A

The first letter of the Hausa alphabet, written in the Latin script. followed by B.


abada

[ʔà.bə̀.dâː]


Japan

Japan (a country and archipelago in East Asia)


ci

From Proto-Chadic, ultimately from Proto-Afroasiatic *taʔ- (“to eat, especially something soft, to close lips, especially loosely”). Compare Akkadian 𒋫𒀪𒌑 (ta-ʔu-u₂ /ta'u/, “to eat”), Mehri tewō (“eat”), Arabic تَأْتَأَ (taʔtaʔa, “to stammer, to stutter, to reduplicate sounds, to mumble or move lips”), and with varying Berber forms Tamahaq ⵜⵜ (tǝtt), Tarifit ⵜⵜ (tǝtt), Central Atlas Tamazight ⵜⵛ (tc), and Kabyle teṭṭ (pharyngeal-coloring found as well in the Arabic variant تَعْتَعَ (taʕtaʕa), and in that sense possible further connections to طَعِمَ (ṭaʕima, “to taste”) and عَضَّ (ʕaḍḍa, “to bite”)).


malam

ha-noun

mālàm m (feminine mālàmā, plural mā̀làmai)

mālàm (canonical masculine)
mālàmā (feminine)
mā̀làmai (plural)


tutu

tūtù (canonical masculine)
tūtùn (possessed-form)


bal

bâl (canonical feminine)
bàlā̀bàlai (plural)


kurwa

kùrwā (canonical feminine)
kùrwar̃ (possessed-form)


amana

àmānā̀ (canonical feminine)
àmānàr̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔà.máː.nàː/

[ʔà.máː.nàː]


uba

ùbā m (plural ùbànnī, possessed form ùban)

ùbā (canonical masculine)
ùbànnī (plural)
ùban (possessed-form)


sama

samà m or f (plural sàmàmai, possessed form samàn)

samà (canonical feminine masculine)
sàmàmai (plural)
samàn (possessed-form)


mama

mā̀ma (canonical feminine)
mā̀mar̃ (possessed-form)


mama

mā̀ma (canonical masculine)
mā̀man (possessed-form)


rake

ràkē (canonical masculine)
ràken (possessed-form)


ice

icḕ (canonical masculine)
icèn (possessed-form)

Uncertain, perhaps from a Saharan language; compare Dazaga idi.


sake

sàkē (canonical masculine)
sàken (possessed-form)


ni

From Proto-Chadic, from Proto-Afroasiatic *ʔanāku.

mínì (1st person singular indirect object enclitic pronoun)

nì (1st person singular independent object pronoun)

-wá (1st person singular possessive enclitic pronoun)


Ankara

[ʔáŋ.kə̀.rə̀]


mu

Cognates include Mangas mun, Polci mii, Miship mun.


ti

tî (canonical masculine)
tîn (possessed-form)


po

pô (canonical masculine)
pôn (possessed-form)


baba

bā̀ba (canonical masculine)
bā̀ban (possessed-form)

Used as a term of address for a man of appropriate age to be one's father, or who shares one's father's name.


baba

bā̀bā m (plural bā̀bànni, possessed form bā̀ban)

bā̀bā (canonical masculine)
bā̀bànni (plural)
bā̀ban (possessed-form)


baba

bābà (canonical feminine)
bābàr̃ (possessed-form)

Probably an early borrowing from Kanuri báwà (“paternal aunt”).


baba

bābā (canonical masculine)
bāban (possessed-form)


halal

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


ido

idṑ (canonical masculine)
idòn (possessed-form)

From Proto-Chadic *ydn.
Cognate with Polci yiir, Tal yit, Miship jɪt, Mwaghavul yit, Ngizim dà, Goemai jīt, Diri ádō, Siri ítá, Pa'a átā, Kushi ʔàɗò, Beele iddo, Bole ìdo, Kirfi íɾōː, Ngamo ìdò, Karekare ìdo, Gera īdi, Deno ídá, Duwai ī̀dà, Mbuko īɗé, Baka eli, Muyang ērī, Moloko alɛ́, Uldeme ārāy, Lagwan sɨ, Kirya-Konzel ncí, Podoko de, Zulgo-Gemzek aré, Daba hə̀rā, Dangaléat òdò.


tire

tìr̃ê (canonical masculine)
tìr̃ên (possessed-form)


idi

īdī̀ (canonical masculine)
īdìn (possessed-form)


riga

rī̀gā f (plural rīgunā̀, possessed form rī̀gar̃)

rī̀gā (canonical feminine)
rīgunā̀ (plural)
rī̀gar̃ (possessed-form)

an agbada or similar, the standard garb of men

a robe
a dress, the standard garb of women


kissa

kissà f (plural kissōshī, possessed form kissàr̃)

kissà (canonical feminine)
kissōshī (plural)
kissàr̃ (possessed-form)

intrigue, underhand dealing, any deceitful means to accomplishing something


dari

darī̀ m (feminine daranyā̀, possessed form darìn)

darī̀ (canonical masculine)
daranyā̀ (feminine)
darìn (possessed-form)

Compare Tuareg forms like Tawellemmet adəri. As neither the Tuareg nor Hausa terms have a clear etymology, both may be borrowings from an unknown source.


sum

Alternative form of gùm (“smelling bad”)


ja

jā (canonical)
jā (feminine)
jājā̀yē (plural)


rana

rānā f (plural rā̀nàikū, possessed form ran)

rānā (canonical feminine)
rā̀nàikū (plural)
ran (possessed-form)


tik

tîk (canonical)
bîf (alternative)
tîm (alternative)


alkali

àlkālī m (plural àlkā̀lai, possessed form àlkālin)

àlkālī (canonical masculine)
àlkā̀lai (plural)
àlkālin (possessed-form)


abu

àbù m (feminine àbā, plural abūbuwā̀, possessed form àbin)

àbù (canonical masculine)
àbā (feminine)
abūbuwā̀ (plural)
àbin (possessed-form)


sata

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

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


sa

sâ m (feminine sānìyā, plural shānū, possessed form sân)

sâ (canonical masculine)
sānìyā (feminine)
shānū (plural)
sân (possessed-form)

Generally thought to be from Proto-Chadic (compare Proto-Central Chadic *ɬa, whence Mbuko slā, Uldeme slà, Bana slá, Muyang ɬà, Moloko ɬa, Zulgo-Gemzek sla, Podoko sla, Daba zlà, Lagwan nsla), Ngizim tla. possibly cognate with Somali sac, Newman dissents and considers it a possible borrowing.


kura

kūrā f (plural kūrā̀yē, possessed form kūrar̃)

kūrā (canonical feminine)
kūrā̀yē (plural)
kūrar̃ (possessed-form)


nono

nōnṑ (canonical masculine)
nōnòn (possessed-form)

An areal word, perhaps from a Chadic root *nVnV- ("mother"), but also perhaps from Niger-Congo or Cushitic. Compare Sidamo unuuna (“breast”), Afar angu (“breast”), Saho angu (“breast”), Jiiddu eenge (“breast”), and Iraqw isaangw (“nipple, breast”).


matala

màtàlâ (canonical feminine)
màtàlân (possessed-form)


mesa

mēsā̀ f (plural mēsōshī, possessed form mēsàr̃)

mēsā̀ (canonical feminine)
mēsōshī (plural)
mēsàr̃ (possessed-form)


gato

gā̀tô (canonical masculine)
gā̀tôn (possessed-form)


diga

digā̀ f (plural digōgī, possessed form digàr̃)

digā̀ (canonical feminine)
digōgī (plural)
digàr̃ (possessed-form)


nama

nāmā̀ m (plural nāmū or nāmōmī, possessed form nāmàn)

nāmā̀ (canonical masculine)
nāmū (plural)
nāmōmī (plural)
nāmàn (possessed-form)

An old Chadic borrowing (also attested as Gwandara nama, Ngas nam) from Benue-Congo, cognate to Tyap nam, Lela nəmə, Proto-Bantu *nɲàmà.


gero

gērō (canonical masculine)
gēron (possessed-form)

Pennisetum glaucum
Pennisetum glaucum#Translingual

a short-season, non photoperiod sensitive variety of pearl millet


kai

From Proto-Afroasiatic [Term?]. Cognates include Mangas ka, Polci kii, Miship ɡɨ.

you (2nd person singular subject pronoun)

mákà (2nd person singular indirect object enclitic pronoun)

ká (2nd person singular independent object pronoun)

-kà (2nd person singular possessive enclitic pronoun)


kai

kâi m (plural kāwunā̀, possessed form kâin)

kâi (canonical masculine)
kāwunā̀ (plural)
kâin (possessed-form)

Cognate with Bole kóːʔiː, Galambu kā, Gera ká, Deno kàá, Mangas kaam, Goemai kāː, Polci gaam.


su

they (third person plural independent subject pronoun)

músù (3rd person plural indirect object enclitic pronoun)

sú (3rd person plural independent object pronoun)

-sù (3rd person plural possessive enclitic pronoun)


mace

màcḕ f (plural mātā, possessed form màcèn)

màcḕ (canonical feminine)
mātā (plural)
màcèn (possessed-form)

Derived from mā̀tā through an adverbial form.


sauna

saunā̀ m or f (plural saunōnī, possessed form saunàn)

saunā̀ (canonical feminine masculine)
saunōnī (plural)
saunàn (possessed-form)


haja

hājā̀ f (plural hājōjī, possessed form hājàr̃)

hājā̀ (canonical feminine)
hājōjī (plural)
hājàr̃ (possessed-form)


acca

accā̀ (canonical feminine)
accàr̃ (possessed-form)

English: acha

/ʔát͡ʃ.t͡ʃàː/

Digitaria exilis
Digitaria exilis#Translingual


ɓ

The third letter of the Hausa alphabet, written in the Latin script. Preceded by B and followed by C, and representing /ɓ/.


ƴ

(Niger) A letter of the Hausa alphabet, written in the Latin script..


lada

lādā (canonical masculine)
lādan (possessed-form)

→ Yoruba: láádá


ita

Cognate with Mangas ta, Bole ítáː, Kirfi tāː, Beele etita, Galambu tāː, Gera tá, Deno taː.

mátà (3rd person singular feminine indirect object enclitic pronoun)

tá (3rd person singular feminine independent object pronoun)

-tà (3rd person singular feminine possessive enclitic pronoun)


laya

lāyā̀ f (plural lāyū, possessed form lāyàr̃)

lāyā̀ (canonical feminine)
lāyū (plural)
lāyàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic اَلْآيَة (al-ʔāya).

a charm or talisman made of verses from the Qur'an


hajji

hajjì (canonical masculine)
hajjìn (possessed-form)
haji (alternative)

[ʔàl.há.d͡ʒɪ́]


manja

manjà m (plural manjōjī, possessed form manjàn)

manjà (canonical masculine)
manjōjī (plural)
manjàn (possessed-form)


guru

gūr̃ū m (plural gūr̃ā̀yē, possessed form gūr̃un)

gūr̃ū (canonical masculine)
gūr̃ā̀yē (plural)
gūr̃un (possessed-form)

A large leather belt, usually containing charms.


keso

kēsṑ m (plural kēsunā̀, possessed form kēsòn)

kēsṑ (canonical masculine)
kēsunā̀ (plural)
kēsòn (possessed-form)


amo

amō (canonical masculine)
amon (possessed-form)


duma

dumā m (plural dumā̀mē, possessed form duman)

dumā (canonical masculine)
dumā̀mē (plural)
duman (possessed-form)

Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria#Translingual


duma

To put one's mouth deeply into something

(with an indirect object) To strike a person with something


sago

sagō (canonical masculine)
sagon (possessed-form)


farce

farcḕ m (plural farā̀tā, possessed form farcèn)

farcḕ (canonical masculine)
farā̀tā (plural)
farcèn (possessed-form)


mai

mâi (canonical masculine)
mâin (possessed-form)


babi

bābī̀ (canonical masculine)
bābìn (possessed-form)


pil

(Niger) battery (especially of a flashlight)


manzo

mànzō m (plural mànzànnī, possessed form mànzon)

mànzō (canonical masculine)
mànzànnī (plural)
mànzon (possessed-form)


minti

mintī̀ f (plural mintōcī, possessed form mintìn)

mintī̀ (canonical feminine)
mintōcī (plural)
mintìn (possessed-form)


minti

mintī̀ (canonical feminine)
mintìn (possessed-form)


ulu

ūlù (canonical masculine)
ūlùn (possessed-form)


sila

silā̀ (canonical feminine)
silàr̃ (possessed-form)


fara

fā̀rā f (plural fā̀rāi, possessed form fā̀rar̃)

fā̀rā (canonical feminine)
fā̀rāi (plural)
fā̀rar̃ (possessed-form)


illa

illā̀ f (plural illōlī, possessed form illàr̃)

illā̀ (canonical feminine)
illōlī (plural)
illàr̃ (possessed-form)


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)


banda

bàndā (canonical feminine)
bàndar̃ (possessed-form)


hula

hū̀lā f (plural hūlunā̀, possessed form hū̀lar̃)

hū̀lā (canonical feminine)
hūlunā̀ (plural)
hū̀lar̃ (possessed-form)
fū̀lā (alternative)

cap, hat - especially, the traditional embroidered cap worn by Hausa men


baki

bā̀kī m (plural bākunā̀, possessed form bā̀kin)

bā̀kī (canonical masculine)
bākunā̀ (plural)
bā̀kin (possessed-form)

Cognate with Mangas pyik, Miship pu̯o, Beele ɓoɡo, Bole bō, Kirfi bù, Galambu bù, Gera bōːwì, Deno būɡí, Sha haagi, Gerka pák.


bindi

bindī̀ (canonical masculine)
bindìn (possessed-form)


bori

bṑrī (canonical masculine)
bṑrin (possessed-form)


titi

tītī̀ m (plural tītunā̀, possessed form tītìn)

tītī̀ (canonical masculine)
tītunā̀ (plural)
tītìn (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Yoruba títì (“street”), from English street.


