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Welcome to Lesson 30 of the Latinum Institute Modern Language Course in Hausa. This lesson introduces the fundamental motion verb tafi (تَفِ), meaning “to go” or “to leave.” As one of the most frequently used verbs in Hausa, tafi is essential for expressing movement, travel, and departure—concepts central to Hausa culture, where trade routes and pilgrimages have shaped society for centuries.
Hausa is written in two scripts: Boko (the standardized Latin-based alphabet) and Ajami (an Arabic-derived script used since the 14th century). This lesson presents both scripts to give learners a complete understanding of written Hausa. The interlinear format provides word-by-word glossing in both Boko (line a) and Ajami (line b), enabling autodidact learners to build comprehension systematically.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “tafi” mean in Hausa?
“Tafi” (تَفِ) is the Hausa verb meaning “to go” or “to leave.” It belongs to Grade 1 of the Hausa verb classification system and forms the verbal noun “tafiya” (going/traveling). This verb appears with various tense/aspect markers to express completed actions (ya tafi - he went), ongoing actions (yana tafiya - he is going), and future intentions (zai tafi - he will go).
Key Takeaways
In this lesson, you will learn how “tafi” functions across different tenses and contexts. You will encounter the verb with completive markers (ya, ta, na, sun), continuous constructions (ina tafiya, yana tafiya), future markers (zan, zai, za ta), and negative forms (ban tafi ba). The examples progress from simple sentences to complex literary constructions, demonstrating how Hausa speakers naturally express movement, travel plans, departures, and journeys. The cultural significance of travel in Hausa society—from market journeys to the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca—emerges through these authentic examples.
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Boko (Latin-based orthography): Standard left-to-right script used officially since 1930. Special characters include: ɓ (implosive b), ɗ (implosive d), ƙ (ejective k), ʼy (glottalized y), and ‘y (palatal glide).
Ajami (Arabic-derived script): Written right-to-left. Unlike Arabic, Hausa Ajami retains all vowel diacritics because Hausa vowels are essential for meaning. The script was the primary writing system for Hausa from the 14th century until colonial standardization of Boko.
Pronunciation notes: Hausa is tonal with three tones (high, low, falling). Vowel length is phonemic. In this lesson, pronunciation guides appear in parentheses using simplified phonetic notation.
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30.1a Ya he-COMPL tafi went kasuwa market يَ تَفِ كَسُوَ
30.1b Ya (yah) he-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) went kasuwa (kah-soo-wah) market
30.2a Ina I-am tafiya going zuwa to gida home اِنَ تَفِيَ زُوَ گِدَ
30.2b Ina (ee-nah) I-am tafiya (tah-fee-yah) going zuwa (zoo-wah) to gida (gee-dah) home
30.3a Yara children sun they-COMPL tafi went makaranta school يَرَ سُن تَفِ مَكَرَنْتَ
30.3b Yara (yah-rah) children sun (soon) they-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) went makaranta (mah-kah-ran-tah) school
30.4a Zan I-will tafi go Kano Kano gobe tomorrow زَنْ تَفِ كَنٜو گٜوبٜى
30.4b Zan (zahn) I-will tafi (tah-fee) go Kano (kah-noh) Kano gobe (goh-bay) tomorrow
