kurwa

kùrwā (canonical feminine)
kùrwar̃ (possessed-form)


mama

mā̀ma (canonical feminine)
mā̀mar̃ (possessed-form)


halal

(Islam) any halal act; any act permissible in Islam


po

pô (canonical masculine)
pôn (possessed-form)


idi

īdī̀ (canonical masculine)
īdìn (possessed-form)


sata

ha-noun

sātā̀ f (plural sā̀ce-sā̀ce, possessed form sātàr̃)

sātā̀ (canonical feminine)
sā̀ce-sā̀ce (plural)
sātàr̃ (possessed-form)


matala

màtàlâ (canonical feminine)
màtàlân (possessed-form)


hajji

hajjì (canonical masculine)
hajjìn (possessed-form)

[ʔàl.há.d͡ʒɪ́]


gula

gulā̀ f (plural gulōlī, possessed form gulàr̃)

gulā̀ (canonical feminine)
gulōlī (plural)
gulàr̃ (possessed-form)

a kind of drumstick with a large head (for beating drums)


bori

bṑrī (canonical masculine)
bṑrin (possessed-form)


Sha'aban

[ʃə̀.ʔà.bâŋ]

bor

Arabic شَعْبَان (šaʕbān)


Muharram

Borrowed from Arabic مُحَرَّم (muḥarram).


Ibrahim

[ʔɪ̀b.ráː.hɪ̀ŋ]

Borrowed from Arabic إِبْرَاهِيم (ʔibrāhīm).

Arabic إِبْرَاهِيم (ʔibrāhīm)


shari'a

ha-noun

shàr̆i'ā̀ f (plural shar̃i'ō'ī, possessed form shàr̆i'àr̃)

shàr̆i'ā̀ (canonical feminine)
shar̃i'ō'ī (plural)
shàr̆i'àr̃ (possessed-form)

[ʃə̀.rɪ́.ʔàː]

bor

Arabic شَرِيعَة (šarīʕa)

law, justice
(in particular) shari'a (Islamic law)


shahada

ha-noun

shàhādā̀ f (plural shahādōdī, possessed form shàhādàr̃)

shàhādā̀ (canonical feminine)
shahādōdī (plural)
shàhādàr̃ (possessed-form)

/ʃà.háː.dàː/

[ʃə̀.háː.dàː]

Borrowed from Arabic شَهَادَة (šahāda, “witnessing”).


sura

sūr̃ā̀ f (plural sūr̃ōr̃ī, possessed form sūr̃àr̃)

sūr̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
sūr̃ōr̃ī (plural)
sūr̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

From Arabic سُورَة (sūra, “chapter of the Qur'an”).


taska

ha-noun

taskā̀ f (plural taskōkī, possessed form taskàr̃)

taskā̀ (canonical feminine)
taskōkī (plural)
taskàr̃ (possessed-form)

From a Berber language; compare Northern Saharan Berber tazeqqa. A Tuareg origin is geographically more plausible, but no phonologically matching term is attested, and it would be unusual for a settled people to borrow a term related to settled life from nomads.


kolo

kōlō (canonical masculine)
kōlon (possessed-form)

(derogatory) dog (abusive way to refer to a person)


halwa

halwā̀ (canonical feminine)
halwàr̃ (possessed-form)

(Islam) khalwa, a religious retreat in Sufism


naira

nair̃ā̀ f (plural nair̃ōr̃ī, possessed form nair̃àr̃)

nair̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
nair̃ōr̃ī (plural)
nair̃àr̃ (possessed-form)


Musa

a male given name, Musa, from Arabic, equivalent to English Moses


tandu

tandū m (plural tandā̀yē, possessed form tandun)

tandū (canonical masculine)
tandā̀yē (plural)
tandun (possessed-form)


taga

tāgā̀ f (plural tāgōgī, possessed form tāgàr̃)

tāgā̀ (canonical feminine)
tāgōgī (plural)
tāgàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Kanuri tágà, from Arabic طَاقَة (ṭāqa).


sito

sìtô m (plural sìtô-sìtô, possessed form sìtôn)

sìtô (canonical masculine)
sìtô-sìtô (plural)
sìtôn (possessed-form)


saja

sājā̀ (canonical masculine)
sājàn (possessed-form)


sista

sistā̀ f (plural sistōcī, possessed form sistàr̃)

sistā̀ (canonical feminine)
sistōcī (plural)
sistàr̃ (possessed-form)

From English sister; compare Nigerian Pidgin sista.


sunna

sunnā̀ f (plural sunnōnī, possessed form sunnàr̃)

sunnā̀ (canonical feminine)
sunnōnī (plural)
sunnàr̃ (possessed-form)


molo

mōlō m (plural mōlā̀yē, possessed form mōlon)

mōlō (canonical masculine)
mōlā̀yē (plural)
mōlon (possessed-form)


dina

dinā̀ (canonical feminine)
dinàr̃ (possessed-form)


liman

lī̀mân m (plural lī̀mā̀mai, possessed form lī̀māmìn)

lī̀mân (canonical masculine)
lī̀mā̀mai (plural)
lī̀māmìn (possessed-form)


talle

tallē m (plural tallā̀yē, possessed form tallen)

tallē (canonical masculine)
tallā̀yē (plural)
tallen (possessed-form)

A small gourd drum typically played by children during Ramadan.


cibi

cībī̀ (canonical masculine)
cībìn (possessed-form)

(pathology) swollen protruding navel; umbilical hernia


haram

hàr̃âm (canonical masculine)
hàr̃āmùn (possessed-form)

(Islam) any haram act; a sin or forbidden deed in Islam


fam

fâm (canonical masculine)
fàmā̀fàmai (plural)
fàmfàmai (plural)

pound (currency used in the UK, obsolete in Nigeria)


banga

bàngā f (plural bangunā̀, possessed form bàngar̃)

bàngā (canonical feminine)
bangunā̀ (plural)
bàngar̃ (possessed-form)

A small, bowl-shaped drum, played with fingers.


salati

sàlātī̀ (canonical masculine)
sàlātìn (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic صَلَاة (ṣalāh) or a related form.