rai

râi m (plural rāyukā̀, possessed form râin)

râi (canonical masculine)
rāyukā̀ (plural)
râin (possessed-form)

Possibly cognate with Duwai r̃ùwà (“life”).


bas

bâs (canonical feminine)
bâs-bâs (plural)


goba

gōbā̀ (canonical feminine)
gōbàr̃ (possessed-form)
gwaibā̀ (alternative)


yaro

yārṑ m (feminine yārinyā̀, plural yârā, possessed form yāròn)

yārṑ (canonical masculine)
yārinyā̀ (feminine)
yârā (plural)
yāròn (possessed-form)

A follower of a chief or similar person.


bora

bōrā̀ (canonical feminine)
bōràr̃ (possessed-form)

less-favored wife, wife who is not her husband's favorite


ت

head

ت / ت / ت / ت

ت / ت / ت / ت (tā’)

The eighteenth letter of the Hausa abjad.


gagai

gagài (canonical masculine)
gagàn (possessed-form)


baka

ha-noun

bàkā m (plural bakunkunā̀, possessed form bàkan)

bàkā (canonical masculine)
bakunkunā̀ (plural)
bàkan (possessed-form)

Cognate with Duwai bak, Mwaghavul mbuka.


mata

mā̀tā f (plural mātā, possessed form mā̀tar̃)

mā̀tā (canonical feminine)
mātā (plural)
mā̀tar̃ (possessed-form)


koko

kōko (canonical masculine)
kōkon (possessed-form)


koko

kṑkō (canonical masculine)
kṑkon (possessed-form)


boca

bōcā̀ f (plural bōcōcī, possessed form bōcàr̃)

bōcā̀ (canonical feminine)
bōcōcī (plural)
bōcàr̃ (possessed-form)


mugu

head

mūgū̀ (feminine mūgùwā or mugunyā̀, plural mūgā̀yē or miyā̀gū)

mūgū̀ (canonical)
mūgùwā (feminine)
mugunyā̀ (feminine)
mūgā̀yē (plural)
miyā̀gū (plural)


mugu

ha-noun

mūgū̀ m (feminine mūgùwā or mugunyā̀, plural mūgā̀yē or miyā̀gū, possessed form mūgùn)

mūgū̀ (canonical masculine)
mūgùwā (feminine)
mugunyā̀ (feminine)
mūgā̀yē (plural)
miyā̀gū (plural)
mūgùn (possessed-form)


sili

sīlī̀ m (plural sīlī̀, possessed form sīlìn)

sīlī̀ (canonical masculine)
sīlī̀ (plural)
sīlìn (possessed-form)


kamala

kàmālā̀ (canonical feminine)
kàmālàr̃ (possessed-form)


Ali

a male given name, equivalent to English Ali


fula

fū̀lā f (plural fūlunā̀, possessed form fū̀lar̃)

fū̀lā (canonical feminine)
fūlunā̀ (plural)
fū̀lar̃ (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: fùla

→ Yoruba: fìlà


cali

cālī (canonical masculine)
cālin (possessed-form)


cali

cā̀li (canonical masculine)
cā̀lin (possessed-form)

someone who clowns around; the humorous character in a film; a funnyman


tim

Alternative form of tîk (“something heavy falling”)


Mohammed

a male given name: Alternative form of Muhammadu


Ibrahim

[ʔɪ̀b.ráː.hɪ̀ŋ]

Borrowed from Arabic إِبْرَاهِيم (ʔibrāhīm).

bor

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)


Muharram

Borrowed from Arabic مُحَرَّم (muḥarram).


Sha'aban

[ʃə̀.ʔà.bâŋ]

Arabic شَعْبَان (šaʕbān)


Hasan

a male given name, Hasan, traditionally given to a first-born twin


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”).


koma

ha-noun

kōmā m (plural kōmā̀yē, possessed form kōman)

kōmā (canonical masculine)
kōmā̀yē (plural)
kōman (possessed-form)


hau

hâu (canonical masculine)
hâun (possessed-form)


kallo

kallō (canonical masculine)
kallon (possessed-form)


bajo

bājṑ (canonical masculine)
bājòn (possessed-form)


har

Uncertain. The word is widespread in the Sahel, but may ultimately be from either Tuareg har (“until”) or Arabic حَتَّى (ḥattā, “until”).


sau

sau m (plural sāwā̀yē, possessed form san)


sau

sàu (canonical masculine)
sàn (possessed-form)


sau

Clipping of sàkā (“release”) (used before an object).


parmi

pàr̃mî (canonical masculine)
pàr̃mîn (possessed-form)

(Niger) driver's license, driving licence


mota

mōtā̀ f (plural mōtōcī, possessed form mōtàr̃)

mōtā̀ (canonical feminine)
mōtōcī (plural)
mōtàr̃ (possessed-form)


fari

farī (canonical)
farā (feminine)
farā̀rē (plural)


fari

farī m (plural farā̀rē, possessed form farin)

farī (canonical masculine)
farā̀rē (plural)
farin (possessed-form)


fari

farī m (plural farfarū, possessed form farin)

farī (canonical masculine)
farfarū (plural)
farin (possessed-form)


fari

fārì (canonical masculine)
fārìn (possessed-form)


bara

barā̀ m (feminine baranyā̀, plural barōrī, possessed form baràn)

barā̀ (canonical masculine)
baranyā̀ (feminine)
barōrī (plural)
baràn (possessed-form)

A young person who out of respect volunteers to work for someone from time to time.


bara

bar̃ā̀ f (plural bàr̃ā̀ce-bàr̃ā̀ce, possessed form bar̃àr̃)

bar̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
bàr̃ā̀ce-bàr̃ā̀ce (plural)
bar̃àr̃ (possessed-form)


bara

bā̀r̃ā (canonical feminine)
bā̀r̃ar̃ (possessed-form)

one's focus (e.g., in aiming at or attempting to catch something)


bara

bā̀ra (canonical feminine)
bā̀rar̃ (possessed-form)


maye

mā̀yē (canonical masculine)
mā̀yen (possessed-form)


tuta

tūtā̀ f (plural tūtōcī, possessed form tūtàr̃)

tūtā̀ (canonical feminine)
tūtōcī (plural)
tūtàr̃ (possessed-form)


taska

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.

personal room of the head of the household


hali

hālī (canonical masculine)
hālin (possessed-form)

From Arabic حَال (ḥāl). Doublet of àlhālī.


kanti

kàntī m (plural kantunā̀, possessed form kàntin)

kàntī (canonical masculine)
kantunā̀ (plural)
kàntin (possessed-form)


kafa

kafā f (plural kafōfī, possessed form kafar̃)

kafā (canonical feminine)
kafōfī (plural)
kafar̃ (possessed-form)
کَفَا (alternative)


tela

tēlà m (plural tēlōlī, possessed form tēlàn)

tēlà (canonical masculine)
tēlōlī (plural)
tēlàn (possessed-form)


citta

cìtta (canonical feminine)
cìttar̃ (possessed-form)

desc

→ Arabic: شَطَّة (šaṭṭa), شَطِيطَة (šaṭīṭa)

→ Kanuri: njittá

[t͡ʃɪ̀t.tə́]

Aframomum melegueta
Aframomum melegueta#Translingual

Capsicum annuum
Capsicum annuum#Translingual


citta

[t͡ʃɪ́t.tə̀]


sati

sātī (canonical masculine)
sātin (possessed-form)


kolo

ha-noun

kōlō m (plural kōlā̀yē, possessed form kōlon)

kōlō (canonical masculine)
kōlā̀yē (plural)
kōlon (possessed-form)

A fixed-pitch drum, similar to the jauje.


kolo

kōlō (canonical masculine)
kōlon (possessed-form)

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


maya

mā̀yā (canonical masculine)
mā̀yan (possessed-form)


kare

kàrē m (feminine kàryā, plural kar̃nukā̀, possessed form kàren)

kàrē (canonical masculine)
kàryā (feminine)
kar̃nukā̀ (plural)
kàren (possessed-form)

An areal word, perhaps from Nilo-Saharan; compare Kanuri kǝ́rì. Cognate with Warji kaɗi (“dog”), Podoko kədá, Zulgo-Gemzek kəra, Mundat gə́rà, Kirya-Konzel kə́ɽí, Bura kilà, Lagwan kɨle, Dangaléat kan̰a.


kare

kā̀r̃ê (canonical masculine)
kā̀r̃ên (possessed-form)


awa

awā̀ f (plural awōyī, possessed form awàr̃)

awā̀ (canonical feminine)
awōyī (plural)
awàr̃ (possessed-form)


isha

ī̀shā (canonical feminine)
ī̀shar̃ (possessed-form)


goma

From Proto-Chadic *gʷam-, likely an old borrowing from Niger-Congo (compare Proto-Bantu *ìkʊ́mì), or from Proto-Afroasiatic with metathesis. If so, cognate with Egyptian mḏw and Proto-Berber *măraw (whence Central Atlas Tamazight ⵎⵔⴰⵡ (mraw)). Cognate with Ngizim gūmà, Bura kuma, Daba guɓ, Podoko jɨ́ma, Kirya-Konzel gùm, Duwai gū̀mà.


tasa

tāsā̀ f (plural tāsōshī, possessed form tāsàr̃)

tāsā̀ (canonical feminine)
tāsōshī (plural)
tāsàr̃ (possessed-form)


kimsa

to stuff or cram something untidily into a container

(with an indirect object) to stab or punch someone


kuni

kùnî (canonical masculine)
kùnîn (possessed-form)


kore

head

kōr̃ā̀yē or kwâr̃r̃ā

kōr̃ḕ (feminine kōr̃ìyā, plural kōr̃ā̀yē or kwâr̃r̃ā)

kōr̃ḕ (canonical)
kōr̃ìyā (feminine)
kōr̃ā̀yē (plural)
kwâr̃r̃ā (plural)


dama

dāmā (canonical feminine)
dāmar̃ (possessed-form)


tama

tamā (canonical feminine)
tamar̃ (possessed-form)


bahar

→ Mwaghavul: bahar


rama

ramā̀ (canonical feminine)
ramàr̃ (possessed-form)


rama

rā̀ma (canonical feminine)
rā̀mar̃ (possessed-form)


tara

Considered by Blench to be likely derived from a Plateau Benue-Congo language; compare Horom taras, Che ataras, Fyam téres, Yeskwa tɔla.


tara

tā̀rā (canonical feminine)
tā̀rar̃ (possessed-form)


halwa

halwā̀ (canonical feminine)
halwàr̃ (possessed-form)

(Islam) khalwa, a religious retreat in Sufism


shi

másà (3rd person singular masculine indirect object enclitic pronoun)

shí (3rd person singular masculine independent object pronoun)

-sà (3rd person singular masculine possessive enclitic pronoun)


riba

r̃ìba (canonical feminine)
r̃ìbar̃ (possessed-form)


riba

r̃ībā̀ (canonical feminine)
r̃ībàr̃ (possessed-form)

Ultimately from Arabic رِبْح (ribḥ), but the long ī suggests an intermediate, perhaps Fula riiba.


soso

sṑsō (canonical masculine)
sṑson (possessed-form)


kado

kā̀dô (canonical masculine)
kā̀dôn (possessed-form)


tabo

ha-noun

tabṑ m (plural tâbbā, possessed form tabòn)

tabṑ (canonical masculine)
tâbbā (plural)
tabòn (possessed-form)


naira

nair̃ā̀ f (plural nair̃ōr̃ī, possessed form nair̃àr̃)

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


dubu

dubū (canonical feminine)
dùbbai (plural)


kunne

kûnnē m (plural kunnuwā̀, possessed form kûnnen)

kûnnē (canonical masculine)
kunnuwā̀ (plural)
kûnnen (possessed-form)

From Proto-Chadic *km/*ɬm. Cognate with Beele kumo, Bole kūmī, Kirfi kúmā, Diri húmà, Siri kūūtá, Kariya kúméi, Goemai kwām, Polci kəəm, Mangas kɨmsi, Miya kúmáy, Saya kə̀:m, Muyang ɬìmì, Uldeme sləmāy, Bana slə́mə́, Matal sləm, Lagwan slɨmi, Moloko ɬəmáy, Mbuko ɬə́máy, Podoko sləma, Kirya-Konzel tlə́m, Daba zlìmī and Mpade shimu.


Musa

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


buta

būtā̀ f (plural būtōcī, possessed form būtàr̃)

būtā̀ (canonical feminine)
būtōcī (plural)
būtàr̃ (possessed-form)


fura

furā (canonical feminine)
furar̃ (possessed-form)

Balls of cooked millet in cultured milk.

Gruel made by mixing the aforementioned balls with sour milk or, less often, with water and tamarind.


guba

gubā̀ (canonical feminine)
gubàr̃ (possessed-form)


tandu

tandū m (plural tandā̀yē, possessed form tandun)

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

A small, leather container for oil, honey, or antimony.


huntu

head

huntū (feminine huntuwā, plural huntā̀yē)

huntū (canonical)
huntuwā (feminine)
huntā̀yē (plural)


huntu

ha-noun

huntū m (feminine huntuwā, plural huntā̀yē, possessed form huntun)

huntū (canonical masculine)
huntuwā (feminine)
huntā̀yē (plural)
huntun (possessed-form)


bura

būrā (canonical feminine)
būrar̃ (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).


toka

tṑkā (canonical feminine)
tṑkar̃ (possessed-form)


kanta

kantā (canonical feminine)
kantar̃ (possessed-form)


kanta

kantā̀ f (plural kantōcī, possessed form kantàr̃)

kantā̀ (canonical feminine)
kantōcī (plural)
kantàr̃ (possessed-form)


jaki

jā̀kī m (feminine jā̀kā, plural jā̀kai or jākunā̀, possessed form jā̀kin)

jā̀kī (canonical masculine)
jā̀kā (feminine)
jā̀kai (plural)
jākunā̀ (plural)
jā̀kin (possessed-form)


siga

sīgā̀ f (plural sīgōgī, possessed form sīgàr̃)

sīgā̀ (canonical feminine)
sīgōgī (plural)
sīgàr̃ (possessed-form)


kori

kōr̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
kōr̃ìn (possessed-form)


komi

kōmī m (plural kōmā̀yē, possessed form kōmin)

kōmī (canonical masculine)
kōmā̀yē (plural)
kōmin (possessed-form)


nas

nâs (canonical feminine masculine)
nâs-nâs (plural)


wata

watā̀ m (plural wàtànnī, possessed form watàn)

watā̀ (canonical masculine)
wàtànnī (plural)
watàn (possessed-form)


oga

ògā (canonical masculine)
ògan (possessed-form)


guna

gunā̀ f (plural gunōnī, possessed form gunàr̃)

gunā̀ (canonical feminine)
gunōnī (plural)
gunàr̃ (possessed-form)

Citrullus lanatus
Citrullus lanatus#Translingual

tsamma (a bitter melon, Citrullus lanatus)

An epithet for someone who is not as strong as expected.

