Hausa
Hausa Greetings
Greetings are very important and consist of more than just simple hellos. Below is a list of phrases that would commonly be used in a conversational greeting.
Note that there are different ways to greet people to show respect. These greetings are not shown below.
ENGLISH HAUSA NOTES
Good morning Ina kuana Literally “how did you sleep?”
Good afternoon Ina Ooni
Good evening Ina hini
Hello Sannu
How are you? Ki na lahia If speaking to a woman
How are you? Ka na lahia If speaking to a man
Generally asked in the morning
Are you well awake? Kin tashi lahia? If speaking to a woman
Are you well awake? Ka tashi lahia? If speaking to a man
How is your tiredness? Ina gajiya?
I have no tiredness Ba/Babu gajiya
Asking about family
How is your family? Ina iyali?
How is your wife? Ina mata?
How is your husband? Ina miji?
How are your children? Ina yara?
Other questions
How is work? Ina aike?
How is your home? Ina guida?
How is school? Ina makaranta?
Responses – unless a response is provided above, these responses work for every question
(noun) thank God for it (noun) de godiya
Very fine Lafiya lau
Fine Lafiya
Ending the conversation
See you later Sai an jima
See you tomorrow Sa gobe
Ok Yauwa
**Note that “ina” can also be switched with “yaya” and keep the same meaning in each of the questions above.
Sample conversational greeting:
A: Ina kwana
B: Lafiya lau
A: Ki na lafiya?
B: Lafiya
A: Ina gajiya?
B: Ba gajiya
A: Yaya iyali?
B: Iyali de godiya
A: Ina aike?
B: Lafiya lau
A: Sai an jima
B: Yauwa. Se an jima
Try it yourself!
Fill in the below conversation taking place in the afternoon with the appropriate words.
Test your knowledge on key vocabulary associated with greetings!
