Hausa
Market Interactions
Markets are important, social places and interactions with vendors are a regular occurrence. Knowing how to navigate these situations is therefore very helpful! Below you will find some useful vocabulary as well as sample conversations.
Useful vocabulary:
| Mallam/Mallama | term of respect (M/F) |
| Alhaji/Hajiya | term of respect (M/F) |
| nawa? | how much? |
| siya | to buy |
| gaskiya | truth* |
| suna | name** |
| ya yi tsada | that is expensive |
| wane/wace | which (M/F) |
| ragi | reduction/discount |
| naira | currency in Nigeria |
| kala | color |
| dubu | thousand |
| dari | hundred |
| daya | one |
| takwas | eight |
*gaskiya literally means truth, but in market settings would refer to the “true” price.
**suna literally means name, but in market settings would refer to “naming” the price.
Simple interaction with translation:
| Vendor: Sannu. Me ki ke so | Hi. What would you like (to buy)? |
| Halima: Waya na ke so. Nawa ce? | I want a cell phone. How much are they? |
| Vendor: Naira dubu daya | 1,000 naira |
| Halima: Na siya. Na gode. | I will buy it. Thank you. |
| Vendor: Sai an jima | See you later |
| Halima: Sai an jima | See you later |
More complex conversation:
Vendor: Hajiya Halima.
Halima: Sannu Malam. Ina kwana?
Vendor: Lafiya. Me ki ke so?
Halima: Waya na ke so.
Vendor: Wace kala?
Halima: Ja. Nawa ce?
Vendor: Naira dubu daya.
Halima: Ragi fa?
Vendor: Shi ne gaskiya.
Halima: Ya yi tsada.
Vendor: Ok ok. Naira dari takwas.
Halima: Na siya. Na gode. Sai an jima.
Vendor: Sai an jima.
Using the vocabulary box at the top and the first interaction, can you understand the conversation between Halima and the vendor? Test your knowledge by answering the questions below.