30.5a Ban NEG-I tafi go ba NEG jiya yesterday بَنْ تَفِ بَ جِيَ
30.5b Ban (bahn) NEG-I tafi (tah-fee) go ba (bah) NEG jiya (jee-yah) yesterday
30.6a Ta she-COMPL tafi went zuwa to asibiti hospital تَ تَفِ زُوَ اَسِبِتِ
30.6b Ta (tah) she-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) went zuwa (zoo-wah) to asibiti (ah-see-bee-tee) hospital
30.7a Mun we-COMPL tafi went tare together da with shi him مُنْ تَفِ تَرٜى دَ شِ
30.7b Mun (moon) we-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) went tare (tah-ray) together da (dah) with shi (shee) him
30.8a Zai he-will tafi go aiki work da with safe morning زَيْ تَفِ اَيْكِ دَ سَفٜى
30.8b Zai (zah-ee) he-will tafi (tah-fee) go aiki (ah-ee-kee) work da (dah) with safe (sah-fay) morning
30.9a Yana he-is tafiya going cikin inside mota car يَنَ تَفِيَ چِكِنْ مٜوتَ
30.9b Yana (yah-nah) he-is tafiya (tah-fee-yah) going cikin (chee-keen) inside mota (moh-tah) car
30.10a Abokina my-friend ya he-COMPL tafi went Makka Mecca اَبٜوكِنَ يَ تَفِ مَكَّ
30.10b Abokina (ah-boh-kee-nah) my-friend ya (yah) he-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) went Makka (mak-kah) Mecca
30.11a Kada don’t ka you-MASC tafi go yanzu now كَدَ كَ تَفِ يَنْزُ
30.11b Kada (kah-dah) don’t ka (kah) you-MASC tafi (tah-fee) go yanzu (yahn-zoo) now
30.12a Mutane people da many yawa many suna they-are tafiya going zuwa to kasuwa market مُتَنٜى دَ يَوَ سُنَ تَفِيَ زُوَ كَسُوَ
30.12b Mutane (moo-tah-nay) people da (dah) many yawa (yah-wah) many suna (soo-nah) they-are tafiya (tah-fee-yah) going zuwa (zoo-wah) to kasuwa (kah-soo-wah) market
30.13a Bayan after ya he-COMPL tafi left sai then ruwan rain sama sky ya it-COMPL fara began بَيَنْ يَ تَفِ سَيْ رُوَنْ سَمَ يَ فَرَ
30.13b Bayan (bah-yahn) after ya (yah) he-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) left sai (sah-ee) then ruwan (roo-wahn) rain sama (sah-mah) sky ya (yah) it-COMPL fara (fah-rah) began
30.14a Ina where za will ka you-MASC tafi go اِنَ زَ كَ تَفِ
30.14b Ina (ee-nah) where za (zah) will ka (kah) you-MASC tafi (tah-fee) go
30.15a Tafiya going mabuɗin key-of ilimi knowledge ce is-FEM تَفِيَ مَبُضِنْ عِلِمِ چٜى
30.15b Tafiya (tah-fee-yah) going mabuɗin (mah-boo-deen) key-of ilimi (ee-lee-mee) knowledge ce (chay) is-FEM
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30.1 Ya tafi kasuwa. يَ تَفِ كَسُوَ “He went to the market.”
30.2 Ina tafiya zuwa gida. اِنَ تَفِيَ زُوَ گِدَ “I am going home.”
30.3 Yara sun tafi makaranta. يَرَ سُن تَفِ مَكَرَنْتَ “The children went to school.”
30.4 Zan tafi Kano gobe. زَنْ تَفِ كَنٜو گٜوبٜى “I will go to Kano tomorrow.”
30.5 Ban tafi ba jiya. بَنْ تَفِ بَ جِيَ “I did not go yesterday.”
30.6 Ta tafi zuwa asibiti. تَ تَفِ زُوَ اَسِبِتِ “She went to the hospital.”
30.7 Mun tafi tare da shi. مُنْ تَفِ تَرٜى دَ شِ “We went together with him.”
30.8 Zai tafi aiki da safe. زَيْ تَفِ اَيْكِ دَ سَفٜى “He will go to work in the morning.”
30.9 Yana tafiya cikin mota. يَنَ تَفِيَ چِكِنْ مٜوتَ “He is going inside a car.”
30.10 Abokina ya tafi Makka. اَبٜوكِنَ يَ تَفِ مَكَّ “My friend went to Mecca.”
30.11 Kada ka tafi yanzu. كَدَ كَ تَفِ يَنْزُ “Don’t go now.”
30.12 Mutane da yawa suna tafiya zuwa kasuwa. مُتَنٜى دَ يَوَ سُنَ تَفِيَ زُوَ كَسُوَ “Many people are going to the market.”
30.13 Bayan ya tafi, sai ruwan sama ya fara. بَيَنْ يَ تَفِ، سَيْ رُوَنْ سَمَ يَ فَرَ “After he left, then the rain began.”