(colloquial) A girl who is physically mature with developed breasts.


sito

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

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


salo

salō (canonical masculine)
salon (possessed-form)


hanya

hanyā̀ (canonical feminine)
hanyàr̃ (possessed-form)


saja

sājā̀ (canonical masculine)
sājàn (possessed-form)


rogo

rōgṑ (canonical masculine)
rōgòn (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: rógò

Manihot esculenta
Manihot esculenta#Translingual

various other tubers, including Ampelocissus and Dioscorea dumetorum


dogo

dōgō (canonical)
dōguwā (feminine)
dōgā̀yē (plural)


dogo

dōgō m (feminine dōguwā, plural dōgā̀yē, possessed form dōgon)

dōgō (canonical masculine)
dōguwā (feminine)
dōgā̀yē (plural)
dōgon (possessed-form)

someone or something which is long or tall


wasa

wā̀sā m (plural wā̀sànnī, possessed form wā̀san)

wā̀sā (canonical masculine)
wā̀sànnī (plural)
wā̀san (possessed-form)


kunci

kuncī̀ m (plural kumā̀tū, possessed form kuncìn)

kuncī̀ (canonical masculine)
kumā̀tū (plural)
kuncìn (possessed-form)

[kʷʊ́n.t͡ʃìː]


laba

lābā̀ f (plural lābōbī, possessed form lābàr̃)

lābā̀ (canonical feminine)
lābōbī (plural)
lābàr̃ (possessed-form)


duri

dūrī̀ (canonical masculine)
dūrìn (possessed-form)


fili

fīlī m (plural fīlā̀yē, possessed form fīlin)

fīlī (canonical masculine)
fīlā̀yē (plural)
fīlin (possessed-form)

(by extension) opportunity, chance, opening


canko

cànkō (canonical masculine)
cànkon (possessed-form)

[t͡ʃàŋ.kʷóː]


mutu

From Proto-Chadic *mawut, from Proto-Afroasiatic *mawVt- (“to die, to kill”). Cognate with Proto-Semitic *mawut-, Egyptian mwt and Central Atlas Tamazight ⵎⵎⵜ (mmt).


raki

rākī̀ (canonical masculine)
rākìn (possessed-form)


wanka

wankā (canonical masculine)
wankan (possessed-form)


zi

zî (canonical masculine)
zîn (possessed-form)


suna

ha-noun

sūnā m (plural sūnā̀yē or sūnànnakī, possessed form sūnan)

sūnā (canonical masculine)
sūnā̀yē (plural)
sūnànnakī (plural)
sūnan (possessed-form)

From Proto-Chadic *s₃m, from Proto-Afroasiatic *sim-. Compare with Proto-Semitic *šim-.


sista

sistā̀ f (plural sistōcī, possessed form sistàr̃)

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

From English sister; compare Nigerian Pidgin sista.


garu

gā̀r̃ū m (plural gār̃ukā̀, possessed form gā̀r̃un)

gā̀r̃ū (canonical masculine)
gār̃ukā̀ (plural)
gā̀r̃un (possessed-form)


salama

sàlāmā̀ (canonical feminine)
sàlāmàr̃ (possessed-form)


talla

tàllà m (plural tàllàce-tàllàce, possessed form tàllàn)

tàllà (canonical masculine)
tàllàce-tàllàce (plural)
tàllàn (possessed-form)


hama

hamā̀ f (plural hamōmī, possessed form hamàr̃)

hamā̀ (canonical feminine)
hamōmī (plural)
hamàr̃ (possessed-form)


huhu

hū̀hū m (plural hū̀hū, possessed form hū̀hun)

hū̀hū (canonical masculine)
hū̀hū (plural)
hū̀hun (possessed-form)

An areal word found in both Afroasiatic and Nilo-Saharan, cognate to Kanuri fùfú. Cognate with Bura fufu, Mangas huhu, Ngizim fūfû, Ngamo hū̀hu, Bole hū̀hu/pū̀pu, Duwai fəkfək, Fyer vɔkɔr, Ron fòlòk, Podoko bə́fa, Uldeme mbèf, Muyang xwʊ̀vxwʊ̀v.


huhu

hūhū̀ m (plural hūhunā̀, possessed form hūhùn)

hūhū̀ (canonical masculine)
hūhunā̀ (plural)
hūhùn (possessed-form)


aya

āyā̀ f (plural āyōyī, possessed form āyàr̃)

āyā̀ (canonical feminine)
āyōyī (plural)
āyàr̃ (possessed-form)


aya

ayā (canonical feminine)
ayar̃ (possessed-form)

Cyperus esculentus
Cyperus esculentus#Translingual

tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) (a plant)


loga

lōgā̀ (canonical feminine)
lōgàr̃ (possessed-form)


bika

bìkā m (plural bìkā, possessed form bìkan)

bìkā (canonical masculine)
bìkā (plural)
bìkan (possessed-form)


molo

mōlō m (plural mōlā̀yē, possessed form mōlon)

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


sunna

sunnā̀ f (plural sunnōnī, possessed form sunnàr̃)

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


sunna

(with an indirect object) To give something secretly to someone.


zago

zagō (canonical masculine)
zagon (possessed-form)


waga

wāgā m (plural wāgā̀gē, possessed form wāgan)

wāgā (canonical masculine)
wāgā̀gē (plural)
wāgan (possessed-form)

A pair of (hide) bags for carrying goods (e.g., on a pack animal or a motorcycle)


wala

wālā (canonical feminine)
wālar̃ (possessed-form)


mele

mēlē (canonical masculine)
mēlen (possessed-form)


shuri

shūrī̀ m (plural shūrā̀yē, possessed form shūrìn)

shūrī̀ (canonical masculine)
shūrā̀yē (plural)
shūrìn (possessed-form)
sūrī̀ (alternative)


lamba

lambā̀ f (plural lambōbī, possessed form lambàr̃)

lambā̀ (canonical feminine)
lambōbī (plural)
lambàr̃ (possessed-form)


kati

kātī̀ m (plural kātunā̀, possessed form kātìn)

kātī̀ (canonical masculine)
kātunā̀ (plural)
kātìn (possessed-form)


uda

ūdà (canonical feminine masculine)
ūdàn (possessed-form)


gunya

gunyā (canonical feminine)
gunyar̃ (possessed-form)


boko

bōkṑ (canonical masculine)
bōkòn (possessed-form)

Often stated to be borrowed from English book, but Paul Newman disputes this, stating that "boko is an indigenous Hausa word originally connoting sham, fraud, deceit, or lack of authenticity. When the British colonial government imposed secular schools in northern Nigeria at the beginning of the 20th century, boko was applied in a pejorative sense to this new system. By semantic extension, boko came to acquire its current meaning of Hausa written in Roman script and Western education in general."

a mock or imitation version of something real

Boko alphabet (Latin script used to write Hausa)


eka

ēkā̀ f (plural ēkōkī, possessed form ēkàr̃)

ēkā̀ (canonical feminine)
ēkōkī (plural)
ēkàr̃ (possessed-form)


dina

dinā̀ (canonical feminine)
dinàr̃ (possessed-form)


tulu

tū̀lū m (plural tūlunā̀, possessed form tū̀lun)

tū̀lū (canonical masculine)
tūlunā̀ (plural)
tū̀lun (possessed-form)

A water pot with a narrow neck that is shaped like a bottle gourd.


kaka

kā̀kā m or f (plural kā̀kànnī, possessed form kā̀kan)

kā̀kā (canonical feminine masculine)
kā̀kànnī (plural)
kā̀kan (possessed-form)


kaka

kā̀kā (canonical feminine)
kā̀kar̃ (possessed-form)


uwa

uwā f (plural iyā̀yē, possessed form uwar̃)

uwā (canonical feminine)
iyā̀yē (plural)
uwar̃ (possessed-form)

Newman derives this from Proto-Chadic *wəɗi. Blench suggests a derivation from a Plateau Benue-Congo language; compare Ningye Numana uwa (“wife”), Kanufi uwa (“woman”), Bu iwa (“wife”).


rami

rāmī̀ m (plural rāmukā̀, possessed form rāmìn)

rāmī̀ (canonical masculine)
rāmukā̀ (plural)
rāmìn (possessed-form)


duna

dūnā̀ (canonical masculine)
dūnàn (possessed-form)


batir

bātìr̃ m (plural bātur̃ā̀ or bātir̃ōr̃ī)

bātìr̃ (canonical masculine)
bātur̃ā̀ (plural)
bātir̃ōr̃ī (plural)


alabo

àlàbō (canonical masculine)
àlàbon (possessed-form)

[ʔà.lə̀.bóː]


alabe

àlabḕ m (plural àlàbai, possessed form àlabèn)

àlabḕ (canonical masculine)
àlàbai (plural)
àlabèn (possessed-form)

[ʔà.lə́.bèː]

Clearly related to Tamasheq elăbăy (“tobacco pouch”) and Zarma álbày (“leather purse”), but the direction of borrowing is unclear.

leather wallet (often carried hanging from the neck)


anta

antā̀ (canonical feminine)
antàr̃ (possessed-form)


cata

cātā̀ (canonical feminine)
cātàr̃ (possessed-form)


sannu

sannù (canonical feminine)
sannùn (possessed-form)


liman

lī̀mân m (plural lī̀mā̀mai, possessed form lī̀māmìn)

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

The equivalent of an imam in other religions; in Christianity, a pastor or priest.


rema

rēmā m (plural rēmā̀yē, possessed form rēman)

rēmā (canonical masculine)
rēmā̀yē (plural)
rēman (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.


turba

turbā̀ (canonical feminine)
turbàr̃ (possessed-form)


zafaran

[zàː.ɸə̀.râŋ]

Borrowed from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān).


shifta

shiftā̀ (canonical feminine)
shiftàr̃ (possessed-form)


nim

→ Nupe: nímù

Borrowed from Arabic نِيم (nīm), from Hindi नीम (nīm).


kunya

kunyā̀ (canonical feminine)
kunyàr̃ (possessed-form)


kunya

kunyā f (plural kunyōyī, possessed form kunyar̃)

kunyā (canonical feminine)
kunyōyī (plural)
kunyar̃ (possessed-form)


goyo

gōyō m (plural gōyàyyakī, possessed form gōyon)

gōyō (canonical masculine)
gōyàyyakī (plural)
gōyon (possessed-form)

something or someone carried on the back


batta

battā̀ f (plural battōcī, possessed form battàr̃)

battā̀ (canonical feminine)
battōcī (plural)
battàr̃ (possessed-form)

small metal container (e.g., of tiger balm)


cibi

cibī (canonical masculine)
cibin (possessed-form)

→ Baatonum: sibi

→ Yoruba: ṣíbí


cibi

cībī̀ (canonical masculine)
cībìn (possessed-form)

(pathology) swollen protruding navel; umbilical hernia


santi

sànti (canonical masculine)
sàntin (possessed-form)

gauche or socially inappropriate behavior, especially at a meal


pasaje

pàsàjê (canonical feminine masculine)
pàsàjên (possessed-form)


sha

From Proto-Chadic *s₂w-. Compare with Tarifit su (“to drink”).


rula

r̃ūlā̀ f (plural r̃ūlōlī, possessed form r̃ūlàr̃)

r̃ūlā̀ (canonical feminine)
r̃ūlōlī (plural)
r̃ūlàr̃ (possessed-form)


sanka

sankā f (plural sankā̀yē, possessed form sankar̃)

sankā (canonical feminine)
sankā̀yē (plural)
sankar̃ (possessed-form)


haram

hàr̃âm (canonical masculine)
hàr̃āmùn (possessed-form)

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


Amina

Amīnà (canonical feminine)
Amī̀nā (canonical feminine)

[ʔá.míː.nə̀]


nisa

nīsā (canonical masculine)
nīsan (possessed-form)


hutu

hūtū (canonical masculine)
hūtun (possessed-form)


kili

kìlî (canonical masculine)
kìlîn (possessed-form)


suya

sūyā̀ (canonical feminine)
sūyàr̃ (possessed-form)


tasku

taskù (canonical masculine)
taskùn (possessed-form)


alli

âllī (canonical masculine)
âllin (possessed-form)


cuna

cūnā̀ f (plural cūnōnī, possessed form cūnàr̃)

cūnā̀ (canonical feminine)
cūnōnī (plural)
cūnàr̃ (possessed-form)

A side seam joining the lower ends of a gown.


cuna

(with an indirect object) to set a person or animal to catch or attack someone


haɓa

haɓā̀ f (plural haɓoɓi, possessed form haɓàr̃)

haɓā̀ (canonical feminine)
haɓoɓi (plural)
haɓàr̃ (possessed-form)


safi

sāfī m (plural sāfā̀yē, possessed form sāfin)

sāfī (canonical masculine)
sāfā̀yē (plural)
sāfin (possessed-form)


fam

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

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


barka

Barka da safiya!