(Islam) an invocation to God, like the shahada


maina

mainà (canonical masculine)
mainàn (possessed-form)


jihadi

jìhādī̀ (canonical masculine)
jìhādìn (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒɪ̀.háː.dìː]


sanata

sanatā̀ m (plural sanatōcī, possessed form sanatàn)

sanatā̀ (canonical masculine)
sanatōcī (plural)
sanatàn (possessed-form)


tilo

tī̀lō (canonical masculine)
tī̀lon (possessed-form)


komo

kōmō (canonical masculine)
kōmon (possessed-form)

A large lute, generally played for hunters.


jaka

jàkā f (plural jakunkunā̀, possessed form jàkar̃)

jàkā (canonical feminine)
jakunkunā̀ (plural)
jàkar̃ (possessed-form)

(obsolete in Nigeria) 100 pounds (in the old currency).


tuntu

tuntū m (plural tuntā̀yē, possessed form tuntun)

tuntū (canonical masculine)
tuntā̀yē (plural)
tuntun (possessed-form)

A tassel or knob on top of a cap or gown.


iblis

ìblîs (canonical masculine)
ìblīshìn (possessed-form)


annabi

ànnabī̀ m (plural annabāwā, possessed form ànnabìn)

ànnabī̀ (canonical masculine)
annabāwā (plural)
ànnabìn (possessed-form)


ladan

lā̀dân (canonical masculine)
lā̀dā̀nai (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic أَذَان (ʔaḏān, “call to prayer”).


sarki

sarkī m (feminine saraunìyā, plural sarākunā̀ or sàràkai, possessed form sarkin)

sarkī (canonical masculine)
saraunìyā (feminine)
sarākunā̀ (plural)
sàràkai (plural)
sarkin (possessed-form)


dinari

dīnār̃ī̀ m (plural dī̀nā̀r̃ai, possessed form dīnār̃ìn)

dīnār̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
dī̀nā̀r̃ai (plural)
dīnār̃ìn (possessed-form)

From Arabic دِينَار (dīnār). Doublet of zinari.


addini

àddīnī̀ m (plural àddī̀nai, possessed form àddīnìn)

àddīnī̀ (canonical masculine)
àddī̀nai (plural)
àddīnìn (possessed-form)

From Arabic اَلْدِين (al-dīn, “the religion”).


dala

ha-noun

dalā̀ f (plural dalōlī, possessed form dalàr̃)

dalā̀ (canonical feminine)
dalōlī (plural)
dalàr̃ (possessed-form)

Any of various currencies known as dollars or thalers.


zina

zìnā f (plural zìnā̀ce-zìnā̀ce, possessed form zìnar̃)

zìnā (canonical feminine)
zìnā̀ce-zìnā̀ce (plural)
zìnar̃ (possessed-form)


kanar

kanàr̃ (canonical masculine)
kanàr̃-kanàr̃ (plural)


mishi

mishī (canonical masculine)
mishin (possessed-form)


ridda

r̃iddā (canonical feminine)
r̃iddar̃ (possessed-form)


inna

innà (canonical feminine)
innàr̃ (possessed-form)

(Hausa animistic religion) royal priestess


idda

iddā̀ (canonical feminine)
iddàr̃ (possessed-form)

(Islam) iddah (waiting period until a woman can remarry)


alhaji

àlhajī m (feminine hajìyā, plural àlhàzai, possessed form àlhajin)

àlhajī (canonical masculine)
hajìyā (feminine)
àlhàzai (plural)
àlhajin (possessed-form)

→ Yoruba: alájì

→ Nupe: alahájì

→ English: alhaji

[ʔàl.há.d͡ʒíː]

From Arabic حَجِّي (ḥajjī) (with the definite article).

(Islam) hajji (one who has been a pilgrim to Mecca, usually used as a title)


jinsi

jinsī̀ (canonical masculine)
jinsìn (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒɪ́n.sìː]


waziri

wàzīr̃ì, wàzīr̃ī̀

wàzīr̃ì (canonical)
wàzīr̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
wàzī̀r̃ai (plural)


diwani

dīwānī̀ m (plural dī̀wā̀nai, possessed form dīwānìn)

dīwānī̀ (canonical masculine)
dī̀wā̀nai (plural)
dīwānìn (possessed-form)


jini

jinī (canonical masculine)
jinin (possessed-form)


imani

īmānī̀ (canonical masculine)
īmānìn (possessed-form)

/ʔíː.máː.nìː/

[ʔíː.máː.nìː]

bor

Arabic إِيمَان (ʔīmān)


coci

ha-noun

cōcì m (plural cōcì-cōcì, possessed form cōcìn)

cōcì (canonical masculine)
cōcì-cōcì (plural)
cōcìn (possessed-form)

→ Yoruba: ṣọọṣi

/t͡ʃóː.t͡ʃì/

[t͡ʃóː.t͡ʃɪ̀]


mowa

mōwā̀ (canonical feminine)
mōwàr̃ (possessed-form)


bukka

bukkā̀ f (plural bukkōkī, possessed form bukkàr̃)

bukkā̀ (canonical feminine)
bukkōkī (plural)
bukkàr̃ (possessed-form)