30.14 Ina za ka tafi? اِنَ زَ كَ تَفِ؟ “Where will you go?”
30.15 Tafiya mabuɗin ilimi ce. تَفِيَ مَبُضِنْ عِلِمِ چٜى “Travel is the key to knowledge.”
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30.1 Ya tafi kasuwa. يَ تَفِ كَسُوَ
30.2 Ina tafiya zuwa gida. اِنَ تَفِيَ زُوَ گِدَ
30.3 Yara sun tafi makaranta. يَرَ سُن تَفِ مَكَرَنْتَ
30.4 Zan tafi Kano gobe. زَنْ تَفِ كَنٜو گٜوبٜى
30.5 Ban tafi ba jiya. بَنْ تَفِ بَ جِيَ
30.6 Ta tafi zuwa asibiti. تَ تَفِ زُوَ اَسِبِتِ
30.7 Mun tafi tare da shi. مُنْ تَفِ تَرٜى دَ شِ
30.8 Zai tafi aiki da safe. زَيْ تَفِ اَيْكِ دَ سَفٜى
30.9 Yana tafiya cikin mota. يَنَ تَفِيَ چِكِنْ مٜوتَ
30.10 Abokina ya tafi Makka. اَبٜوكِنَ يَ تَفِ مَكَّ
30.11 Kada ka tafi yanzu. كَدَ كَ تَفِ يَنْزُ
30.12 Mutane da yawa suna tafiya zuwa kasuwa. مُتَنٜى دَ يَوَ سُنَ تَفِيَ زُوَ كَسُوَ
30.13 Bayan ya tafi, sai ruwan sama ya fara. بَيَنْ يَ تَفِ، سَيْ رُوَنْ سَمَ يَ فَرَ
30.14 Ina za ka tafi? اِنَ زَ كَ تَفِ؟
30.15 Tafiya mabuɗin ilimi ce. تَفِيَ مَبُضِنْ عِلِمِ چٜى
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These are the grammar rules for “tafi” (to go):
Verb Classification: “Tafi” belongs to Grade 1 in the Hausa verb classification system developed by F.W. Parsons. Grade 1 verbs are sometimes called “regular verbs in -a” because they end in the vowel -i (or -a in other forms) and follow High-Low tone patterns for two-syllable verbs.
Verbal Noun Formation: The verbal noun of “tafi” is “tafiya” (going, traveling, journey). Hausa requires the verbal noun form in continuous/progressive constructions. While many Hausa verbs form verbal nouns by adding -wa to the base, “tafi” uses the non-wa pattern, changing the final vowel and adding -ya.
Tense and Aspect Markers: Hausa verbs do not conjugate for person like European languages. Instead, subject pronouns combine with tense/aspect markers that precede the verb.
Completive Aspect (completed actions): na tafi (I went), ka tafi (you-MASC went), kin tafi (you-FEM went), ya tafi (he went), ta tafi (she went), mun tafi (we went), kun tafi (you-PL went), sun tafi (they went).
Continuous Aspect (ongoing actions): Uses the pronoun + continuous marker + verbal noun: ina tafiya (I am going), kana tafiya (you-MASC are going), kina tafiya (you-FEM are going), yana tafiya (he is going), tana tafiya (she is going), muna tafiya (we are going), kuna tafiya (you-PL are going), suna tafiya (they are going).
Future Tense: zan tafi (I will go), za ka tafi (you-MASC will go), za ki tafi (you-FEM will go), zai tafi (he will go), za ta tafi (she will go), za mu tafi (we will go), za ku tafi (you-PL will go), za su tafi (they will go).
Negation: Hausa uses a discontinuous negative marker “ba...ba” that surrounds the clause. For completive: ban tafi ba (I did not go). For continuous: ba na tafiya ba (I am not going). For future: ba zan tafi ba (I will not go).
Prohibitive: “Kada” + subjunctive marker + verb: Kada ka tafi (Don’t go - to male), Kada ki tafi (Don’t go - to female).
Word Order: The basic structure is Subject + Tense/Aspect Marker + Verb + Object/Destination. The preposition “zuwa” (to, toward) frequently follows motion verbs to indicate destination.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the base verb “tafi” with the verbal noun “tafiya.” Remember: use “tafi” after completive and future markers, but “tafiya” after continuous markers.
Another common error is omitting both parts of the negative marker. “Ban tafi” is incomplete; the full form requires “ban tafi ba.”
English speakers may try to use “tafi” without tense markers. Unlike English, Hausa requires explicit aspect/tense marking on every verb phrase.
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The verb “tafi” carries deep cultural resonance in Hausa society. The Hausa people have been renowned traders and travelers across West Africa for centuries, with trade routes connecting northern Nigeria to distant markets in Ghana, Senegal, and beyond. This heritage makes motion verbs particularly rich in Hausa usage.
Travel and Trade: The phrase “tafiya zuwa kasuwa” (going to market) represents one of the most common uses of this verb. Traditional Hausa markets operate on rotating schedules, with different villages holding market days on different days of the week, necessitating regular travel.
Religious Significance: “Tafiya zuwa Makka” (the journey to Mecca) holds profound spiritual importance. The Hajj pilgrimage is a major life event for Hausa Muslims, and those who complete it earn the honorific title “Alhaji” (male) or “Hajiya” (female). The preparation for and stories about this journey form a significant part of social discourse.
Proverb: “Tafiya mabuɗin ilimi” (Travel is the key to knowledge) reflects the Hausa belief that experience gained through travel provides wisdom unavailable through study alone. This proverb encourages young people to venture beyond their communities.
Register Variations: In formal speech, “tafi” may be preceded by elaborate greetings and leave-taking formulas. The casual “zan tafi” (I will go) becomes more elaborate in respectful contexts with phrases like “da izinin Allah zan tafi” (with God’s permission, I will go).