hani

hanī̀ (canonical masculine)
hanìn (possessed-form)


babba

bàbba (canonical)
bàbba (feminine)
mânyā (plural)

Unknown. The suppletive plural may have once been the singular, and has plentiful cognates within Chadic, e.g. Kanakuru manjò (“old”, singular).


banga

bàngā f (plural bangunā̀, possessed form bàngar̃)

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

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


noti

nōtī̀ m (plural nōtōcī, possessed form nōtìn)

nōtī̀ (canonical masculine)
nōtōcī (plural)
nōtìn (possessed-form)


tanti

tantī̀ (canonical masculine)
tantìn (possessed-form)


laita

laitā̀ f (plural laitōcī, possessed form laitàr̃)

laitā̀ (canonical feminine)
laitōcī (plural)
laitàr̃ (possessed-form)


curi

cūrī̀ (canonical masculine)
cūrìn (possessed-form)


salati

sàlātī̀ (canonical masculine)
sàlātìn (possessed-form)

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

(Islam) an invocation to God, like the shahada


bado

badṑ m (plural badṑ, possessed form badòn)

badṑ (canonical masculine)
badṑ (plural)
badòn (possessed-form)


tasi

tā̀sî (canonical feminine)
tā̀sîn (possessed-form)


soci

sōcì (canonical feminine)
sōcìn (possessed-form)


rafani

r̃āfā̀nī m (plural r̃ā̀fā̀nai, possessed form r̃āfā̀nin)

r̃āfā̀nī (canonical masculine)
r̃ā̀fā̀nai (plural)
r̃āfā̀nin (possessed-form)

[ráː.ɸàː.níː]


lardi

lar̃dī̀ m (plural lar̃dunā̀, possessed form lar̃dìn)

lar̃dī̀ (canonical masculine)
lar̃dunā̀ (plural)
lar̃dìn (possessed-form)

From Kanuri [Term?], from Arabic اَلْأَرْض (al-ʔarḍ, “the earth”).


gado

gadō m (plural gadā̀jē, possessed form gadon)

gadō (canonical masculine)
gadā̀jē (plural)
gadon (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: gando

Blench considers this to be derived from a Plateau Benue-Congo word for "mud bed"; compare Berom gwāt (plural gat).


marini

marìnī (canonical masculine)
marìnin (possessed-form)

[mə́.ɽɪ̀.níː]


sani

Cognate with Egyptian swn and Proto-Berber *sin-


lori

lōr̃ī̀ (canonical feminine)
lōr̃ìn (possessed-form)


tuwo

tuwō (canonical masculine)
tuwon (possessed-form)

→ Akan: tuo

→ Yoruba: túwó

→ English: tuwo

swallow or porridge, a category solid meals made from rice, corn or millet flour taken with a range of soups, akin to ugali or nshima


maita

mâitā (canonical feminine)
mâitar̃ (possessed-form)


maina

mainà (canonical masculine)
mainàn (possessed-form)


kalma

kalmā̀ f (plural kalmōmī, possessed form kalmàr̃)

kalmā̀ (canonical feminine)
kalmōmī (plural)
kalmàr̃ (possessed-form)


jihadi

jìhādī̀ (canonical masculine)
jìhādìn (possessed-form)
jàhādī̀ (alternative)

[d͡ʒɪ̀.háː.dìː]


sarka

sàr̃kā (canonical feminine)
sàr̃kar̃ (possessed-form)


taru

tārū m (plural tārunā̀, possessed form tārun)

tārū (canonical masculine)
tārunā̀ (plural)
tārun (possessed-form)


sanata

sanatā̀ m (plural sanatōcī, possessed form sanatàn)

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


lasin

lāsìn (canonical masculine)
lasisi (alternative)

license, licence (especially a driver's license / driving licence)


gona

gōnā f (plural gṑnàkī, possessed form gōnar̃)

gōnā (canonical feminine)
gṑnàkī (plural)
gōnar̃ (possessed-form)


mena

mēnā̀ (canonical feminine)
mēnàr̃ (possessed-form)


laima

laimā̀ f (plural laimōmī, possessed form laimàr̃)

laimā̀ (canonical feminine)
laimōmī (plural)
laimàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Kanuri lăimà, from Arabic خَيْمَة (ḵayma).


laima

laimā̀ (canonical feminine)
laimàr̃ (possessed-form)


kwal

Borrowed from French col. Doublet of kwala.


metso

mḕtsō (canonical masculine)
mḕtson (possessed-form)


salga

salgā (canonical feminine)
salgar̃ (possessed-form)


tilo

tī̀lō (canonical masculine)
tī̀lon (possessed-form)


mussa

mussā̀ (canonical feminine)
mussàr̃ (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: músùn

→ Yoruba: músù

An areal word, presumably of imitative origin. Compare Zarma múusú, Soninke muus, Tamahaq mušš.


tana

tānā (canonical feminine)
tānar̃ (possessed-form)

(dialectal, chiefly anatomy) membrane covering a body part

(dialectal) thin, sometimes crispy skin (e.g., on roasted chicken)


daga

dagā f (plural dagā̀gē, possessed form dagar̃)

dagā (canonical feminine)
dagā̀gē (plural)
dagar̃ (possessed-form)

bangle-charm (worn on the upper arm or wrist)


daga

dāgā (canonical feminine)
dāgar̃ (possessed-form)


boka

bōkā m (feminine bōkanyā̀, plural bōkā̀ye, possessed form bōkan)

bōkā (canonical masculine)
bōkanyā̀ (feminine)
bōkā̀ye (plural)
bōkan (possessed-form)


hutsu

head

hūtsū (feminine hūtsuwā, plural hūtsā̀yē)

hūtsū (canonical)
hūtsuwā (feminine)
hūtsā̀yē (plural)


hutsu

ha-noun

hūtsū m (feminine hūtsuwā, plural hūtsā̀yē, possessed form hūtsun)

hūtsū (canonical masculine)
hūtsuwā (feminine)
hūtsā̀yē (plural)
hūtsun (possessed-form)


fita

fìtā (canonical feminine)
fìtar̃ (possessed-form)


datti

dàtti (canonical masculine)
dàttin (possessed-form)


kada

kadā m (plural kàdànnī, possessed form kadan)

kadā (canonical masculine)
kàdànnī (plural)
kadan (possessed-form)

From Proto-Chadic *kdm. Cognate with Mangas kyoor, Tal ƙut, Mwaghavul kut, Miship korom, Ngizim kar̃am, Karekare kàràm, Bura ngə̀lə̀m, Duwai kə̀dəm, Ngamo kàdâm, Bole kadàm, Zulgo-Gemzek kə̀rəm, Kirya-Konzel hə̀lə́mə́, Bana kə́lə́mbə́, Mbuko gə̀dàm, Miya kìyim, Uldeme khiyinna.


sako

sàkō m (plural sàkànnī, possessed form sàkon)

sàkō (canonical masculine)
sàkànnī (plural)
sàkon (possessed-form)


komo

kōmō (canonical masculine)
kōmon (possessed-form)

A large lute, generally played for hunters.


romo

rōmō (canonical masculine)
rōmon (possessed-form)
رُومُو (alternative)


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).


gasa

gā̀sā (canonical feminine)
gā̀sar̃ (possessed-form)


tuntu

tuntū m (plural tuntā̀yē, possessed form tuntun)

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

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


lacca

laccā̀ f (plural laccōcī, possessed form laccàr̃)

laccā̀ (canonical feminine)
laccōcī (plural)
laccàr̃ (possessed-form)

/lát͡ʃ.t͡ʃàː/


zaiti

zaitī̀ (canonical masculine)
zaitìn (possessed-form)


iblis

ìblîs (canonical masculine)
ìblīshìn (possessed-form)
ìbìlîs (alternative)


saye

sàyē m (plural sàyē-sàyē, possessed form sàyen)

sàyē (canonical masculine)
sàyē-sàyē (plural)
sàyen (possessed-form)


saye

sā̀yē (canonical masculine)
sā̀yen (possessed-form)

Speaking in a way such as to hide the meaning from a listener.


kaza

kā̀zā f (plural kā̀jī, possessed form kā̀zar̃)

kā̀zā (canonical feminine)
kā̀jī (plural)
kā̀zar̃ (possessed-form)

Of unclear origin. Clear cognates of the same meaning within Chadic (e.g. Karekare kyéézì, Bade kâzá, Ngizim gā̂za, Ngamo gā̀zâ, Bole gājà, Duwai kīzhìya) may be the result of diffusion, rather than inheritance. Perhaps borrowed from Kanuri kájì (“guinea fowl”) or a Berber language, e.g. Tamasheq ékăz (“rooster”).


dinya

dinyā (canonical feminine)
dinyar̃ (possessed-form)


feda

fēdā̀ f (plural fēdōjī, possessed form fēdàr̃)

fēdā̀ (canonical feminine)
fēdōjī (plural)
fēdàr̃ (possessed-form)


tifa

tīfā̀ f (plural tīfōfī, possessed form tīfàr̃)

tīfā̀ (canonical feminine)
tīfōfī (plural)
tīfàr̃ (possessed-form)


mesin

mēsìn (canonical masculine)
mēsinōnī (plural)


shiru

shirū (canonical masculine)
shirun (possessed-form)


annabi

ànnabī̀ m (plural annabāwā, possessed form ànnabìn)

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

→ Yoruba: ànábì


laka

lakā (canonical feminine)
lakar̃ (possessed-form)


laka

lākā (canonical feminine)
lākar̃ (possessed-form)

Pond mud or clay (used for building houses)


sara

sā̀rā (canonical feminine)
sā̀rar̃ (possessed-form)


soja

sōjà m (plural sōjojī, possessed form sōjàn)

sōjà (canonical masculine)
sōjojī (plural)
sōjàn (possessed-form)


baya

bāyā (canonical masculine)
bāyan (possessed-form)


ladan

lā̀dân (canonical masculine)
lā̀dā̀nai (plural)
ladani (alternative)

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


hanta

hantā̀ f (plural hantōcī or hantunā̀, possessed form hantàr̃)

hantā̀ (canonical feminine)
hantōcī (plural)
hantunā̀ (plural)
hantàr̃ (possessed-form)
antā̀ (alternative)


marke

markē (canonical masculine)
marken (possessed-form)


azahar

àzahàr̃ (canonical feminine)
azahariyya (alternative)


ilmi

ilmî (canonical masculine)
îlmī (canonical masculine)
ilmîn (possessed-form)
îlmin (possessed-form)


kanki

kankī̀ (canonical masculine)
kankìn (possessed-form)


wuski

wuskī m (plural wusā̀kē, possessed form wuskin)

wuskī (canonical masculine)
wusā̀kē (plural)
wuskin (possessed-form)


wuski

wuskī̀ (canonical feminine)
wuskìn (possessed-form)


hadda

haddā̀ (canonical feminine)
haddàr̃ (possessed-form)


Mustapha

[mʊ́s.tə̀.ɸáː]

bor

Arabic مُصْطَفَى (muṣṭafā)


holo

hōlṑ (canonical masculine)
hōlòn (possessed-form)


rimi

ha-noun

rīmī m (plural rīmā̀yē, possessed form rīmin)

rīmī (canonical masculine)
rīmā̀yē (plural)
rīmin (possessed-form)

Cognate with Duwai rīmi (“kapok tree”), Ngizim rimi (“kapok tree”).


wani

head

wani m (feminine wata, plural wasu, alternate plural waɗansu)


randa

ha-noun

ràndā f (plural randunā̀, possessed form ràndar̃)

ràndā (canonical feminine)
randunā̀ (plural)
ràndar̃ (possessed-form)


turare

tùrā̀rē (canonical masculine)
tùrā̀ren (possessed-form)

→ Yoruba: tùràrí

/tù.ɽàː.ɽéː/

[tɪ̀.ɽàː.ɽéː]


yari

yàrī m (plural yàrī, possessed form yàrin)

yàrī (canonical masculine)
yàrī (plural)
yàrin (possessed-form)


gari

gàrī m (plural garūruwā̀, possessed form gàrin)

gàrī (canonical masculine)
garūruwā̀ (plural)
gàrin (possessed-form)

→ Tal: garii


gari

gā̀rī (canonical masculine)
gā̀rin (possessed-form)


adire

àdìr̃e (canonical masculine)
àdìr̃en (possessed-form)


sarki

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

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


sanda

sànda m or f (plural sandunā̀, possessed form sàndan)

sànda (canonical feminine masculine)
sandunā̀ (plural)
sàndan (possessed-form)

unit used to measure cloth (about 1 meter)


takila

tākìlà (canonical masculine)
tākìlàn (possessed-form)


kasko

kaskō m (plural kasā̀kē, possessed form kaskon)

kaskō (canonical masculine)
kasā̀kē (plural)
kaskon (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.


masaya

masayā (canonical feminine)
masayar̃ (possessed-form)


masaya

masāyā (canonical feminine)
masāyar̃ (possessed-form)


aure

aurē m (plural auràrrakī or àure-àure, possessed form auren)

aurē (canonical masculine)
auràrrakī (plural)
àure-àure (plural)
auren (possessed-form)

→ Saya: awre


aibu

aibù m (plural aibōbī, possessed form aibùn)

aibù (canonical masculine)
aibōbī (plural)
aibùn (possessed-form)
aibì (alternative)

From Arabic عَيْب (ʕayb). Doublet of lâifī.


addini

àddīnī̀ m (plural àddī̀nai, possessed form àddīnìn)

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

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


edita

ha-noun

edità m (plural editōcī, possessed form editàn)

edità (canonical masculine)
editōcī (plural)
editàn (possessed-form)