→ Zarma: búkkà

→ Yoruba: búkà

→ English: buka

From a Songhay language (e.g. Dendi bùgù), from Mandingo bùgú.


kotu

kōtù m (plural kōtunā̀, possessed form kōtùn)

kōtù (canonical masculine)
kōtunā̀ (plural)
kōtùn (possessed-form)


aljan

àljan m (feminine àljanā, plural àljanū)

àljan (canonical masculine)
àljanā (feminine)
àljanū (plural)

→ Yoruba: alujọnnu


haila

hailā̀ (canonical feminine)
hailàr̃ (possessed-form)


ƙamus

ƙāmùs m (plural ƙāmusōshī, possessed form ƙāmùsun)

ƙāmùs (canonical masculine)
ƙāmusōshī (plural)
ƙāmùsun (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic قَامُوس (qāmūs), from Ancient Greek ὠκεανός (ōkeanós).


haddi

haddī̀ m (plural haddōdī, possessed form haddìn)

haddī̀ (canonical masculine)
haddōdī (plural)
haddìn (possessed-form)

(Islam) A fixed punishment for violating Islamic law.


manjo

manjò m (plural manjōjī, possessed form manjòn)

manjò (canonical masculine)
manjōjī (plural)
manjòn (possessed-form)


hadisi

hàdīsī̀ m (plural hàdī̀sai, possessed form hàdīsìn)

hàdīsī̀ (canonical masculine)
hàdī̀sai (plural)
hàdīsìn (possessed-form)

(Islam) hadith (saying of the prophet Muhammad)


kuge

kùgē (canonical masculine)
kùgen (possessed-form)

A pair of metal bells joined together and beaten with a small horn.


Adamu

[ʔàː.də̀.mʊ́]


gimbiya

gimbìyā f (plural gimbiyōyī, possessed form gimbìyar̃)

gimbìyā (canonical feminine)
gimbiyōyī (plural)
gimbìyar̃ (possessed-form)

[ɟɪ́m.bɪ̀.jáː]


mujalla

mùjallā̀ f (plural mujallōlī, possessed form mùjallàr̃)

mùjallā̀ (canonical feminine)
mujallōlī (plural)
mùjallàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic مَجَلَّة (majalla).


nafila

nāfilā̀ f (plural nāfilōlī or nāfìlfilī, possessed form nāfilàr̃)

nāfilā̀ (canonical feminine)
nāfilōlī (plural)
nāfìlfilī (plural)
nāfilàr̃ (possessed-form)

[náː.ɸɪ́.làː]

(Islam) nafl prayer (extra, non-compulsory prayer)


nahawu

nahawū̀ (canonical masculine)
nahawùn (possessed-form)


warƙa

war̃ƙā̀ f (plural war̃ƙōƙī, possessed form war̃ƙàr̃)

war̃ƙā̀ (canonical feminine)
war̃ƙōƙī (plural)
war̃ƙàr̃ (possessed-form)


nasara

nasār̃ā̀ (canonical plural)
nasār̃àn (possessed-form)

bor

Arabic نَصَارَى (naṣārā)


hamayya

hàmayyā̀ (canonical feminine)
hàmayyàr̃ (possessed-form)


zunubi

ha-noun

zùnubī̀ m (plural zùnùbai, possessed form zùnubìn)

zùnubī̀ (canonical masculine)
zùnùbai (plural)
zùnubìn (possessed-form)

From Arabic ذَنْب (ḏanb) or a related form; compare zàmba.


umra

umr̃ā (canonical feminine)
umr̃ar̃ (possessed-form)


kufai

kufai m (plural kufaifai, possessed form kufan)

kufaifai (plural)
kufan (possessed-form)


hijabi

hìjābī̀ (canonical masculine)
hìjābìn (possessed-form)

[hɪ̀.d͡ʒáː.bìː]


baiti

baitī̀ m (plural baitōcī, possessed form baitìn)

baitī̀ (canonical masculine)
baitōcī (plural)
baitìn (possessed-form)


mashi

māshī̀ m (plural māsū, possessed form māshìn)

māshī̀ (canonical masculine)
māsū (plural)
māshìn (possessed-form)


asham

From Kanuri ashâm (“fasting during Ramadan”), from Arabic صَوْم (ṣawm).

(Islam) tarawih (extra prayers at night during Ramadan)


salla

sallā̀ (canonical feminine)
sallàr̃ (possessed-form)


ajuza

àjūzā̀ f (plural àjū̀zai, possessed form àjūzàr̃)

àjūzā̀ (canonical feminine)
àjū̀zai (plural)
àjūzàr̃ (possessed-form)

[ʔà.d͡ʒúː.zàː]

(derogatory) a shameless woman, a (female) liar


Yusufu

[júː.sɪ́.ɸʊ̀]

From Arabic يُوسُف (yūsuf), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹסֵף (yôsēp̄).


mamaye

mā̀màyē (canonical masculine)
mā̀màyen (possessed-form)


anini

ànīnī m (plural ànī̀nai, possessed form ànīnin)

ànīnī (canonical masculine)
ànī̀nai (plural)
ànīnin (possessed-form)

/ʔà.níː.níː/

[ʔà.níː.níː]

Borrowed from Yoruba ọnini (“tenth of a penny”).

stars or ribbons worn by a military officer


ibada

ìbādā̀ (canonical feminine)
ìbādàr̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔì.báː.dàː/

