Language/Hausa/Vocabulary/Education
Hi Hausa learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be focusing on Hausa vocabulary related to education. Education is very important, and it is crucial to have a good grasp of the related vocabulary to be able to have meaningful conversations in Hausa-speaking communities.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Numbers & Clothes.
School System[edit | edit source]
In Nigeria, which is where Hausa is predominantly spoken, education is divided into primary (Allo) and secondary (wasu fita) schools. Primary school is usually six years long, while secondary school is six years long as well - divided into three years of Junior Secondary School (JSS) and three years of Senior Secondary School (SSS).
Here are some key Hausa vocabulary around education in Nigeria's schooling system:
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Allo | /al-loh/ | Primary School |
| wasu fita | /wah-soo fee-tah/ | Secondary School |
| makarantar allo | /mah-kah-rahn-tahr al-loh/ | Primary School |
| makarantar wasu fita | /mah-kah-rahn-tahr wah-soo fee-tah/ | Secondary School |
Example Dialogue:
- Person 1: Ka san allo ne? (Do you know Allo?)
- Person 2: Ban san ye. Yanzu na tashi makarantar wahalar mai girma. (I don't know. I'm currently attending a vocational school.)
Classes and Subjects[edit | edit source]
Hausa vocabulary around classes and subjects in Nigeria's schooling system is varied and includes words that are familiar to English speakers, as well as words that are unique to Hausa culture. Here are some key words:
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| hisbah | /heez-bah/ | Ethics |
| kimiyya | /kee-mee-ya/ | Chemistry |
| harshe | /hahr-sheh/ | Agriculture |
| tarbiyya | /tahr-bee-ya/ | Education |
| ilimi | /ee-lee-mee/ | Knowledge |
Example Dialogue:
- Person 1: Mu karanta hisbah ne a makarantar? (Do we learn ethics in school?)
- Person 2: Na san yanzu ana karanta su wannan dandali. (I know, but we're not studying that this year.)
Admissions[edit | edit source]
Admissions into schools in Nigeria follow certain procedures, and having Hausa vocabulary to navigate this process is important. Here are some key terms:
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| shaida | /shy-dah/ | Certificate |
| bayani | /bah-ya-nee/ | Admission Form |
| nasaarar farko | /nah-sar-rah-fahr-koh/ | First list (of selected candidates) |
| sanar da'ira | /sah-nahr dah-ee-rah/ | Registration number |
Example Dialogue:
- Person 1: Mu je makarantar? (Are we going to school?)
- Person 2: Eh, na je makarantar. Ya tura mana bayani. (Yes, we're going to school. He gave me an admission form.)
Graduation[edit | edit source]
Graduation is a big deal in Nigeria, and having the right vocabulary to express congratulations and good wishes is very important. Here are some key words:
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| haske | /hah-skeh/ | Congratulations |
| girma | /gee-rah-mah/ | Certificate |
| haske da girma | /hah-skeh dah gee-rah-mah/ | Congratulations on your graduation |
| lafiya | /lah-fee-yah/ | Good health |
Example Dialogue:
- Person 1: Ya tashi wasu fita da duka? (Did he finish secondary school?)
- Person 2: Eh, ya tashi su cikin makarantar duka da guda daya. Anan ya fito da girma. (Yes, he finished all of his schooling. And he even got his certificate.)
Study Tips[edit | edit source]
Studying can be difficult, but having the right mindset and techniques can make all the difference. Here are some study-related words in Hausa:
| Hausa | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| burtani | /boo-tahr-nee/ | Revision |
| harkoki | /hahr-koh-kee/ | Focus |
| yin raba | /yeen-rah-bah/ | Practice |
| fili | /fee-lee/ | Effort |
| damar gane | /dah-mahr gah-neh/ | Pay attention |
Example Dialogue:
- Person 1: Ana so mu kammala nasaarar farko. Me kake damar gane? (We want to come out on top of the first list. What do we need to do?)
- Person 2: Damar gane, yin raba, da fili su cigaba da zai kama mana. (We need to pay attention, practice, and put effort in.)
Remember, to improve your Hausa vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Hausa - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
- A Hausa-English Dictionary and English-Hausa Vocabulary ...