[ʔɛ́.dɪ́.tə̀]


kaca

kacā̀ (canonical feminine)
kacàr̃ (possessed-form)


kofi

kōfī̀ m (plural kōfunā̀, possessed form kōfìn)

kōfī̀ (canonical masculine)
kōfunā̀ (plural)
kōfìn (possessed-form)


kofi

kṑfī (canonical masculine)
kṑfin (possessed-form)
kafe (alternative)


gitta

gittā̀ f (plural gittōcī, possessed form gittàr̃)

gittā̀ (canonical feminine)
gittōcī (plural)
gittàr̃ (possessed-form)


gabas

gabàs (canonical feminine)
gabàshin (possessed-form)
gabàr̃ (alternative)

→ Yoruba: gábásì


reza

r̃ēzā̀ f (plural r̃ēzōjī, possessed form r̃ēzàr̃)

r̃ēzā̀ (canonical feminine)
r̃ēzōjī (plural)
r̃ēzàr̃ (possessed-form)


asara

àsār̃ā̀ f (plural asār̃ōr̃ī, possessed form àsār̃àr̃)

àsār̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
asār̃ōr̃ī (plural)
àsār̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔà.sáː.ràː/

[ʔà.sáː.ràː]


dala

dalā̀ f (plural dalōlī, possessed form dalàr̃)

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

Any of various currencies known as dollars or thalers.


dala

dā̀la (canonical feminine)
dā̀lar̃ (possessed-form)


tusa

tūsā̀ (canonical feminine)
tūsàr̃ (possessed-form)


kango

kangō m (plural kangā̀yē, possessed form kangon)

kangō (canonical masculine)
kangā̀yē (plural)
kangon (possessed-form)


zina

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

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


shadda

shaddā̀ (canonical feminine)
shaddàr̃ (possessed-form)


shadda

Borrowed from Arabic شَدَّة (šadda, “strengthening”).

shadda (gemination diacritic in Arabic script)


shadda

shâddā f (plural shaddōdī, possessed form shâddar̃)

shâddā (canonical feminine)
shaddōdī (plural)
shâddar̃ (possessed-form)


kanar

kanàr̃ (canonical masculine)
kanàr̃-kanàr̃ (plural)


wahala

wàhalā̀ f (plural wahalōcī or wàhàlce-wàhàlce or wàhàlhàlū, possessed form wàhalàr̃)

wàhalā̀ (canonical feminine)
wahalōcī (plural)
wàhàlce-wàhàlce (plural)
wàhàlhàlū (plural)
wàhalàr̃ (possessed-form)

desctree

→ Yoruba: wàhálà, وَهَلَ, wàálà
→ Krio: wahala
→ Nigerian Pidgin: wahala

From Arabic وَهْلَة (wahla, “fright, terror”).


hoto

hṑtō (canonical masculine)
hṑton (possessed-form)


waha

wahā̀ (canonical feminine)
wahàr̃ (possessed-form)


mishi

mishī (canonical masculine)
mishin (possessed-form)


yawa

yawā̀ (canonical masculine)
yawàn (possessed-form)


agogo

ha-noun

àgōgo m (plural àgṑgai or agōgunā̀, possessed form àgōgon)

àgōgo (canonical masculine)
àgṑgai (plural)
agōgunā̀ (plural)
àgōgon (possessed-form)

[ʔà.ɡʷóː.ɡʷó]


fatsi

head

fatsī (feminine fatsā, plural fatsā̀tsē)

fatsī (canonical)
fatsā (feminine)
fatsā̀tsē (plural)


zuma

zumā̀ (canonical masculine)
zumàn (possessed-form)


dage

dagē (canonical masculine)
dagen (possessed-form)


ridda

r̃iddā (canonical feminine)
r̃iddar̃ (possessed-form)


zomo

ha-noun

zōmō m (plural zōmā̀yē, possessed form zōmon)

zōmō (canonical masculine)
zōmā̀yē (plural)
zōmon (possessed-form)

An areal word, quite likely a borrowing from a Benue-Congo root zo-; compare Horom ǹzòm, Cara iʒum, and especially Lela zomo. Cognate with Mangas zwom, Polci zom.


miski

miskī̀ (canonical masculine)
miskìn (possessed-form)


lafi

lāfī̀ (canonical masculine)
lāfìn (possessed-form)


inna

innà (canonical feminine)
innàr̃ (possessed-form)

A polite term of address for any older woman.

(Hausa animistic religion) royal priestess


teku

tḕku (canonical feminine)
tḕkun (possessed-form)


wili

wīlī̀ m (plural wīlōlī or wīlunā̀ or wīlukā̀, possessed form wīlìn)

wīlī̀ (canonical masculine)
wīlōlī (plural)
wīlunā̀ (plural)
wīlukā̀ (plural)
wīlìn (possessed-form)


miji

mijī̀ m (plural mazā or mazā̀jē, possessed form mijìn)

mijī̀ (canonical masculine)
mazā (plural)
mazā̀jē (plural)
mijìn (possessed-form)


mako

mākṑ m (plural mā̀kwànnī or mākṑ-mākṑ, possessed form mākòn)

mākṑ (canonical masculine)
mā̀kwànnī (plural)
mākṑ-mākṑ (plural)
mākòn (possessed-form)

Probably borrowed from Kanuri mágə̀ (“week”).


Asiya

[ʔáː.sɪ́.jɛ̀]

Asia (the largest continent, located between Europe and the Pacific Ocean)


mazo

mā̀zō (canonical masculine)
mā̀zon (possessed-form)


daraja

dar̃ajā̀ f (plural dar̃ajōjī, possessed form dar̃ajàr̃)

dar̃ajā̀ (canonical feminine)
dar̃ajōjī (plural)
dar̃ajàr̃ (possessed-form)

[də́.rə́.d͡ʒàː]


jarida

jàr̃īdā̀ f (plural jàr̃īdū, possessed form jàr̃īdàr̃)

jàr̃īdā̀ (canonical feminine)
jàr̃īdū (plural)
jàr̃īdàr̃ (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒə̀.ríː.dàː]


kaiwa

kaiwā (canonical feminine)
kaiwar̃ (possessed-form)

A gift requiring a return gift at a later date.


idda

iddā̀ (canonical feminine)
iddàr̃ (possessed-form)

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


gawa

gāwā (canonical feminine)
gāwar̃ (possessed-form)


alhaji

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

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

→ 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)


masara

masàr̃ā (canonical feminine)
masàr̃ar̃ (possessed-form)

Shortened from dāwàr̃ Masàr̃ (“Egyptian sorghum”), attested in the 19th century. Doublet of Masàr̃.


Maka

Makà (canonical feminine)
Makkà (alternative)

→ Nupe: Mákàn


ofis

ōfìs m (plural ōfisōshī, possessed form ōfìshin)

ōfìs (canonical masculine)
ōfisōshī (plural)
ōfìshin (possessed-form)


malami

mālàmī m (feminine mālàmā, plural mā̀làmai, possessed form mālàmin)

mālàmī (canonical masculine)
mālàmā (feminine)
mā̀làmai (plural)
mālàmin (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: málàmi, málàm̄, máǹ

Borrowed from Kanuri málə̀m (“scholar”), from Arabic مُعَلِم (muʕalim, “teacher”).


zama

zamā (canonical masculine)
zaman (possessed-form)


dokta

doktā̀ (canonical feminine masculine)
doktàn (possessed-form)

doctor (used as a title for someone with a doctorate)


dawa

dāwā̀ f (plural dāwōyī, possessed form dāwàr̃)

dāwā̀ (canonical feminine)
dāwōyī (plural)
dāwàr̃ (possessed-form)


dawa

dawà (canonical masculine)
dawàn (possessed-form)


ajali

ajàlī (canonical masculine)
ajàlin (possessed-form)

[ʔá.d͡ʒə̀.líː]


asali

asalī m (plural àsàlai, possessed form asalin)

asalī (canonical masculine)
àsàlai (plural)
asalin (possessed-form)

[ʔá.sə́.líː]


jinsi

jinsī̀ (canonical masculine)
jinsìn (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒɪ́n.sìː]


fitina

fìtinā̀ f (plural fìtìnū, possessed form fìtinàr̃)

fìtinā̀ (canonical feminine)
fìtìnū (plural)
fìtinàr̃ (possessed-form)

[ɸɪ̀.tɪ́.nàː]


waziri

wàzīr̃ì, wàzīr̃ī̀

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

a traditional title for a ruling official


sauti

sautī̀ (canonical masculine)
sautìn (possessed-form)


kabila

kàbīlā̀ f (plural kàbī̀lū, possessed form kàbīlàr̃)

kàbīlā̀ (canonical feminine)
kàbī̀lū (plural)
kàbīlàr̃ (possessed-form)


hasara

hàsār̃ā̀ f (plural hasār̃ōr̃ī, possessed form hàsār̃àr̃)

hàsār̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
hasār̃ōr̃ī (plural)
hàsār̃àr̃ (possessed-form)
àsār̃ā̀ (alternative)


sukari

sukàr̃ī (canonical masculine)
sukàr̃in (possessed-form)


diwani

dīwānī̀ m (plural dī̀wā̀nai, possessed form dīwānìn)

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


alama

àlāmā̀ f (plural alāmōmī or àlā̀mū, possessed form àlāmàr̃)

àlāmā̀ (canonical feminine)
alāmōmī (plural)
àlā̀mū (plural)
àlāmàr̃ (possessed-form)
hàlāmā̀ (alternative)

/ʔà.láː.màː/

[ʔà.láː.màː]

mark (indication for reference or measurement)


wakili

wàkīlī̀ m (plural wàkī̀lai, possessed form wàkīlìn)

wàkīlī̀ (canonical masculine)
wàkī̀lai (plural)
wàkīlìn (possessed-form)


taswira

tā̀swīr̃ā̀ f (plural tāswīr̃ōr̃ī, possessed form tā̀swīr̃àr̃)

tā̀swīr̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
tāswīr̃ōr̃ī (plural)
tā̀swīr̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic تَصْوِيرَة (taṣwīra).


falsafa

falsafā̀ (canonical feminine)
falsafàr̃ (possessed-form)

[ɸál.sə́.ɸàː]

Borrowed from Arabic فَلْسَفَة (falsafa), from Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophía).


kambi

kambī (canonical masculine)
kambin (possessed-form)


kafiri

kāfìr̃ī m (feminine kāfìr̃ā, plural kā̀fìr̃ai, possessed form kāfìr̃in)

kāfìr̃ī (canonical masculine)
kāfìr̃ā (feminine)
kā̀fìr̃ai (plural)
kāfìr̃in (possessed-form)

[káː.ɸɪ̀.ríː]


tajiri

tājìr̃ī m (feminine tājìr̃ā, plural tā̀jìr̃ai, possessed form tājìr̃in)

tājìr̃ī (canonical masculine)
tājìr̃ā (feminine)
tā̀jìr̃ai (plural)
tājìr̃in (possessed-form)

[táː.d͡ʒɪ̀.ríː]

Alternative form of àttājìr̃ī (“wealthy person”)


talaka

talàkà m or f (plural talakāwā, possessed form talàkàn)

talàkà (canonical feminine masculine)
talakāwā (plural)
talàkàn (possessed-form)

From a Berber language, e.g. Tamahaq taləqqe (“pauper”).

(often in pluralia tantum form) commoners, peasants, working class, proletariat


jini

jinī (canonical masculine)
jinin (possessed-form)


safa

sàfâ (canonical feminine)
sàfân (possessed-form)


safa

sā̀fā f (plural sā̀fànnī, possessed form sā̀far̃)

sā̀fā (canonical feminine)
sā̀fànnī (plural)
sā̀far̃ (possessed-form)


uzuri

uzùr̃ī (canonical masculine)
uzùr̃in (possessed-form)

[ʔʊ́.zɪ̀.ríː]


ciki

cikī̀ m (plural cikkunā̀, possessed form cikìn)

cikī̀ (canonical masculine)
cikkunā̀ (plural)
cikìn (possessed-form)


mizani

mīzānī̀ (canonical masculine)
mīzānìn (possessed-form)


tuni

tunī̀ (canonical masculine)
tunìn (possessed-form)


somi

sōmī̀ (canonical masculine)
sōmìn (possessed-form)


sahani

sàhānī̀ m (plural sàhā̀nai, possessed form sàhānìn)

sàhānī̀ (canonical masculine)
sàhā̀nai (plural)
sàhānìn (possessed-form)

From Maghrebi Arabic صْحَان (ṣḥān), plural of صَحْن (ṣaḥn).

bor

Arabic صْحَان (ṣḥān)


shuka

ha-noun

shūkā̀ f (plural shū̀ke shū̀ke, possessed form shūkàr̃)

shūkā̀ (canonical feminine)
shū̀ke shū̀ke (plural)
shūkàr̃ (possessed-form)


Ɓ

The third letter of the Hausa alphabet, written in the Latin script. Preceded by B and followed by C, and representing /ɓ/.


Ɗ

The sixth letter of the Hausa alphabet, written in the Latin script. Preceded by D and followed by E, and representing /ɗ/.


Yunan

Borrowed from Arabic اَلْيُونَان (al-yūnān).