[ʔɪ̀.báː.dàː]


goge

gṑgē (canonical masculine)
gṑgen (possessed-form)


mandiri

màndīr̃ī̀ m (plural màndī̀r̃ai, possessed form màndīr̃ìn)

màndīr̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
màndī̀r̃ai (plural)
màndīr̃ìn (possessed-form)

a type of tambourine played by the Qadiriyya sect of Sufis


iska

iskā̀ m or f (plural iskōkī, possessed form iskàn)

iskā̀ (canonical feminine masculine)
iskōkī (plural)
iskàn (possessed-form)

spirit (especially in the context of Hausa animism)


Haruna

From Arabic هَارُون (hārūn), from Biblical Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾahărôn).


daftari

daftar̃ī m (plural dàftàr̃ai, possessed form daftar̃in)

daftar̃ī (canonical masculine)
dàftàr̃ai (plural)
daftar̃in (possessed-form)


safara

safar̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
safar̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

[sə́.ɸə́.ràː]


sahur

(Islam) suhur (pre-dawn meal during Ramadan)


lisha

lī̀shā (canonical feminine)
lī̀shar̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic اَلْعِشَاء (al-ʕišāʔ).

bor

Arabic اَلْعِشَاء (al-ʕišāʔ)


salamu alaikum

Borrowed from Arabic السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ (as-salāmu ʕalaykum, “peace be upon you”).

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ

(Islam) salaam alaikum (Muslim greeting)


kwabo

ha-noun

kwabṑ m (plural kwàbbai or kwabbunā̀, possessed form kwabòn)

kwabṑ (canonical masculine)
kwàbbai (plural)
kwabbunā̀ (plural)
kwabòn (possessed-form)


Alƙur'ani

head

Àlƙùr̃'ānī̀ m

ha-proper noun

Àlƙùr̃'ānī̀ m

/ʔàl.kʼùr.ʔáː.nìː/

[ʔàl.kʷʼʊ̀r.ʔáː.nìː]

Borrowed from Arabic الْقُرْآن (al-qurʔān).


Ramalan

[ɽə̀.mə̀.lâŋ]

Borrowed from Arabic رَمَضَان (ramaḍān).


Rabi'u Lahir

head

Ràbī'ù Lāhìr̃

ha-proper noun

Ràbī'ù Lāhìr̃

/ɽà.bíː.ʔù láː.hìr/

[ɽə̀.bíː.ʔʊ̀ láː.hɪ̀r]

Borrowed from Arabic رَبِيع الْآخِر (rabīʕ al-ʔāḵir).

bor

رَبِيع الْآخِر

Arabic رَبِيع الْآخِر (rabīʕ al-ʔāḵir)


Zulhajji

Borrowed from Arabic ذُو الْحِجَّة (ḏū l-ḥijja).

ذُو الْحِجَّة

Arabic ذُو الْحِجَّة (ḏū l-ḥijja)


Jimada Lahir

head

Jìmādā Lāhìr̃

ha-proper noun

Jìmādā Lāhìr̃

[d͡ʒɪ̀.máː.dáː láː.hɪ̀r]

Borrowed from Arabic جُمَادَى الْآخِرَة (jumādā l-ʔāḵira).

bor

جُمَادَى الْآخِرَة


Zulƙida

Borrowed from Arabic ذُو الْقَعْدَة (ḏū l-qaʕda).

ذُو الْقَعْدَة

Arabic ذُو الْقَعْدَة (ḏū l-qaʕda)


gwamnati

ha-noun

gwamnatì f (plural gwamnatōcī, possessed form gwamnatìn)

gwamnatì (canonical feminine)
gwamnatōcī (plural)
gwamnatìn (possessed-form)

[ɡʷám.nə́.tɪ̀]

Borrowed from English government and Koyraboro Senni gomnanti.


Jimada Lawwal

Borrowed from Arabic جُمَادَى الْأُولَى (jumādā l-ʔūlā).

bor

جُمَادَى الْأُولَى


raka'a

ha-noun

r̃aka'ā̀ f (plural r̃aka'ō'ī, possessed form r̃aka'àr̃)

r̃aka'ā̀ (canonical feminine)
r̃aka'ō'ī (plural)
r̃aka'àr̃ (possessed-form)

[rə́.kə́.ʔàː]

(Islam) A unit of Muslim prayer involving prostration.


Rabi'u Lawwal

[ɽə̀.bíː.ʔʊ̀ láw.wàl]

Borrowed from Arabic رَبِيع الْأَوَّل (rabīʕ al-ʔawwal).

bor

رَبِيع الْأَوَّل


alƙali

ha-noun

àlƙālī m (plural àlƙā̀lai, possessed form àlƙālin)

àlƙālī (canonical masculine)
àlƙā̀lai (plural)
àlƙālin (possessed-form)

→ Portuguese: alicali

/ʔàl.kʼáː.líː/

[ʔàl.kʼáː.líː]

bor

Arabic قَاضِي (qāḍī)


fiƙihu

fiƙihù (canonical masculine)
fiƙihùn (possessed-form)

[ɸɪ́.cʼɪ́.hʊ̀]


bindiga

ha-noun

bindigā̀ f (plural bindigōgī, possessed form bindigàr̃)

bindigā̀ (canonical feminine)
bindigōgī (plural)
bindigàr̃ (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: bin̄diga

[bɪ́n.dɪ́.ɡàː]

Borrowed from Arabic بُنْدُقِيَّة (bunduqiyya), perhaps via Kanuri bəndəgə.

bor

بُنْدُقِيَّة


girka

girkā (canonical feminine)
girkar̃ (possessed-form)

initiation of a new practitioner into Hausa animistic religion


Linjila

[lɪ̀n.d͡ʒíː.láː]


algaita

ha-noun

àlgaitā̀ f (plural àlgàitū, possessed form àlgaitàr̃)