Regional Variation: While “tafi” is standard across Hausa dialects, speakers in Niger may use slightly different tense markers or pronunciations than those in Nigeria. The verb remains mutually intelligible across the Hausa-speaking world.
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From “Magana Jari Ce” (Speech is Wealth) by Abubakar Imam (1937):
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
30.F.1a Da with safe morning da with safe morning manoma farmer ya he-COMPL fito emerged daga from gida home ya he-COMPL tafi went zuwa to gonarsa his-farm دَ سَفٜى دَ سَفٜى مَنٜومَ يَ فِتٜو دَگَ گِدَ يَ تَفِ زُوَ گٜونَرْسَ
30.F.1b Da (dah) with safe (sah-fay) morning da (dah) with safe (sah-fay) morning manoma (mah-noh-mah) farmer ya (yah) he-COMPL fito (fee-toh) emerged daga (dah-gah) from gida (gee-dah) home ya (yah) he-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) went zuwa (zoo-wah) to gonarsa (goh-nar-sah) his-farm
30.F.2a Zuwa arriving can there sai then ya he-COMPL fara began aiki work har until rana sun ta it-COMPL yi became sanyi cool زُوَ چَنْ سَيْ يَ فَرَ اَيْكِ هَرْ رَنَ تَ يِ سَنْيِ
30.F.2b Zuwa (zoo-wah) arriving can (chahn) there sai (sah-ee) then ya (yah) he-COMPL fara (fah-rah) began aiki (ah-ee-kee) work har (har) until rana (rah-nah) sun ta (tah) it-COMPL yi (yee) became sanyi (sahn-yee) cool
30.F.3a Amma but kullum always yana he-is zuwa going gonaki farms don for noman farming abinci food wa for iyalinsa his-family اَمَّ كُلُّمْ يَنَ زُوَ گٜونَكِ دٜونْ نٜومَنْ اَبِنْچِ وَ اِيَلِنْسَ
30.F.3b Amma (ahm-mah) but kullum (kool-loom) always yana (yah-nah) he-is zuwa (zoo-wah) going gonaki (goh-nah-kee) farms don (dohn) for noman (noh-mahn) farming abinci (ah-been-chee) food wa (wah) for iyalinsa (ee-yah-leen-sah) his-family
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Da safe da safe, manoma ya fito daga gida ya tafi zuwa gonarsa. Zuwa can, sai ya fara aiki har rana ta yi sanyi. Amma kullum yana zuwa gonaki don noman abinci wa iyalinsa.
دَ سَفٜى دَ سَفٜى، مَنٜومَ يَ فِتٜو دَگَ گِدَ يَ تَفِ زُوَ گٜونَرْسَ؞ زُوَ چَنْ، سَيْ يَ فَرَ اَيْكِ هَرْ رَنَ تَ يِ سَنْيِ؞ اَمَّ كُلُّمْ يَنَ زُوَ گٜونَكِ دٜونْ نٜومَنْ اَبِنْچِ وَ اِيَلِنْسَ؞
“Every morning, the farmer emerged from home and went to his farm. Arriving there, he would begin work until the sun became cool. But always he was going to the farms to cultivate food for his family.”
F-C: Original Script Only
Da safe da safe, manoma ya fito daga gida ya tafi zuwa gonarsa. Zuwa can, sai ya fara aiki har rana ta yi sanyi. Amma kullum yana zuwa gonaki don noman abinci wa iyalinsa.
دَ سَفٜى دَ سَفٜى، مَنٜومَ يَ فِتٜو دَگَ گِدَ يَ تَفِ زُوَ گٜونَرْسَ؞ زُوَ چَنْ، سَيْ يَ فَرَ اَيْكِ هَرْ رَنَ تَ يِ سَنْيِ؞ اَمَّ كُلُّمْ يَنَ زُوَ گٜونَكِ دٜونْ نٜومَنْ اَبِنْچِ وَ اِيَلِنْسَ؞
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage from Abubakar Imam’s classic work demonstrates multiple uses of motion verbs. The phrase “ya tafi zuwa gonarsa” (he went to his farm) shows the standard construction with completive marker + verb + destination. The word “zuwa” appears twice: first as a preposition meaning “to/toward” and second as a verbal noun meaning “arriving/going.” The repetition “da safe da safe” (morning after morning, every morning) creates emphasis and establishes habitual action. The continuous construction “yana zuwa” (he is going/he goes habitually) in the final sentence contrasts with the completive “ya tafi” earlier, showing the farmer’s ongoing routine versus specific completed actions.