Southeast Europe
Southeast Europe#English


haji

hajì (canonical masculine)
hajìn (possessed-form)


notis

nōtìs (canonical masculine)
nōtisōshī (plural)


lemo

lḕmō m (plural lēmunā̀, possessed form lḕmon)

lḕmō (canonical masculine)
lēmunā̀ (plural)
lḕmon (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: lèmú

Apparently from Arabic لَيْمُون (laymūn), although Blench notes that the fruit itself may well have been introduced from the south.


iko

īkṑ (canonical masculine)
īkòn (possessed-form)


Wagadugu

[wə̀.ɡə̀.dɪ́.ɡʷʊ̀]

Ouagadougou (the capital city of Burkina Faso)


imani

īmānī̀ (canonical masculine)
īmānìn (possessed-form)

/ʔíː.máː.nìː/

[ʔíː.máː.nìː]

bor

Arabic إِيمَان (ʔīmān)


darma

dar̃mā̀ (canonical feminine)
dar̃màr̃ (possessed-form)


kuɗi

ha-noun

kuɗī m (plural kuɗaɗe, possessed form kuɗin)

kuɗī (canonical masculine)
kuɗaɗe (plural)
kuɗin (possessed-form)


baho

bāhṑ (canonical masculine)
bāhòn (possessed-form)


zaitun

zàitûn (canonical masculine)
zàitûn (plural)


ƙ

Ảả Ẳẳ Ẩẩ Ɓɓ Ƈƈ Ɗɗ ᶑ Ẻẻ Ƒƒ Ɠɠ ɦ Ỉỉ Ƙƙ ᶆ Ɱɱ Ỏỏ Ởở Ƥƥ ʠ Ƭƭ Ủủ Ửử Ʋʋ Ⱳⱳ Ƴƴ Ỷỷ


Ƴ

(Niger) A letter of the Hausa alphabet, written in the Latin script..


labari

lā̀bār̃ī̀ m (plural lā̀bā̀r̃u or lā̀bā̀r̃ai, possessed form lā̀bār̃ìn)

lā̀bār̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
lā̀bā̀r̃u (plural)
lā̀bā̀r̃ai (plural)
lā̀bār̃ìn (possessed-form)


siket

sìkêt (canonical masculine)
sìkêt-sìkêt (plural)


Yamal

Yemen (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East)


dabo

dabṑ (canonical masculine)
dabòn (possessed-form)

A child's first attempts at standing up.


danda

dànda (canonical masculine)
dàndan (possessed-form)


taure

taurḕ m (plural tâurā, possessed form taurèn)

taurḕ (canonical masculine)
tâurā (plural)
taurèn (possessed-form)


coci

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

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

→ Yoruba: ṣọọṣi

/t͡ʃóː.t͡ʃì/

[t͡ʃóː.t͡ʃɪ̀]


fure

fùrē m (plural fùrànnī, possessed form fùren)

fùrē (canonical masculine)
fùrànnī (plural)
fùren (possessed-form)


limam

lī̀mâm (canonical masculine)
lī̀mā̀mai (plural)


omo

ōmṑ (canonical masculine)
ōmòn (possessed-form)

From OMO, a brand of detergent sold by the company Unilever.


mutum

mùtûm m (feminine mùtūnìyā, plural mutā̀nē)

mùtûm (canonical masculine)
mùtūnìyā (feminine)
mutā̀nē (plural)


soye

sṑyē (canonical masculine)
sṑyen (possessed-form)


wada

wàdā (canonical feminine)
wàdar̃ (possessed-form)


wada

wā̀dā (canonical feminine masculine)
wā̀dan (possessed-form)


uku

Cognate with Bura kwan, Goemai kun, Beele kunu, Bole kúnūː, Kirfi kúnū, Galambu kūːn, Gera kùnú, Deno kúnú, Duwai kô, Ngamo kùnû, Karekare kūnù, Tal ƙún.


fusata

[ɸʊ́.sàː.táː]

[ɸʊ̀.sáː.tə̀]


fusata

[ɸʊ́.sàː.táː]

[ɸʊ̀.sáː.tə̀]


baffa

baffà m (plural bàffànnī, possessed form baffàn)

baffà (canonical masculine)
bàffànnī (plural)
baffàn (possessed-form)
bappa (alternative)

From Fula bappa (“father's younger brother”).


jace

jā̀cē (canonical masculine)
jā̀cen (possessed-form)

/(d)ʒàː.t͡ʃéː/

[d͡ʒàː.t͡ʃéː]


bisa

bisā f (plural bísā̀shē, possessed form bisar̃)

bisā (canonical feminine)
bísā̀shē (plural)
bisar̃ (possessed-form)


agade

àgàdè m (plural àgàdè, possessed form àgàdèn)

àgàdè (canonical masculine)
àgàdè (plural)
àgàdèn (possessed-form)


magani

māgànī m (plural māgungunā̀, possessed form māgànin)

māgànī (canonical masculine)
māgungunā̀ (plural)
māgànin (possessed-form)


mowa

mōwā̀ (canonical feminine)
mōwàr̃ (possessed-form)


jugum

[d͡ʒɪ̀.ɡʷʊ́m]


miki

mīkì (canonical masculine)
mīkìn (possessed-form)


Oktoba

[ʔɔ̀k.tóː.bàː]


jiki

jìkī m (plural jìkunā̀, possessed form jìkin)

jìkī (canonical masculine)
jìkunā̀ (plural)
jìkin (possessed-form)


wali

wālī (canonical masculine)
wālin (possessed-form)


wali

wàlî (canonical masculine)
wàlîn (possessed-form)

→ Yoruba: wòlíì


jeri

jērī̀ (canonical masculine)
jērìn (possessed-form)

/(d)ʒéː.ɽìː/


sabo

head

sābō (feminine sābuwā, plural sā̀bàbbī or sàbbī)

sābō (canonical)
sābuwā (feminine)
sā̀bàbbī (plural)
sàbbī (plural)


bauta

bàutā (canonical feminine)
bàutar̃ (possessed-form)


gemu

gēmū̀ (canonical masculine)
gēmùn (possessed-form)


bukka

ha-noun

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.


Isa

bor

Arabic عِيسَى (ʕīsā)

Jesus (a prophet in Islam, regarded as the son of God in Christianity)

a male given name, equivalent to English Jesus


kurma

ha-noun

kurmā m or f (plural kurā̀mē, possessed form kurman)

kurmā (canonical feminine masculine)
kurā̀mē (plural)
kurman (possessed-form)


kudaku

kūdaku (canonical)
kūdàkū (canonical masculine)

→ Chamba Daka: kudaku

→ Epie: kukuduku

→ Fula: kudaku

→ Igbo: kukundùkú (Onitsha dialect)

→ Izon: kúkúndùkú (Kolokuma dialect)

→ Kanuri: kúnduwú

→ Nupe: dùkú

→ Perema: kùdákúa

→ Southeast Ijo: kukunduku (Nembe dialect)

→ Tarok: a-kǝtǝku

→ Yoruba: kúkúndùkú


kotu

kōtù m (plural kōtunā̀, possessed form kōtùn)

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


Kano

Kano (a state of Nigeria in the North West geopolitical zone)

Kano (a city, the state capital of Kano State, Nigeria)


saiwa

sâiwā f (plural sāiwōwī, possessed form sâiwar̃)

sâiwā (canonical feminine)
sāiwōwī (plural)
sâiwar̃ (possessed-form)


aljan

àljan m (feminine àljanā, plural àljanū)

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

→ Yoruba: alujọnnu


haila

hailā̀ (canonical feminine)
hailàr̃ (possessed-form)


karama

kàr̃āmā̀ f (plural kar̃āmōmī, possessed form kàr̃āmàr̃)

kàr̃āmā̀ (canonical feminine)
kar̃āmōmī (plural)
kàr̃āmàr̃ (possessed-form)


malama

mālàmā (canonical feminine)
mālàmar̃ (possessed-form)


hazo

hazō (canonical masculine)
hazon (possessed-form)


latsa

to pressure someone regarding a difficult matter


kankana

kankanā (canonical feminine)
kankanar̃ (possessed-form)


dauro

dàurō (canonical masculine)
dàuron (possessed-form)

a long-season, photoperiod sensitive variety of pearl millet


ayu

àyū (canonical masculine)
àyun (possessed-form)

manatee, (in particular) the African manatee


ra'i

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


rairai

ràirai (canonical masculine)
ràiran (possessed-form)


giya

giyā̀ (canonical feminine)
giyàr̃ (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).


giwa

gīwā f (plural gīwā̀yē, possessed form gīwar̃)

gīwā (canonical feminine)
gīwā̀yē (plural)
gīwar̃ (possessed-form)

From Proto-West-Chadic *giw-. Cognate with Duwai gī̀wən, Bura cuwar, Karekare ùwan, Ngamo yàwàn, Bole yàuno, Miya yàwun, Wandala guwe, Matal gawan, Glavda gùna, Kirya-Konzel cùúnə́, Bana cìwə̀.


bif

Alternative form of tîk (“something heavy falling”)


cif

(of numbers or money) complete, fully counted


sa'a

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

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


sa'a

sa'ā̀ m or f (plural sa'ō'ī, possessed form sa'àn)

sa'ā̀ (canonical feminine masculine)
sa'ō'ī (plural)
sa'àn (possessed-form)


lalo

lālṑ (canonical masculine)
lālòn (possessed-form)


Kaduna

From kadunnā̀, an obsolete plural of kadā (“crocodile”).

Kaduna (a state of Nigeria in the North West geopolitical zone)

Kaduna (a city, the state capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria)


gaula

gaulā m or f (plural gaulā̀yē, possessed form gaulan)

gaulā (canonical feminine masculine)
gaulā̀yē (plural)
gaulan (possessed-form)


gadu

gàdū (canonical masculine)
gàdun (possessed-form)

An areal word; compare Kanuri gòdú, Bana ŋgə̀rdə́.


gada

gadā̀ f (plural gadōdī, possessed form gadàr̃)

gadā̀ (canonical feminine)
gadōdī (plural)
gadàr̃ (possessed-form)


gada

gàdā f (plural gàdā, possessed form gàdar̃)

gàdā (canonical feminine)
gàdā (plural)
gàdar̃ (possessed-form)

(figuratively) One who is interested in or ostentatiously showing off something.


murza

mùrzā (canonical feminine)
mùrzar̃ (possessed-form)


murza

to roll strands of cotton between the palms to make thread


gulbi

gulbī m (plural gulā̀bē, possessed form gulbin)

gulbī (canonical masculine)
gulā̀bē (plural)
gulbin (possessed-form)


sirdi

sir̃dī̀ m (plural sir̃ā̀dā, possessed form sir̃dìn)

sir̃dī̀ (canonical masculine)
sir̃ā̀dā (plural)
sir̃dìn (possessed-form)

From Kanuri sǝrdu, ultimately from Arabic سَرْج (sarj). Cognate with Duwai sər̃dì.

(by extension) seat of a bicycle or motorcycle


zahiri

zāhìr̃ī (canonical masculine)
zāhìr̃in (possessed-form)


cuku

cukū (canonical masculine)
cukun (possessed-form)
cukwī (alternative)

[t͡ʃɪ́.kʷúː]

Unclear; if indeed shortened from earlier cukumā̀r̃ā̀, then plausibly a borrowing from Tuareg, e.g. Tawellemmet šikomaren, plural form of tăkommart (“cheese”).


bawa

bāwā̀ m (feminine bâiwā, plural bāyī, possessed form bāwàn)

bāwā̀ (canonical masculine)
bâiwā (feminine)
bāyī (plural)
bāwàn (possessed-form)


minista

ministà m (plural ministōcī, possessed form ministàn)

ministà (canonical masculine)
ministōcī (plural)
ministàn (possessed-form)


zara

zàrā (canonical feminine)
zàrar̃ (possessed-form)


zara

zā̀r̃ā (canonical feminine)
zā̀r̃ar̃ (possessed-form)


biza

bīzā̀ (canonical feminine)
bīzàr̃ (possessed-form)


ba-

A prefix indicating ethnic or geographical origin or, less often, someone's trade.


ma-

Cognate to the set of prefixes found in Arabic: مُ (mu) for agentive participles, مَ (ma) for locatives, and مِ (mi) for instrumentals.

Used to form nouns of place (locative nouns).


haddi

haddī̀ m (plural haddōdī, possessed form haddìn)

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

(Islam) A fixed punishment for violating Islamic law.


fashe

A children's game involving hitting eggs together to try to break the other person's egg


Abeokuta

Abeokuta (the largest city and state capital of Ogun State, Nigeria)


manjo

manjò m (plural manjōjī, possessed form manjòn)

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


Maiduguri

[mèi.dɪ́.ɡʷʊ̀.rɪ́]

Maiduguri (a city, the state capital of Borno State, Nigeria)


gatari

gā̀tarī m (plural gāturā̀, possessed form gā̀tarin)

gā̀tarī (canonical masculine)
gāturā̀ (plural)
gā̀tarin (possessed-form)

/ɡàː.tá.ɽíː/

[ɡàː.tə́.ɽíː]


makara

màkàrā (canonical feminine)
màkàrar̃ (possessed-form)

[mə̀.kə̀.ɽáː]


izni

iznī̀ (canonical masculine)
iznìn (possessed-form)


alatu

ālātù (canonical masculine)
ālātùn (possessed-form)

/ʔáː.láː.tù/

[ʔáː.láː.tɪ̀]


amsa

amsā̀ f (plural amsōshī, possessed form amsàr̃)

amsā̀ (canonical feminine)
amsōshī (plural)
amsàr̃ (possessed-form)


domin

because of, for the sake of, on behalf of


amale

amālè (canonical masculine)
amālèn (possessed-form)

From Tuareg ămali (“uncastrated bull camel”).

an adult male camel or donkey which is the leader of the herd


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.


goro

gōr̃ò m (plural gwâr̃r̃ā, possessed form gōr̃òn)

gōr̃ò (canonical masculine)
gwâr̃r̃ā (plural)
gōr̃òn (possessed-form)

From Kanuri góro; the ultimate origin is likely from Songhay.


abarba

àbàrbā (canonical feminine)
àbàrbar̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔà.bàɽ.báː/

[ʔà.bàɽ.báː]


miya

miyā̀ (canonical feminine)
miyàr̃ (possessed-form)

a kind of sauce or stew made with various meats and vegetables, eaten alongside tuwo


Adamu

[ʔàː.də̀.mʊ́]


tafsiri

tàfsīr̃ī̀ (canonical masculine)
tàfsīr̃ìn (possessed-form)

interpretation or commentary on the Qur'an


tano

tànô (canonical masculine)
tànôn (possessed-form)


gwaza

gwāzā (canonical feminine)
gwāzar̃ (possessed-form)