àlgaitā̀ (canonical feminine)
àlgàitū (plural)
àlgaitàr̃ (possessed-form)

a double reed wind instrument, the algaita


kakaki

kā̀kā̀kī (canonical masculine)
kā̀kā̀kin (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: kàkàki

→ Yoruba: kàkàkí

→ Baatonum: kãakãagi


kukuma

kūkūmā̀ (canonical feminine)
kūkūmàr̃ (possessed-form)

[kʷúː.kʷúː.màː]


jamhuriya

jàmhūr̃iyā̀ f (possessed form jàmhūr̃iyàr̃)

jàmhūr̃iyā̀ (canonical feminine)
jàmhūr̃iyàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic جُمْهُورِيَّة (jumhūriyya).

bor

جُمْهُورِيَّة


dimokuraɗiyya

ha-noun

dìmòkùràɗiyyā̀

dìmòkùràɗiyyā̀ f (possessed form dìmòkùràɗiyyàr̃)

dìmòkùràɗiyyā̀ (canonical feminine)
dìmòkùràɗiyyàr̃ (possessed-form)

[dɪ̀.mò.kʷʊ̀.ɽə̀.ɗɪ́j.jàː]

Borrowed from Arabic دِيمُقْرَاطِيَّة (dīmuqrāṭiyya).

bor

دِيمُقْرَاطِيَّة

Arabic دِيمُقْرَاطِيَّة (dīmuqrāṭiyya)


sarauniya

ha-noun

saraunìyā f (possessed form saraunìyar̃)

saraunìyā (canonical feminine)
saraunìyar̃ (possessed-form)


makaɗi

makàɗī (canonical masculine)
makàɗin (possessed-form)

[mə́.kə̀.ɗíː]


makaɗi

makaɗī (canonical masculine)
makaɗin (possessed-form)

[mə́.kə́.ɗíː]


ganye

ganyē m (plural ganyā̀yē, possessed form ganyen)

ganyē (canonical masculine)
ganyā̀yē (plural)
ganyen (possessed-form)


wasali

wasàlī m (plural wasulā̀, possessed form wasàlin)

wasàlī (canonical masculine)
wasulā̀ (plural)
wasàlin (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: wósànli


ɗari

ɗārī (canonical masculine)
ɗārin (possessed-form)


kibiya

kibiyā̀ f (plural kibiyōyī or kìbau, possessed form kibiyàr̃)

kibiyā̀ (canonical feminine)
kibiyōyī (plural)
kìbau (plural)
kibiyàr̃ (possessed-form)

Probably borrowed from a Saharan language. Cognate with Mangas kip.


asubahi

àsùbāhì (canonical feminine)
àsùbāhìn (possessed-form)

[ʔà.sɪ̀.báː.hɪ̀]

Borrowed from Arabic الصُبْح (aṣ-ṣubḥ, “the morning”).


la'asar

Borrowed from Arabic اَلْعَصْر (al-ʕaṣr).


magariba

màgàr̃ibā̀ f (possessed form màgàr̃ibàr̃)

màgàr̃ibā̀ (canonical feminine)
màgàr̃ibàr̃ (possessed-form)

[mə̀.ɡə̀.rɪ́.bàː]


Isiyaku

[ʔɪ́.sɪ́.jáː.kʷʊ̀]

bor

Arabic إِسْحَاق (ʔisḥāq)


Jibirilu

[d͡ʒɪ̀.bɪ̀.ríː.lɪ̀]


Sulemanu

Borrowed from Arabic سُلَيْمَان (sulaymān).


Isma'ilu

/ʔìs.máː.ʔíː.lù/

[ʔɪ̀s.máː.ʔíː.lɪ̀]

Borrowed from Arabic إِسْمَاعِيل (ʔismāʕīl).

Arabic إِسْمَاعِيل (ʔismāʕīl)


Yaƙubu

[jàː.kʷʼʊ́.bʊ̀]


Rahila

/ɽà.híː.láː/

[ɽə̀.híː.láː]

Arabic رَاحِيل (rāḥīl)


firamare

ha-noun

fir̃āmàr̃ḕ f (possessed form fir̃āmàr̃èn)

fir̃āmàr̃ḕ (canonical feminine)
fir̃āmàr̃èn (possessed-form)

[ɸɪ́.ráː.mə̀.rèː]


jam'iyya

jàm'iyyā̀ f (plural jam'iyyōyī, possessed form jàm'iyyàr̃)

jàm'iyyā̀ (canonical feminine)
jam'iyyōyī (plural)
jàm'iyyàr̃ (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒàm.ʔɪ́j.jàː]

Borrowed from Arabic جَمْعِيَّة (jamʕiyya).


jami'a

jāmi'ā̀ f (plural jāmi'ō'ī, possessed form jāmi'àr̃)

jāmi'ā̀ (canonical feminine)
jāmi'ō'ī (plural)
jāmi'àr̃ (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒáː.mɪ́.ʔàː]


cokali

cōkàlī m (plural cōkulā̀, possessed form cōkàlin)

cōkàlī (canonical masculine)
cōkulā̀ (plural)
cōkàlin (possessed-form)

/t͡ʃóː.kà.líː/

[t͡ʃóː.kə̀.líː]

Attested throughout the Sahel, but the ultimate origin is unclear. Kossmann suggests that a borrowing from Berber is plausible (e.g. Tawellemmet tăšokalt), and rejects the proposed European origin.


addu'a

àddu'ā̀ f (plural addu'ō'ī, possessed form àddu'àr̃)