F-E: Literary Commentary
Abubakar Imam (1911-1981) is considered the father of modern Hausa prose literature. “Magana Jari Ce” (Speech is Wealth), published in three volumes between 1937-1939, adapts folktales and stories from Arabic, Persian, and African sources into elegant Hausa prose. The work demonstrates how travel and daily journeys form the backbone of rural Hausa life. The farmer’s journey “daga gida zuwa gona” (from home to farm) represents the fundamental rhythm of agricultural society. Imam’s use of “ya tafi” followed by continuous “yana zuwa” shows sophisticated aspectual contrast—the specific morning journey versus the eternal pattern of farming life.
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
30.16a Wata one rana day Audu Audu ya he-COMPL yanke decided shawara decision ya he-COMPL tafi go zuwa to garin city-of Kano Kano وَتَ رَنَ اَوْدُ يَ يَنْكٜى شَوَرَ يَ تَفِ زُوَ گَرِنْ كَنٜو
30.16b Wata (wah-tah) one rana (rah-nah) day Audu (ah-oo-doo) Audu ya (yah) he-COMPL yanke (yahn-kay) decided shawara (shah-wah-rah) decision ya (yah) he-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) go zuwa (zoo-wah) to garin (gah-reen) city-of Kano (kah-noh) Kano
30.17a Ya he-COMPL shirya prepared kaya things ya he-COMPL gai farewell da with iyalinsa his-family sannan then ya he-COMPL tashi departed يَ شِرْيَ كَيَ يَ گَيْ دَ اِيَلِنْسَ سَنَّنْ يَ تَشِ
30.17b Ya (yah) he-COMPL shirya (sheer-yah) prepared kaya (kah-yah) things ya (yah) he-COMPL gai (gah-ee) farewell da (dah) with iyalinsa (ee-yah-leen-sah) his-family sannan (sahn-nahn) then ya (yah) he-COMPL tashi (tah-shee) departed
30.18a Da when ya he-COMPL fara began tafiya going rana sun tana it-was haskakawa shining دَ يَ فَرَ تَفِيَ رَنَ تَنَ هَسْكَكَوَ
30.18b Da (dah) when ya (yah) he-COMPL fara (fah-rah) began tafiya (tah-fee-yah) going rana (rah-nah) sun tana (tah-nah) it-was haskakawa (hahs-kah-kah-wah) shining
30.19a Ya he-COMPL bi followed hanya road har until ya he-COMPL isa reached wani certain ƙauye village يَ بِ هَنْيَ هَرْ يَ اِسَ وَنِ قَويٜى
30.19b Ya (yah) he-COMPL bi (bee) followed hanya (hahn-yah) road har (har) until ya (yah) he-COMPL isa (ee-sah) reached wani (wah-nee) certain ƙauye (kow-yay) village
30.20a A at nan there ya he-COMPL sami found abinci food ya he-COMPL ci ate ya he-COMPL sha drank ruwa water اَ نَنْ يَ سَمِ اَبِنْچِ يَ چِ يَ شَ رُوَ
30.20b A (ah) at nan (nahn) there ya (yah) he-COMPL sami (sah-mee) found abinci (ah-been-chee) food ya (yah) he-COMPL ci (chee) ate ya (yah) he-COMPL sha (shah) drank ruwa (roo-wah) water
30.21a Bayan after hutu rest ya he-COMPL ci continued gaba forward da with tafiyarsa his-journey بَيَنْ هُتُ يَ چِ گَبَ دَ تَفِيَرْسَ
30.21b Bayan (bah-yahn) after hutu (hoo-too) rest ya (yah) he-COMPL ci (chee) continued gaba (gah-bah) forward da (dah) with tafiyarsa (tah-fee-yar-sah) his-journey
30.22a Dare night ya it-COMPL yi became amma but bai NEG-he daina stopped tafiya going ba NEG دَرٜى يَ يِ اَمَّ بَيْ دَيْنَ تَفِيَ بَ
30.22b Dare (dah-ray) night ya (yah) it-COMPL yi (yee) became amma (ahm-mah) but bai (bah-ee) NEG-he daina (dah-ee-nah) stopped tafiya (tah-fee-yah) going ba (bah) NEG
30.23a Wata certain tauraro star tana it-was jagorantar guiding da him shi him a on hanya road وَتَ تَوْرَرٜو تَنَ جَگٜورَنْتَرْ دَ شِ اَ هَنْيَ
