Language/Hausa/Grammar/Definite-and-Indefinite-Articles
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Hausa, like many other languages, uses definite and indefinite articles to specify or identify nouns in a sentence. In this lesson, we will learn about definite and indefinite articles in Hausa, their usage, and examples.
Definite Articles
The definite article in Hausa is "na," which is equivalent to the English word "the." It is used to refer to a specific noun that has already been mentioned in the conversation or is well-known to the speaker and listener. For example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
aljanna | al-ja-nna | the garden/heaven |
In the example above, "na" is not used because the speaker assumes that both the speaker and listener know which garden or heaven is being referred to. However, if the sentence is presenting a new piece of information, the definite article must be used. For example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
na aljanna | na al-ja-nna | the garden/heaven |
In the example above, "na" is used to specify which garden or heaven is being referred to.
Indefinite Articles
The indefinite article in Hausa is "wani," which is equivalent to the English word "a" or "an." It is used to refer to a singular noun that is not specific or well-known. For example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
wani daki | wa-ni da-ki | a house |
In the example above, "wani" is used to refer to any house, not a specific one. In Hausa, the word "wata" is used instead of "wani" for feminine nouns. For example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
wata mata | wa-ta ma-ta | a woman |
In the example above, "wata" is used instead of "wani" because "mata" (woman) is a feminine noun.
Usage of Definite and Indefinite Articles
1. Specific or Known Nouns - Use the definite article "na". Example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
na daki | na da-ki | the house |
2. Singular but Not Specific Nouns - Use the indefinite article "wani." Example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
wani daki | wa-ni da-ki | a house |
3. Plural Nouns - Use the particle "su" or "masu." Example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
su dakuna | su da-ku-na | the houses |
In case of a feminine plural noun, the particle "suna" or "masu" can be used. For example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
suna mata | su-na ma-ta | the women |
4. Compound Nouns - Use the definite article "na" before the last word in the compound noun. Example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
na shekaru | na she-ka-ru | the years |
In the example above, "shekaru" (years) is a compound noun. The article "na" is used before the last word "ru."
5. Occupations - Use the particle "ne" after a person's occupation. Example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
dokar ne | do-kar ne | the doctor |
In the example above, "dokar" (doctor) is the occupation, and "ne" is used to indicate that it is a person.
6. Body Parts - Use the particle "ce" after a body part. Example:
Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
hannu ce | han-nu ce | the hand |
In the example above, "hannu" (hand) is the body part, and "ce" is used to indicate that it is a body part.
Practice
Now that you have learned about definite and indefinite articles in Hausa, it's time to practice using them in sentences. Try to form sentences using the examples above or with your own nouns. Remember to use "na" for specific or known nouns, "wani" or "wata" for singular but not specific nouns, "su" or "masu" for plural nouns, "ne" for occupations, and "ce" for body parts.
- na kudi || na ku-di || the money
- wani gida || wa-ni gi-da || a house
- masu kuntu || ma-su kun-tu || the books
- na iyayenmu || na i-ya-ye-nmu || my parents
- wata mata || wa-ta ma-ta || a woman
- na gaba || na ga-ba || the time
Other Lessons
- Present Tense
- 0 to A1 Course
- Adjectives
- Definite Articles in Hausa
- Plurals
- Questions
- Future Tense
- Past Tense
- Negation
- Gender
Sources
◀️ Introducing Yourself — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Pronouns ▶️ |