Colocasia esculenta
Colocasia esculenta#Translingual


gunda

gundā̀ f (plural gundōdī, possessed form gundàr̃)

gundā̀ (canonical feminine)
gundōdī (plural)
gundàr̃ (possessed-form)


oza

ōzā̀ (canonical masculine)
ōzàn (possessed-form)


sahihi

head

sàhīhī̀ (feminine sàhīhìyā, plural sàhī̀hai)

sàhīhī̀ (canonical)
sàhīhìyā (feminine)
sàhī̀hai (plural)

bor

Arabic صَحِيح (ṣaḥīḥ)


sahihi

ha-noun

sàhīhī̀ m (feminine sàhīhìyā, plural sàhī̀hai, possessed form sàhīhìn)

sàhīhī̀ (canonical masculine)
sàhīhìyā (feminine)
sàhī̀hai (plural)
sàhīhìn (possessed-form)

bor

Arabic صَحِيح (ṣaḥīḥ)


gafara

gāfar̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
gāfar̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

/ɡáː.fá.ràː/

[ɡáː.ɸə́.ràː]


gafara

/ɡáː.fá.ràː/

[ɡáː.ɸə́.ràː]


sagara

sā̀garā (canonical feminine)
sā̀garar̃ (possessed-form)

/sàː.ɡá.ɽáː/

[sàː.ɡə́.ɽáː]


yautai

(figuratively) A person who sleeps too much or too often.


shaho

ha-noun

shāhṑ m (plural shāhunā̀, possessed form shāhòn)

shāhṑ (canonical masculine)
shāhunā̀ (plural)
shāhòn (possessed-form)


mujiya

mūjìyā f (plural mūjiyōyī, possessed form mūjìyar̃)

mūjìyā (canonical feminine)
mūjiyōyī (plural)
mūjìyar̃ (possessed-form)

[múː.d͡ʒɪ̀.jáː]


awaza

àwazā̀ f (plural àwàzū, possessed form àwazàr̃)

àwazā̀ (canonical feminine)
àwàzū (plural)
àwazàr̃ (possessed-form)

[ʔà.wə́.zàː]


husufi

hùsūfī̀ (canonical masculine)
hùsūfìn (possessed-form)

[hʊ̀.súː.ɸìː]


murzani

mùr̃zānī̀ (canonical masculine)
mùr̃zānìn (possessed-form)
murjani (alternative)


Sham

From Arabic الشام (aš-šām, “the north”).

Syria (a country in West Asia, in the Middle East)

the Levant: Syria, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon


usur

usùr̃ (canonical masculine)
usur̃ōr̃ī (plural)


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)


sufana

sùfānā̀ f (plural sufānōnī, possessed form sùfānàr̃)

sùfānā̀ (canonical feminine)
sufānōnī (plural)
sùfānàr̃ (possessed-form)

[sɪ̀.ɸáː.nàː]


Cadi

Lake Chad (a freshwater lake at the junction of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon in Central Africa)


muhibba

mùhibbā̀ (canonical feminine)
mùhibbàr̃ (possessed-form)


ɗawisu

ɗāwīsù m (plural ɗā̀wìsai, possessed form ɗāwīsùn)

ɗāwīsù (canonical masculine)
ɗā̀wìsai (plural)
ɗāwīsùn (possessed-form)

/ɗáː.wíː.sù/

[ɗáː.wíː.sɪ̀]

Ultimately from Arabic طَاوُوس (ṭāwūs), although the vowel change is irregular. Possibly from the plural form طَوَاوِيسُ (ṭawāwīsu).

der

Arabic طَاوُوس (ṭāwūs)


nahawu

nahawū̀ (canonical masculine)
nahawùn (possessed-form)


nahiya

ha-noun

nāhiyā̀ f (plural nāhiyōyī, possessed form nāhiyàr̃)

nāhiyā̀ (canonical feminine)
nāhiyōyī (plural)
nāhiyàr̃ (possessed-form)


warƙa

war̃ƙā̀ f (plural war̃ƙōƙī, possessed form war̃ƙàr̃)

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


Jamus

[d͡ʒáː.mʊ̀s]

Germany (a country in Central Europe, formed in 1949 as West Germany, with its provisional capital Bonn until 1990, when it incorporated East Germany)


wuya

wuyā̀ m (plural wuyōyī, possessed form wuyàn)

wuyā̀ (canonical masculine)
wuyōyī (plural)
wuyàn (possessed-form)

Cognate with Polci yuwar, Ngizim wùra, Bura wìlà, Kariya wír, Kushi wèːrè, Sha woú, Ron là.


wuya

wùyā (canonical feminine)
wùyar̃ (possessed-form)


Turai

Europe (a continent located west of Asia and north of Africa)


tsere

tsēre (canonical masculine)
tsēren (possessed-form)


tambaya

tàmbayā̀ f (plural tambayōyī, possessed form tàmbayàr̃)

tàmbayā̀ (canonical feminine)
tambayōyī (plural)
tàmbayàr̃ (possessed-form)


kucaki

kùcākī m (feminine kùcākā, plural kùcā̀kai, possessed form kùcākin)

kùcākī (canonical masculine)
kùcākā (feminine)
kùcā̀kai (plural)
kùcākin (possessed-form)

/kù.t͡ʃáː.kíː/

[kʷʊ̀.t͡ʃáː.cíː]


kucaki

head

kùcākī (feminine kùcākā, plural kùcā̀kai)

kùcākī (canonical)
kùcākā (feminine)
kùcā̀kai (plural)

/kù.t͡ʃáː.kíː/

[kʷʊ̀.t͡ʃáː.cíː]


nasara

ha-noun

nasar̃ā̀ f (plural nasar̃ōr̃ī, possessed form nasar̃àr̃)

nasar̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
nasar̃ōr̃ī (plural)
nasar̃àr̃ (possessed-form)


nasara

nasār̃ā̀ (canonical plural)
nasār̃àn (possessed-form)
nasaru (alternative)

bor

Arabic نَصَارَى (naṣārā)


hamayya

hàmayyā̀ (canonical feminine)
hàmayyàr̃ (possessed-form)


Farisa

[ɸáː.rɪ́.sə̀]


hamila

ha-noun

hàmīlā̀ f (plural hàmī̀lū, possessed form hàmīlàr̃)

hàmīlā̀ (canonical feminine)
hàmī̀lū (plural)
hàmīlàr̃ (possessed-form)


halaka

hàlakā̀ (canonical feminine)
hàlakàr̃ (possessed-form)


ƙuli-ƙuli

ƙulī-ƙulī (canonical masculine)
ƙulī-ƙulin (possessed-form)

[kʷʼʊ́.líː.kʷʼʊ́.líː]

deep-fried peanut balls or sticks (a traditional West African snack)


fasfo

fàsfô m (plural fasfunā̀, possessed form fàsfôn)

fàsfô (canonical masculine)
fasfunā̀ (plural)
fàsfôn (possessed-form)


aduwa

aduwā̀ f (plural aduwōyī, possessed form aduwàr̃)

aduwā̀ (canonical feminine)
aduwōyī (plural)
aduwàr̃ (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: ádúwaci

[ʔá.dʊ́.wàː]


hasafi

hasàfī m (plural hàsàfai, possessed form hasàfin)

hasàfī (canonical masculine)
hàsàfai (plural)
hasàfin (possessed-form)

[há.sə̀.ɸíː]


ƙugiya

ƙūgìyā f (plural ƙūgiyōyī, possessed form ƙūgìyar̃)

ƙūgìyā (canonical feminine)
ƙūgiyōyī (plural)
ƙūgìyar̃ (possessed-form)

/kʼúː.ɡì.jáː/

[kʷʼúː.ɟɪ̀.jáː]


zunubi

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.


dumɓu

dumɓū m (plural dumɓā̀yē, possessed form dumɓun)

dumɓū (canonical masculine)
dumɓā̀yē (plural)
dumɓun (possessed-form)


jimina

jìminā f (plural jìmìnū, possessed form jìminar̃)

jìminā (canonical feminine)
jìmìnū (plural)
jìminar̃ (possessed-form)

[d͡ʒɪ̀.mɪ́.náː]


muhuri

muhūrī m (plural mùhū̀rai, possessed form muhūrin)

muhūrī (canonical masculine)
mùhū̀rai (plural)
muhūrin (possessed-form)

/mú.húː.ɽíː/

[mʊ́.húː.ɽíː]


muzuru

mùzūrū m (plural mùzū̀rai, possessed form mùzūrun)

mùzūrū (canonical masculine)
mùzū̀rai (plural)
mùzūrun (possessed-form)

/mù.zúː.ɽúː/

[mʊ̀.zúː.ɽúː]


lambu

làmbū m (plural lambunā̀, possessed form làmbun)

làmbū (canonical masculine)
lambunā̀ (plural)
làmbun (possessed-form)


umra

umr̃ā (canonical feminine)
umr̃ar̃ (possessed-form)


sarƙa

sarƙā̀ f (plural sarƙōƙī, possessed form sarƙàr̃)

sarƙā̀ (canonical feminine)
sarƙōƙī (plural)
sarƙàr̃ (possessed-form)


yayyafi

yayyafī (canonical masculine)
yayyafin (possessed-form)

[jɛ́j.jɛ́.ɸíː]


wuƙa

wuƙā f (plural wuƙā̀ƙē, possessed form wuƙar̃)

wuƙā (canonical feminine)
wuƙā̀ƙē (plural)
wuƙar̃ (possessed-form)


kufai

kufai m (plural kufaifai, possessed form kufan)

kufaifai (plural)
kufan (possessed-form)


maiso

maisō m (plural maisā̀yē, possessed form maison)

maisō (canonical masculine)
maisā̀yē (plural)
maison (possessed-form)


Daura

Daura (a city in Katsina State, Nigeria)


wul

Alternative form of wulik (“black, dark blue”)


dankali

dànkalī̀ (canonical masculine)
dànkalìn (possessed-form)

→ Berom: dànkál

→ Bura: daŋkali

→ Kanuri: dangàli

→ Longuda: daŋkali

→ Peere: daŋkale

→ Wandala: daŋkali


lawur

→ Ikulu: àláwúr

(obsolete or dialectal, chiefly of Sokoto) sweet potato


bajau

(card games) A cloth which card players play on.


tanaka

tā̀nākā̀ f (plural tā̀nā̀kū, possessed form tā̀nākàr̃)

tā̀nākā̀ (canonical feminine)
tā̀nā̀kū (plural)
tā̀nākàr̃ (possessed-form)


gaiwa

gâiwā f (plural gaiwōyī, possessed form gâiwar̃)

gâiwā (canonical feminine)
gaiwōyī (plural)
gâiwar̃ (possessed-form)


fitila

fìtilā̀ f (plural fìtìlū, possessed form fìtilàr̃)

fìtilā̀ (canonical feminine)
fìtìlū (plural)
fìtilàr̃ (possessed-form)

Igala: ẹ̀mùtúlà

Nupe: fìtíla

Yoruba: fìtílà

[ɸɪ̀.tɪ́.làː]

Borrowed from Songhay, from Arabic فَتِيلَة (fatīla, “wick”).


Jos

Jos (a city, the state capital of Plateau State, Nigeria)


hijabi

hìjābī̀ (canonical masculine)
hìjābìn (possessed-form)

[hɪ̀.d͡ʒáː.bìː]


huɗu

From Proto-Chadic *-pɗ. Compare with Egyptian jfdw. Cognates include Mangas upsi, Polci woopsə, Saya wupsə, Baka wúfaɗ, Podoko ufaɗa, Zulgo-Gemzek əfáɗ, Moloko mə́faɗ, Uldeme məfáɗ, Mbuko fə́ɗo, Beele foto, Goemai fíːr, Ngizim fəɗu, Duwai fə̀ɗù, Miya fə̀ɗə, Warji fǝɗi, Karekare fḕɗù, Boga fwəɗà, Kirya-Konzel fwàdə̀,Kirfi páɗáu, Bole póɗɗo, Gidar póɗò, Dangaléat pooɗi, Galambu pērījá, Gera hūɗɗú, Ngamo hoɗo, Deno kúdí, Lagwan ɡǎɗe.


wuta

wutā (canonical feminine)
wutar̃ (possessed-form)

An old borrowing in West Chadic from an unknown source; compare Bole wuti, Mangas wur, Miship wus, Goemai wus, Beele huji, Kirfi wúʃī, Galambu wūːʃīː, Gera wūːsì, Deno ūʃíː, Tal us, Ngamo wòsi, Mwaghavul wus, Mundat wûʃ.


hoda

hōdā̀ (canonical feminine)
hōdàr̃ (possessed-form)


cindo

cindṑ (canonical masculine)
cindòn (possessed-form)

[t͡ʃɪ́n.dòː]


kaso

kasò (canonical masculine)
kasòn (possessed-form)


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)


akara

àkàrà (canonical masculine)
àkàràn (possessed-form)

[ʔà.kə̀.ɽə̀]


dorina

dṑrinā f (plural dṑrìnai, possessed form dṑrinar̃)

dṑrinā (canonical feminine)
dṑrìnai (plural)
dṑrinar̃ (possessed-form)

/dòː.ɽí.náː/

[dòː.ɽɪ́.náː]

(dialectal) sjambok (a whip made of hippopotamus hide)


ƙauye

ƙauyḕ m (plural ƙauyuka, possessed form ƙauyèn)

ƙauyḕ (canonical masculine)
ƙauyuka (plural)
ƙauyèn (possessed-form)


asham

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

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


kurmi

kurmī̀ (canonical masculine)
kurmìn (possessed-form)


likita

likità m or f (plural likitōcī, possessed form likitàn)

likità (canonical feminine masculine)
likitōcī (plural)
likitàn (possessed-form)

An old borrowing from English doctor. Doublet of dokta.


sarara

[sə̀.ɽə̀.ɽə̀]


yanki

yankī̀ (canonical masculine)
yankìn (possessed-form)


aboki

àbōkī m (feminine àbōkìyā or àbuyā̀, plural àbṑkai or àbṑkànai, possessed form àbōkin)

àbōkī (canonical masculine)
àbōkìyā (feminine)
àbuyā̀ (feminine)
àbṑkai (plural)
àbṑkànai (plural)
àbōkin (possessed-form)
Aboki (alternative)

→ Yoruba: àbókí

/ʔà.bóː.kíː/

[ʔà.bóː.cíː]

counterpart, companion (a person with whom one does something, or is in any kind of relationship, positive or negative)


salla

sallā̀ (canonical feminine)
sallàr̃ (possessed-form)


tausa

tàusā (canonical feminine)
tàusar̃ (possessed-form)


tautau

tautàu (canonical masculine)
tautàn (possessed-form)

A skin rash thought to be caused by drinking water in which a spider has died.