30.23b Wata (wah-tah) certain tauraro (tow-rah-roh) star tana (tah-nah) it-was jagorantar (jah-goh-rahn-tar) guiding da (dah) him shi (shee) him a (ah) on hanya (hahn-yah) road
30.24a Da when gari dawn ya it-COMPL waye broke sai then ya he-COMPL ga saw ganuwar walls-of Kano Kano دَ گَرِ يَ وَيٜى سَيْ يَ گَ گَنُوَرْ كَنٜو
30.24b Da (dah) when gari (gah-ree) dawn ya (yah) it-COMPL waye (wah-yay) broke sai (sah-ee) then ya (yah) he-COMPL ga (gah) saw ganuwar (gah-noo-war) walls-of Kano (kah-noh) Kano
30.25a Farin white ciki heart ya it-COMPL cika filled shi him domin because tafiyarsa his-journey ta it-COMPL yi became nasara success فَرِنْ چِكِ يَ چِكَ شِ دٜومِنْ تَفِيَرْسَ تَ يِ نَسَرَ
30.25b Farin (fah-reen) white ciki (chee-kee) heart ya (yah) it-COMPL cika (chee-kah) filled shi (shee) him domin (doh-meen) because tafiyarsa (tah-fee-yar-sah) his-journey ta (tah) it-COMPL yi (yee) became nasara (nah-sah-rah) success
30.26a Ya he-COMPL shiga entered birni city ya he-COMPL tafi went gidan house-of abokinsa his-friend يَ شِگَ بِرْنِ يَ تَفِ گِدَنْ اَبٜوكِنْسَ
30.26b Ya (yah) he-COMPL shiga (shee-gah) entered birni (beer-nee) city ya (yah) he-COMPL tafi (tah-fee) went gidan (gee-dahn) house-of abokinsa (ah-boh-keen-sah) his-friend
30.27a Abokinsa his-friend ya he-COMPL tarbe welcomed shi him da with murna joy sosai very-much اَبٜوكِنْسَ يَ تَرْبٜى شِ دَ مُرْنَ سٜوسَيْ
30.27b Abokinsa (ah-boh-keen-sah) his-friend ya (yah) he-COMPL tarbe (tar-bay) welcomed shi (shee) him da (dah) with murna (moor-nah) joy sosai (soh-sah-ee) very-much
30.28a Ya he-COMPL zauna stayed kwanaki days da and yawa many yana he-was tafiya going cikin inside kasuwar market-of Kano Kano يَ زَوْنَ كْوَنَكِ دَ يَوَ يَنَ تَفِيَ چِكِنْ كَسُوَرْ كَنٜو
30.28b Ya (yah) he-COMPL zauna (zow-nah) stayed kwanaki (kwah-nah-kee) days da (dah) and yawa (yah-wah) many yana (yah-nah) he-was tafiya (tah-fee-yah) going cikin (chee-keen) inside kasuwar (kah-soo-war) market-of Kano (kah-noh) Kano
30.29a Lokacin time-of dawowa returning ya it-COMPL yi came sai then ya he-COMPL tara gathered kaya goods ya he-COMPL koma returned gida home لٜوكَچِنْ دَوٜووَ يَ يِ سَيْ يَ تَرَ كَيَ يَ كٜومَ گِدَ
30.29b Lokacin (loh-kah-cheen) time-of dawowa (dah-woh-wah) returning ya (yah) it-COMPL yi (yee) came sai (sah-ee) then ya (yah) he-COMPL tara (tah-rah) gathered kaya (kah-yah) goods ya (yah) he-COMPL koma (koh-mah) returned gida (gee-dah) home
30.30a Tafiya journey ta it-COMPL kawo brought masa to-him ilimi knowledge da and arziki prosperity sosai indeed تَفِيَ تَ كَوٜو مَسَ عِلِمِ دَ اَرْزِكِ سٜوسَيْ
30.30b Tafiya (tah-fee-yah) journey ta (tah) it-COMPL kawo (kah-woh) brought masa (mah-sah) to-him ilimi (ee-lee-mee) knowledge da (dah) and arziki (ar-zee-kee) prosperity sosai (soh-sah-ee) indeed
Part B: Natural Sentences
30.16 Wata rana, Audu ya yanke shawara ya tafi zuwa garin Kano. وَتَ رَنَ، اَوْدُ يَ يَنْكٜى شَوَرَ يَ تَفِ زُوَ گَرِنْ كَنٜو “One day, Audu decided to go to the city of Kano.”
30.17 Ya shirya kaya, ya gai da iyalinsa, sannan ya tashi. يَ شِرْيَ كَيَ، يَ گَيْ دَ اِيَلِنْسَ، سَنَّنْ يَ تَشِ “He prepared his things, said farewell to his family, then departed.”
30.18 Da ya fara tafiya, rana tana haskakawa. دَ يَ فَرَ تَفِيَ، رَنَ تَنَ هَسْكَكَوَ “When he began traveling, the sun was shining.”
30.19 Ya bi hanya har ya isa wani ƙauye. يَ بِ هَنْيَ هَرْ يَ اِسَ وَنِ قَويٜى “He followed the road until he reached a certain village.”
