective in some dialects)
Vowels: Long and short vowels are distinguished: -
Short: a, e, i, o, u -
Long: aa, ee, ii, oo, uu (written doubled in scholarly transcription)
Tone: Hausa has three tones: high (unmarked or with acute accent á), low (grave accent à), and falling (circumflex â). Standard orthography omits tone marks, requiring learners to memorize patterns.
Common Pronunciation Errors: -
English speakers often use flat intonation—practice the tonal rise and fall -
The ejective ƙ requires a “popping” sound from glottal closure -
The implosive ɗ requires drawing air inward while voicing -
Vowel length matters: kara (to increase) vs. kaara (to add)
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Modern Language Course series, designed for autodidact learners using the interlinear glossing method developed through decades of language teaching experience.
The Latinum Institute has been creating comprehensive language learning materials since 2006, serving students worldwide through its innovative approach to classical and modern languages. Our methodology emphasizes: -
Interlinear glossing that provides immediate comprehension without constant dictionary consultation -
Authentic texts drawn from literary and cultural sources -
Systematic vocabulary building through frequency-based progression -
Dual-script presentation for languages with multiple writing systems
The Hausa course presents vocabulary systematically from a frequency-ranked list of 1,000 essential words, ensuring learners acquire the most useful vocabulary first. Each lesson is self-contained, using the interlinear format to make any necessary vocabulary immediately accessible.
Why Learn Hausa?
Hausa is one of Africa’s most important languages, with more native speakers than any other sub-Saharan African language. It serves as a lingua franca across West Africa and is an official language in Nigeria and Niger. Learning Hausa opens doors to: -
A rich literary tradition spanning centuries -
Communication with over 70 million speakers -
Understanding of West African history and Islamic culture -
Access to one of the world’s major broadcasting languages (BBC Hausa, VOA Hausa, etc.)
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
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Lesson 26 Complete
hau nexal-hausa lingua-franca west-africa boko-script ajami-arabic-script locative-preposition chadic-languages sokoto-caliphate nana-asma’u frequency-learning interlinear-glossing autodidact latinum-institute
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