àddu'ā̀ (canonical feminine)
addu'ō'ī (plural)
àddu'àr̃ (possessed-form)

→ Yoruba: àdúrà

/ʔàd.dú.ʔàː/

[ʔàd.dɪ́.ʔàː]

Etymology tree
Arabic اَلْدُعَاء (al-duʕāʔ)bor.
Hausa addu'a
From Arabic اَلْدُعَاء (al-duʕāʔ, “the prayer”).

etymon

ar>اَلْدُعَاء>prayer

bor

(Islam) a prayer that is not one of the five daily prayers


jandarma

jandar̃mà (canonical masculine)
jandar̃màn (possessed-form)


shaiɗan

ha-noun

shàiɗân m (feminine shàiɗānìyā, plural shàiɗānū)

shàiɗân (canonical masculine)
shàiɗānìyā (feminine)
shàiɗānū (plural)

bor

Arabic شَيْطَان (šayṭān)


hakimi

ha-noun

hākìmī m (plural hā̀kìmai, possessed form hākìmin)

hākìmī (canonical masculine)
hā̀kìmai (plural)
hākìmin (possessed-form)

any leader of a district or holder of a traditional title


igwa

ìgwā f (plural igōgī, possessed form ìgwar̃)

ìgwā (canonical feminine)
igōgī (plural)
ìgwar̃ (possessed-form)


yarima

yàr̃īmà (canonical masculine)
yàr̃īmàn (possessed-form)

prince (son or younger brother of an emir)


musulmi

mùsùlmī m (feminine mùsùlmā, plural mùsùlmai, possessed form mùsùlmin)

mùsùlmī (canonical masculine)
mùsùlmā (feminine)
mùsùlmai (plural)
mùsùlmin (possessed-form)


masallaci

masallācī m (plural màsàllā̀tai, possessed form masallācin)

masallācī (canonical masculine)
màsàllā̀tai (plural)
masallācin (possessed-form)

→ Yoruba: mọ́ṣáláṣí, mọ́sálásí

Ultimately from Arabic مَسْجِد (masjid).


mala'ika

màlā'ikā̀ m (plural màlā̀'ìkū, possessed form màlā'ikàn)

màlā'ikā̀ (canonical masculine)
màlā̀'ìkū (plural)
màlā'ikàn (possessed-form)

[mə̀.láː.ʔɪ́.kàː]

From Arabic مَلَائِكَة (malāʔika), the plural of مَلْأَك (malʔak, “angel”).


al'aura

àl'aur̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
àl'aur̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

(Islam) awrah (parts of the body women are required to cover)


basasa

bāsāsā̀ (canonical feminine)
bāsāsàr̃ (possessed-form)

Originally the name given to the civil war fought in the 1890s in Kano, likely from Arabic بَسُوس (basūs), in reference to the Basus War.

a civil war; (more generally) any destructive war


makaranta

makar̃antā f (plural màkàr̃àntū, possessed form makar̃antar̃)

makar̃antā (canonical feminine)
màkàr̃àntū (plural)
makar̃antar̃ (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: mákáńtá


birgediya

bìr̃gēdiyā̀ m (possessed form bìr̃gēdiyàn)

bìr̃gēdiyā̀ (canonical masculine)
bìr̃gēdiyàn (possessed-form)

[bɪ̀r.ɟéː.dɪ́.jàː]


samanja

sā̀manjà (canonical masculine)
sā̀manjàn (possessed-form)


sharifi

shàr̃īfī̀ m (plural shàr̃ī̀fai, possessed form shàr̃īfìn)

shàr̃īfī̀ (canonical masculine)
shàr̃ī̀fai (plural)
shàr̃īfìn (possessed-form)

/ʃà.ríː.fìː/

[ʃə̀.ríː.ɸìː]

(Islam) Someone of noble descent, who can theoretically trace their ancestry back to Muhammad.


shehu

shēhū̀ m (feminine shēhùwā, plural shḕhùnai, possessed form shēhùn)

shēhū̀ (canonical masculine)
shēhùwā (feminine)
shḕhùnai (plural)
shēhùn (possessed-form)

From Arabic شَيْخ (šayḵ). Doublet of shaihi.

(Islam) A great scholar, especially in religious matters.

A traditional title of the emir of Borno.


shaihi

shaihī̀ m (plural shàihùnai, possessed form shaihìn)

shaihī̀ (canonical masculine)
shàihùnai (plural)
shaihìn (possessed-form)

From Arabic شَيْخ (šayḵ). Doublet of shehu.

(Islam) A great scholar or erudite person, especially in a Sufi order.


murhu

murhū̀ m (plural murā̀fū or murā̀fā, possessed form murhùn)

murhū̀ (canonical masculine)
murā̀fū (plural)
murā̀fā (plural)
murhùn (possessed-form)

a modern stove, which may be in the form of a container or tripod


katifa

kàtīfā̀ f (plural kàtī̀fū or kàtī̀fai, possessed form kàtīfàr̃)

kàtīfā̀ (canonical feminine)
kàtī̀fū (plural)
kàtī̀fai (plural)
kàtīfàr̃ (possessed-form)

[kə̀.tíː.ɸàː]


alaramma

alàr̃ammà (canonical masculine)
alàr̃ammàn (possessed-form)

(Islam) hafiz (someone who has memorized the entire Quran)


hubbare

hubbār̃è (canonical masculine)
hubbār̃èn (possessed-form)

(Islam) tomb of a religious leader (usually in reference to that of Usman Dan Fodio)


albarushi

àlbàr̃ūshī̀ m (possessed form àlbàr̃ūshìn)