30.20 A nan ya sami abinci, ya ci, ya sha ruwa. اَ نَنْ يَ سَمِ اَبِنْچِ، يَ چِ، يَ شَ رُوَ “There he found food, ate, and drank water.”
30.21 Bayan hutu, ya ci gaba da tafiyarsa. بَيَنْ هُتُ، يَ چِ گَبَ دَ تَفِيَرْسَ “After resting, he continued forward with his journey.”
30.22 Dare ya yi, amma bai daina tafiya ba. دَرٜى يَ يِ، اَمَّ بَيْ دَيْنَ تَفِيَ بَ “Night came, but he did not stop traveling.”
30.23 Wata tauraro tana jagorantar da shi a hanya. وَتَ تَوْرَرٜو تَنَ جَگٜورَنْتَرْ دَ شِ اَ هَنْيَ “A certain star was guiding him on the road.”
30.24 Da gari ya waye, sai ya ga ganuwar Kano. دَ گَرِ يَ وَيٜى، سَيْ يَ گَ گَنُوَرْ كَنٜو “When dawn broke, then he saw the walls of Kano.”
30.25 Farin ciki ya cika shi domin tafiyarsa ta yi nasara. فَرِنْ چِكِ يَ چِكَ شِ دٜومِنْ تَفِيَرْسَ تَ يِ نَسَرَ “Joy filled him because his journey was a success.”
30.26 Ya shiga birni, ya tafi gidan abokinsa. يَ شِگَ بِرْنِ، يَ تَفِ گِدَنْ اَبٜوكِنْسَ “He entered the city and went to his friend’s house.”
30.27 Abokinsa ya tarbe shi da murna sosai. اَبٜوكِنْسَ يَ تَرْبٜى شِ دَ مُرْنَ سٜوسَيْ “His friend welcomed him with great joy.”
30.28 Ya zauna kwanaki da yawa, yana tafiya cikin kasuwar Kano. يَ زَوْنَ كْوَنَكِ دَ يَوَ، يَنَ تَفِيَ چِكِنْ كَسُوَرْ كَنٜو “He stayed many days, going around the market of Kano.”
30.29 Lokacin dawowa ya yi, sai ya tara kaya ya koma gida. لٜوكَچِنْ دَوٜووَ يَ يِ، سَيْ يَ تَرَ كَيَ يَ كٜومَ گِدَ “When the time for returning came, he gathered goods and returned home.”
30.30 Tafiya ta kawo masa ilimi da arziki sosai. تَفِيَ تَ كَوٜو مَسَ عِلِمِ دَ اَرْزِكِ سٜوسَيْ “The journey brought him knowledge and much prosperity.”
Part C: Target Language Only
30.16 Wata rana, Audu ya yanke shawara ya tafi zuwa garin Kano. وَتَ رَنَ، اَوْدُ يَ يَنْكٜى شَوَرَ يَ تَفِ زُوَ گَرِنْ كَنٜو
30.17 Ya shirya kaya, ya gai da iyalinsa, sannan ya tashi. يَ شِرْيَ كَيَ، يَ گَيْ دَ اِيَلِنْسَ، سَنَّنْ يَ تَشِ
30.18 Da ya fara tafiya, rana tana haskakawa. دَ يَ فَرَ تَفِيَ، رَنَ تَنَ هَسْكَكَوَ
30.19 Ya bi hanya har ya isa wani ƙauye. يَ بِ هَنْيَ هَرْ يَ اِسَ وَنِ قَويٜى
30.20 A nan ya sami abinci, ya ci, ya sha ruwa. اَ نَنْ يَ سَمِ اَبِنْچِ، يَ چِ، يَ شَ رُوَ
30.21 Bayan hutu, ya ci gaba da tafiyarsa. بَيَنْ هُتُ، يَ چِ گَبَ دَ تَفِيَرْسَ
30.22 Dare ya yi, amma bai daina tafiya ba. دَرٜى يَ يِ، اَمَّ بَيْ دَيْنَ تَفِيَ بَ
30.23 Wata tauraro tana jagorantar da shi a hanya. وَتَ تَوْرَرٜو تَنَ جَگٜورَنْتَرْ دَ شِ اَ هَنْيَ
30.24 Da gari ya waye, sai ya ga ganuwar Kano. دَ گَرِ يَ وَيٜى، سَيْ يَ گَ گَنُوَرْ كَنٜو
30.25 Farin ciki ya cika shi domin tafiyarsa ta yi nasara. فَرِنْ چِكِ يَ چِكَ شِ دٜومِنْ تَفِيَرْسَ تَ يِ نَسَرَ
30.26 Ya shiga birni, ya tafi gidan abokinsa. يَ شِگَ بِرْنِ، يَ تَفِ گِدَنْ اَبٜوكِنْسَ
30.27 Abokinsa ya tarbe shi da murna sosai. اَبٜوكِنْسَ يَ تَرْبٜى شِ دَ مُرْنَ سٜوسَيْ
30.28 Ya zauna kwanaki da yawa, yana tafiya cikin kasuwar Kano. يَ زَوْنَ كْوَنَكِ دَ يَوَ، يَنَ تَفِيَ چِكِنْ كَسُوَرْ كَنٜو
30.29 Lokacin dawowa ya yi, sai ya tara kaya ya koma gida. لٜوكَچِنْ دَوٜووَ يَ يِ، سَيْ يَ تَرَ كَيَ يَ كٜومَ گِدَ
30.30 Tafiya ta kawo masa ilimi da arziki sosai. تَفِيَ تَ كَوٜو مَسَ عِلِمِ دَ اَرْزِكِ سٜوسَيْ
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This travel narrative demonstrates several important grammatical features beyond the basic use of “tafi.”
Serial Verb Constructions: Hausa frequently chains multiple verbs with the same subject and aspect marker, as in “ya shirya kaya, ya gai da iyalinsa, sannan ya tashi” (30.17). The completive marker “ya” is repeated with each verb, creating a sequence of completed actions.
Temporal Clauses: The construction “da...sai” (when...then) appears in 30.24: “Da gari ya waye, sai ya ga ganuwar Kano.” This is a common pattern for expressing sequential events.
Negative Continuative: Example 30.22 shows negation with the continuous aspect: “bai daina tafiya ba” (he did not stop traveling). Note the verbal noun “tafiya” after the verb “daina” (to stop).
Possessive Verbal Nouns: “Tafiyarsa” (his journey) in 30.21, 30.25, and 30.30 shows the verbal noun “tafiya” with the possessive suffix “-rsa” (his). The -r- is a linking consonant required before possessive suffixes when the noun ends in a vowel.
Motion Verb Variety: The narrative uses multiple motion verbs: “tafi” (go), “tashi” (depart/rise), “shiga” (enter), “koma” (return), “dawowa” (coming back). This vocabulary cluster enriches the travel theme.
Abstract Subject: In 30.30, the abstract noun “tafiya” (journey/travel) serves as subject: “Tafiya ta kawo masa ilimi” (The journey brought him knowledge). The feminine aspect marker “ta” agrees with the feminine noun “tafiya.”
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Key sounds in this lesson:
Vowels: Hausa has five vowel qualities (a, e, i, o, u), each with long and short variants. Long vowels have approximately double the duration. Vowel length is phonemic: “tafi” (go) vs. “tafii” (if it existed, would mean something different).
Tone: Hausa uses three tones: high (´), low (`), and falling (ˆ). In standard orthography, tones are not marked. “Tafi” has high-low tone pattern.
Special consonants: -
ɓ (Boko) / ب with dot below (Ajami): implosive b, produced with ingressive airstream -
ɗ (Boko) / ض (Ajami): implosive d -
ƙ (Boko) / ق (Ajami): ejective k, produced with glottalic airstream -
ts (Boko): ejective alveolar affricate -
ʼy (Boko): glottalized y
IPA for key vocabulary: -
tafi: /tàfí/ (low-high) -
tafiya: /tàfíjáː/ (low-high-high) -
kasuwa: /kàsúwáː/ -
gida: /ɡídàː/ -
zuwa: /zúwàː/
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The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006. This Hausa course follows the Interlinear Glossing Method, which accelerates comprehension by providing word-by-word translations that reveal the structure of the target language.
The dual-script presentation (Boko and Ajami) honors Hausa’s rich literary heritage. While Boko is the standard modern orthography used in education and government, Ajami remains culturally significant, particularly in Islamic scholarship, poetry, and traditional contexts. Learning both scripts provides access to the full range of Hausa written materials, from medieval manuscripts to contemporary newspapers.
The CSV-based vocabulary progression ensures systematic coverage of the most frequent and useful words in Hausa. Each lesson builds upon previous material while introducing new grammatical concepts and cultural contexts.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The autodidact methodology employed here allows self-directed learners to progress at their own pace. The interlinear format, combined with full sentences in context, grammatical explanations, and authentic literary citations, creates a comprehensive learning experience that approximates immersion study.
For speakers of English, Hausa presents interesting challenges: the tonal system, the aspect-based verb system (rather than tense-based), and the Subject-Aspect/Tense-Verb-Object word order. The rewards, however, are substantial: access to a major African language spoken by over 100 million people, a rich literary tradition spanning centuries, and a gateway to understanding the cultures of Nigeria, Niger, and the broader Sahel region.
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✓ Lesson 30 Hausa complete
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