àlbàr̃ūshī̀ (canonical masculine)
àlbàr̃ūshìn (possessed-form)

/ʔàl.bà.rúː.ʃìː/

[ʔàl.bə̀.rúː.ʃìː]


alhamdulillahi

From Arabic اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (al-ḥamdu lillahi).

bor

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

(Islam) alhamdulillah (praise be to God)


aljanna

àljannā̀ (canonical feminine)
àljannàr̃ (possessed-form)


Almasihu

(Islam, Christianity) Jesus, the Messiah


atone-janar

[ʔà.tóː.nɛ̀.d͡ʒə́.nàr]


ba'askare

ha-noun

bà'askar̃ḕ m (plural askar̃āwā, possessed form bà'askar̃èn)

bà'askar̃ḕ (canonical masculine)
askar̃āwā (plural)
bà'askar̃èn (possessed-form)

A native formation, from Arabic عَسْكَر (ʕaskar, “army”).


azumi

azùmī (canonical masculine)
azùmin (possessed-form)

[ʔá.zɪ̀.míː]

From Tuareg, e.g. Tamasheq ăẓum, from Arabic صَوْم (ṣawm).


bidi'a

bidi'ā̀ f (plural bidi'ō'ī, possessed form bidi'àr̃)

bidi'ā̀ (canonical feminine)
bidi'ō'ī (plural)
bidi'àr̃ (possessed-form)

[bɪ́.dɪ́.ʔàː]


buɗa-baki

bū̀ɗà-bā̀ki m

[bùː.ɗə̀.bàː.cɪ́]

Literally "open the mouth slightly". The sense of opening may indicate a calque of Arabic فِطْر (fiṭr).


da'awa

dà'àwā (canonical feminine)
dà'àwar̃ (possessed-form)

[də̀.ʔà.wáː]


darasi

dar̃àsī m (plural dar̃ussā̀, possessed form dar̃àsin)

dar̃àsī (canonical masculine)
dar̃ussā̀ (plural)
dar̃àsin (possessed-form)


du'a'i

du'ā'ī̀ (canonical masculine)
du'ā'ìn (possessed-form)

/dú.ʔáː.ʔìː/

[dɪ́.ʔáː.ʔìː]


ɗalibi

ɗālìbī m (feminine ɗālìbā, plural ɗā̀lìbai, possessed form ɗālìbin)

ɗālìbī (canonical masculine)
ɗālìbā (feminine)
ɗā̀lìbai (plural)
ɗālìbin (possessed-form)

/ɗáː.lì.bíː/

[ɗáː.lɪ̀.bíː]

student (at the level of secondary school or higher)


ɗawafi

ɗàwāfī̀ (canonical masculine)
ɗàwāfìn (possessed-form)

/ɗà.wáː.fìː/

[ɗə̀.wáː.ɸìː]

(Islam) tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba)


fida'u

fìdā'ū̀ (canonical masculine)
fìdā'ùn (possessed-form)

/fì.dáː.ʔùː/

[ɸɪ̀.dáː.ʔùː]


fi'ili

fi'ìlī m (plural fì'ìlai, possessed form fi'ìlin)

fi'ìlī (canonical masculine)
fì'ìlai (plural)
fi'ìlin (possessed-form)

[ɸɪ́.ʔɪ̀.líː]


faƙiri

fàƙīr̃ī̀ m (feminine fàƙīr̃ìyā, plural fàƙī̀r̃ai, possessed form fàƙīr̃ìn)

fàƙīr̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
fàƙīr̃ìyā (feminine)
fàƙī̀r̃ai (plural)
fàƙīr̃ìn (possessed-form)

[ɸə̀.cʼíː.rìː]


hamdala

hamdalā̀ (canonical feminine)
hamdalàr̃ (possessed-form)

From Arabic حَمْدَلَة (ḥamdala), derived from the expression الحَمْدُ لِله (al-ḥamdu li-llāh, “praise be to God”).


hisabi

hìsābī̀ (canonical masculine)
hìsābìn (possessed-form)

From Arabic حِسَاب (ḥisāb). Doublet of lissafi.

(Islam) the reckoning of good and bad deeds on Judgement Day


harsashi

hàr̃sāshī̀ m (possessed form hàr̃sāshìn)

hàr̃sāshī̀ (canonical masculine)
hàr̃sāshìn (possessed-form)


izifi

izìfī (canonical masculine)
izìfin (possessed-form)

[ʔɪ́.zɪ̀.ɸíː]

(Islam) hizb (one of the sixty sections into which the Qur'an is divided)


istihara

istìhār̃ā̀ f (possessed form istìhār̃àr̃)

istìhār̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
istìhār̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

[ʔɪ́s.tɪ̀.háː.ràː]

bor

اِسْتِخَارَة

Arabic اِسْتِخَارَة (istiḵāra)

(Islam) istikhara (prayer seeking guidance from God)


in sha Allahu

/ʔín ʃáː ʔàl.láː.hù/

[ʔɪ́ŋ ʃáː ʔàl.láː.hʊ̀]

From Arabic إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللّٰهُ (ʔin šāʔa llāhu).

إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللّٰهُ


jam'i

jam'ī̀ (canonical masculine)
jam'ìn (possessed-form)


janaba

jànabā̀ (canonical feminine)
jànabàr̃ (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒə̀.nə́.bàː]


farilla

ha-noun

fàr̃illā̀ f (plural fàr̃ìllai, possessed form fàr̃illàr̃)

fàr̃illā̀ (canonical feminine)
fàr̃ìllai (plural)
fàr̃illàr̃ (possessed-form)

[ɸə̀.rɪ́l.làː]


juzu'i

juzù'ī (canonical masculine)
juzù'in (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒɪ́.zɪ̀.ʔíː]

(Islam) juz' (one of the 30 portions into which the Qur'an is divided)


karahiya

kàr̃āhiyā̀ f (possessed form kàr̃āhiyàr̃)

kàr̃āhiyā̀ (canonical feminine)
kàr̃āhiyàr̃ (possessed-form)

(Islam) an act which is disfavored but not forbidden in Islam


ƙasida

ƙàsīdā̀ f (plural ƙàsī̀dū, possessed form ƙàsīdàr̃)

ƙàsīdā̀ (canonical feminine)
ƙàsī̀dū (plural)
ƙàsīdàr̃ (possessed-form)

[kʼə̀.síː.dàː]


kiyama

kìyāmā̀ (canonical feminine)
kìyāmàr̃ (possessed-form)

(Islam) resurrection (event that will occur on judgement day)


Lahira

Lāhir̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
Lāhir̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic اَلْآخِرَة (al-ʔāḵira).


lamiri

làmīr̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
làmīr̃ìn (possessed-form)


majalisa

màjàlisā̀ f (plural màjàlìsū, possessed form màjàlisàr̃)

màjàlisā̀ (canonical feminine)
màjàlìsū (plural)
màjàlisàr̃ (possessed-form)

[mə̀.d͡ʒə̀.lɪ́.sàː]


majami'a

màjāmi'ā̀ f (plural màjā̀mì'ū, possessed form màjāmi'àr̃)

màjāmi'ā̀ (canonical feminine)
màjā̀mì'ū (plural)
màjāmi'àr̃ (possessed-form)

[mə̀.d͡ʒáː.mɪ́.ʔàː]

Borrowed from Arabic مَجَامِع (majāmiʕ), plural of مَجْمَع (majmaʕ).


ma sha Allahu

head

mā̀ shā Àllāhù

mā̀ shā Àllāhù

ha-pos

mā̀ shā Àllāhù

mā̀ shā Àllāhù

/màː ʃáː ʔàl.láː.hù/

[màː ʃáː ʔàl.láː.hʊ̀]

From Arabic مَا شَاءَ ٱللّٰهُ (mā šāʔa llāhu).

bor

مَا شَاءَ ٱللّٰهُ


Muhammadiyya

ha-noun

Mùhàmmàdiyyā̀ f (possessed form Mùhàmmàdiyyàr̃)

Mùhàmmàdiyyā̀ (canonical feminine)
Mùhàmmàdiyyàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic مُحَمَّدِيَّة (muḥammadiyya).

bor

مُحَمَّدِيَّة

(Islam) Islamic studies, the teachings of Muhammad


mumbari

mumbàr̃ī (canonical masculine)
mumbàr̃in (possessed-form)


mulki

mulkī̀ (canonical masculine)
mulkìn (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: múlíki


mulukiya

mulūkiyā̀ (canonical feminine)
mulūkiyàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic مُلْكِيَّة (mulkiyya).


mumini

ha-noun

mūmìnī m (feminine mūmìnā, plural mū̀mìnai, possessed form mūmìnin)

mūmìnī (canonical masculine)
mūmìnā (feminine)
mū̀mìnai (plural)
mūmìnin (possessed-form)


siyasa

sìyāsā̀ (canonical feminine)
sìyāsàr̃ (possessed-form)


tauhidi

tàuhīdī̀ (canonical masculine)
tàuhīdìn (possessed-form)


wuridi

wur̃ìdī (canonical masculine)
wur̃ìdin (possessed-form)


zakka

zàkkā (canonical feminine)
zàkkar̃ (possessed-form)


sadaki

sàdâkī (canonical masculine)
sàdâkin (possessed-form)


takobi

takṑbī m or f (plural takubbā̀, possessed form takṑbin)

takṑbī (canonical feminine masculine)
takubbā̀ (plural)
takṑbin (possessed-form)

[tə́.kʷòː.bíː]

From Tuareg, e.g. Tamasheq tăkoba; a Songhay intermediate is possible, however.


ƙafa

ƙafā̀ f (plural ƙafā̀fū or ƙafāfuwā̀, possessed form ƙafàr̃)

ƙafā̀ (canonical feminine)
ƙafā̀fū (plural)
ƙafāfuwā̀ (plural)
ƙafàr̃ (possessed-form)


zikiri

zikìr̃ī (canonical masculine)
zikìr̃in (possessed-form)


waliyyi

wàliyyī̀ m (plural wàlìyyai, possessed form wàliyyìn)

wàliyyī̀ (canonical masculine)
wàlìyyai (plural)
wàliyyìn (possessed-form)


tsarki

tsarkī (canonical masculine)
tsarkin (possessed-form)

Littāfī̀ mài tsarkī


bishar̃a

bìshār̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
bìshār̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

/bì.ʃáː.ràː/

[bɪ̀.ʃáː.ràː]

From Arabic بِشَارَة (bišāra), calqued from Ancient Greek εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, “good news, gospel”).


hukunci

ha-noun

hukuncī̀ m (plural hùkùnce-hùkùnce, possessed form hukuncìn)

hukuncī̀ (canonical masculine)
hùkùnce-hùkùnce (plural)
hukuncìn (possessed-form)

[hʊ́.kʷʊ́n.t͡ʃìː]


ƙawa

ƙawā f (plural ƙawā̀yē, possessed form ƙawar̃)

ƙawā (canonical feminine)
ƙawā̀yē (plural)
ƙawar̃ (possessed-form)