ɗigo

ɗigṑ m (plural ɗìge-ɗìge, possessed form ɗigòn)

ɗigṑ (canonical masculine)
ɗìge-ɗìge (plural)
ɗigòn (possessed-form)


ƙorama

ƙṑramā̀ f (plural ƙoramu, possessed form ƙṑramàr̃)

ƙṑramā̀ (canonical feminine)
ƙoramu (plural)
ƙṑramàr̃ (possessed-form)

/kʼòː.ɽá.màː/

[kʷʼòː.ɽə́.màː]


ɓurma

ɓurmā f (plural ɓurā̀mē, possessed form ɓurmar̃)

ɓurmā (canonical feminine)
ɓurā̀mē (plural)
ɓurmar̃ (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


alawa

àlāwā̀ (canonical feminine)
àlāwàr̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔà.láː.wàː/

[ʔà.láː.wàː]


kandu

kandū m (plural kandā̀yē, possessed form kandun)

kandū (canonical masculine)
kandā̀yē (plural)
kandun (possessed-form)

A certain white stone used in necklaces.


biya

biyà (canonical feminine)
biyàr̃ (possessed-form)


ruwa

ruwā m (plural ruwā̀yē, possessed form ruwan)

ruwā (canonical masculine)
ruwā̀yē (plural)
ruwan (possessed-form)

A borrowing of unclear origin, cognate to Galambu rwa (“river”). Blench suggests a derivation from Nupoid Volta-Niger; compare Nupe nuwan and Gbari nua.


bango

bangō m (plural bangwā̀yē, possessed form bangon)

bangō (canonical masculine)
bangwā̀yē (plural)
bangon (possessed-form)


kifi

kīfī m (plural kīfā̀yē, possessed form kīfin)

kīfī (canonical masculine)
kīfā̀yē (plural)
kīfin (possessed-form)


akwasa

akwasā f (plural akwasōshī, possessed form akwasar̃)

akwasā (canonical feminine)
akwasōshī (plural)
akwasar̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔá.kʷá.sáː/

[ʔá.kʷə́.sáː]


ƙube

ƙūbè (canonical feminine)
ƙūbèn (possessed-form)


ƙosai

ƙōsai (canonical masculine)
ƙōsan (possessed-form)


ɓakutu

ɓākutu (canonical masculine)
ɓākutun (possessed-form)

[ɓáː.kʷʊ́.tɪ́]

A nickname for a child with big buttocks.


kogi

kṑgī m (plural kōgunā̀, possessed form kṑgin)

kṑgī (canonical masculine)
kōgunā̀ (plural)
kṑgin (possessed-form)

→ English: Kogi

→ Yoruba: Kogí


zamba

zàmba f (plural zàmbàce-zàmbàce, possessed form zàmbar̃)

zàmba (canonical feminine)
zàmbàce-zàmbàce (plural)
zàmbar̃ (possessed-form)


tofa

tōfā (canonical feminine)
tōfar̃ (possessed-form)


dabba

dabbā̀ f (plural dabbōbī, possessed form dabbàr̃)

dabbā̀ (canonical feminine)
dabbōbī (plural)
dabbàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Kanuri dábbà (“animal”), from Arabic دَابَّة (dābba, “quadruped”).


Yusufu

[júː.sɪ́.ɸʊ̀]

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

a male given name, equivalent to English Joseph


kamili

kāmìlī m (feminine kāmìlā, plural kā̀mìlai, possessed form kāmìlin)

kāmìlī (canonical masculine)
kāmìlā (feminine)
kā̀mìlai (plural)
kāmìlin (possessed-form)


zamani

zāmànī (canonical masculine)
zā̀mānī̀ (canonical masculine)
zāmànin (possessed-form)
zā̀mānìn (possessed-form)

From Arabic زَمَن (zaman) and زَمَان (zamān).


mamaye

mā̀màyē (canonical masculine)
mā̀màyen (possessed-form)


hamada

hàmādā̀ (canonical feminine)
hàmādàr̃ (possessed-form)


silin

sīlìn (canonical masculine)
sīlī̀ (alternative)


amini

àmīnī̀ m (feminine àmīnìyā, plural àmī̀nai, possessed form àmīnìn)

àmīnī̀ (canonical masculine)
àmīnìyā (feminine)
àmī̀nai (plural)
àmīnìn (possessed-form)

/ʔà.míː.nìː/

[ʔà.míː.nìː]


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


ƙwai

ƙwai m (plural ƙwayā̀yē, possessed form ƙwan)

Cognate with Duwai gwai (“egg”), Ngizim àgwai (“egg”), Beja kwahi (“egg”).


nasaba

nasabā̀ (canonical feminine)
nasabàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Arabic نَسَب (nasab) or a related form.


ibada

ìbādā̀ (canonical feminine)
ìbādàr̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔì.báː.dàː/

[ʔɪ̀.báː.dàː]


harshe

harshḕ m (plural harsunā̀ or harā̀sā, possessed form harshèn)

harshḕ (canonical masculine)
harsunā̀ (plural)
harā̀sā (plural)
harshèn (possessed-form)

From Proto-Chadic *ls-, from Proto-Afroasiatic *lis- (“tongue”). Cognate with Egyptian ns, Proto-Semitic *lišān-, and Proto-Berber *lis. Compare Lagwan nsli, Tal liis, Ron lîs, Gerka lís, Mundat àliʃi, Fyer lés, Tambas les, Sha alə́s, Dangaléat leese, Bole lishìm, Karekare lūsìn, Zulgo-Gemzek àràh, Muyang ārə̄ɗ, Podoko rəɗəɗá, Miya shínákə.

(by extension) tip or tongue of something


goge

gṑgē (canonical masculine)
gṑgen (possessed-form)


zare

zàrē m (plural zarurrukā̀ or zarūruwā̀, possessed form zàren)

zàrē (canonical masculine)
zarurrukā̀ (plural)
zarūruwā̀ (plural)
zàren (possessed-form)


zare

zā̀rē (canonical masculine)
zā̀ren (possessed-form)


zare

(using an indirect object) to snatch from


zare

to withdraw from, to be unconcerned with


danga

dangā f (plural dangōgī, possessed form dangar̃)

dangā (canonical feminine)
dangōgī (plural)
dangar̃ (possessed-form)

Compare Kanuri dángá (“cornstalk fence”), Chadian Arabic دنقاي (dangāy, “prison”), Lame daŋgai (“prison”), Dangaléat dyegruwa (“stone wall”), Sidamo danqara (“bar”).


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)


babur

bā̀bur̃ (canonical masculine)
bābur̃ā̀ (plural)


Haruna

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

a male given name, Harun, equivalent to English Aaron


ladani

lā̀dānī̀ m (plural lā̀dā̀nai, possessed form lā̀dānìn)

lā̀dānī̀ (canonical masculine)
lā̀dā̀nai (plural)
lā̀dānìn (possessed-form)


diyya

diyyā̀ (canonical feminine)
diyyàr̃ (possessed-form)


ڟ

The nineteenth letter of the Hausa alphabet in ajami script, equivalent to Latin script ts.


ݓ

The third letter of the Hausa alphabet in ajami script, equivalent to Latin script c.


Azumi

[ʔá.zɪ̀.mɪ́]

a female given name given to a girl born during Ramadan


bayani

bàyānī̀ (canonical masculine)
bàyānìn (possessed-form)


makama

makāmā (canonical feminine)
makāmar̃ (possessed-form)


makama

makā̀mā (canonical masculine)
makā̀man (possessed-form)

a traditional title for an advisor to the emir


Indiya

[ʔɪ́n.dɪ́.jɛ̀]


tunku

tùnkū m (plural tùnkunā̀, possessed form tùnkun)

tùnkū (canonical masculine)
tùnkunā̀ (plural)
tùnkun (possessed-form)


bedi

bēdī̀ (canonical masculine)
bēdìn (possessed-form)


tsoka

tsōkā̀ f (plural tsōkōkī, possessed form tsōkàr̃)

tsōkā̀ (canonical feminine)
tsōkōkī (plural)
tsōkàr̃ (possessed-form)

piece of (lean) meat (other than entrails)

flesh, edible part of fruit around the seed


sadaka

sadakā̀ f (plural sadakōkī, possessed form sadakàr̃)

sadakā̀ (canonical feminine)
sadakōkī (plural)
sadakàr̃ (possessed-form)


sahibi

sāhìbī m (feminine sāhìbā, plural sā̀hìbai, possessed form sāhìbin)

sāhìbī (canonical masculine)
sāhìbā (feminine)
sā̀hìbai (plural)
sāhìbin (possessed-form)


juwa

jùwā (canonical feminine)
jùwar̃ (possessed-form)


daftari

daftar̃ī m (plural dàftàr̃ai, possessed form daftar̃in)

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


ishara

ìshār̃ā̀ f (plural ishār̃ōr̃ī, possessed form ìshār̃àr̃)

ìshār̃ā̀ (canonical feminine)
ishār̃ōr̃ī (plural)
ìshār̃àr̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔì.ʃáː.ràː/

[ʔɪ̀.ʃáː.ràː]

bor

Arabic إِشَارَة (ʔišāra)


hakki

ha-noun

hakkī̀ m (plural hakkōkī, possessed form hakkìn)

hakkī̀ (canonical masculine)
hakkōkī (plural)
hakkìn (possessed-form)


sashi

sāshī̀ m (plural sâssā, possessed form sāshìn)

sāshī̀ (canonical masculine)
sâssā (plural)
sāshìn (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)
ī̀shā (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic اَلْعِشَاء (al-ʕišāʔ).

bor

Arabic اَلْعِشَاء (al-ʕišāʔ)


emti

emtī̀ (canonical masculine)
emtìn (possessed-form)


Abdullahi

عَبْدُ ٱللّٰه

a male given name, equivalent to English Abdullah


kilishi

kilìshī (canonical masculine)
kilìshin (possessed-form)

[cɪ́.lɪ̀.ʃíː]


ʼy

(Nigeria) A letter of the Hausa alphabet, written in the Latin script..


lalle

lallḕ (canonical masculine)
lallèn (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: làáli

→ Yoruba: làálì

From Kanuri nallê, from a Berber language, e.g. Tamahaq anǝlla.


littafi

ha-noun

littāfī̀ f (plural lìttàttàfai or lìttàfai, possessed form littāfìn)

littāfī̀ (canonical feminine)
lìttàttàfai (plural)
lìttàfai (plural)
littāfìn (possessed-form)

[lɪ́t.táː.ɸìː]

A very old borrowing from Arabic اَلْكِتَاب (al-kitāb, “the book”).

der

Na karanta wannan littafin.


kadari

kadàr̃i (canonical masculine)
kadàr̃in (possessed-form)


kawu

ha-noun

kā̀wu m (plural kā̀wùnai, possessed form kā̀wun)

kā̀wu (canonical masculine)
kā̀wùnai (plural)
kā̀wun (possessed-form)


doki

dōkī̀ m (feminine gōɗìyā, plural dawākī, possessed form dōkìn)

dōkī̀ (canonical masculine)
gōɗìyā (feminine)
dawākī (plural)
dōkìn (possessed-form)

→ Nupe: dòkò

Cognate with Ngizim dū̀kà, Mangas badoki, Miya dùwakə, Duwai dùwək, Bole dṑwì, Ngamo dò, Karekare dṑku, Bura takù.


salamu alaikum

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

bor

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ

(Islam) salaam alaikum (Muslim greeting)


Nijeriya

Nī̀jēr̃iyà (canonical feminine)
Najeriya (alternative)
Naijeriya (alternative)

[nìː.d͡ʒéː.rɪ́.jɛ̀]

Nigeria (a country in West Africa, south of the country of Niger)


Afirka

[ʔá.ɸɪ́r.kə̀]

Africa (the continent south of Europe and between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans)


Amirka

Amìr̃kà (canonical feminine)
Amurka (alternative)

United States of America
United States of America#English

United States of America (a country in North America)


Anaca

/ʔà.nà.t͡ʃà/

[ʔà.nə̀.t͡ʃə̀]


Tambutu

Tàmbūtù (canonical)
Tambūtù (canonical feminine)


Kwara

→ English: Kwara

→ Yoruba: Kúwárà

Niger (a major river in West Africa, that flows into the Gulf of Guinea in Nigeria)


kwabo

ha-noun

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

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


Ingila

/ʔíːn.ɡì.là/

[ʔíːɲ.ɟɪ̀.lə̀]

England (a constituent country of the United Kingdom)


Fatakwal

[ɸə́.táː.kʷàl]


Zariya

[záː.ɽɪ́.jɛ̀]


Zazzau

Zaria (a city in Nigeria) (traditional name, especially in reference to the emirate)


Katsina

[kə̀.sʼɪ́.nə̀]


Alƙahira

[ʔàl.kʼáː.hɪ̀.rə́]

Borrowed from Arabic اَلْقَاهِرَة (al-qāhira).

bor

اَلْقَاهِرَة


Madina

Borrowed from Arabic الْمَدِينَة (al-madīna).


Tarabulus

Borrowed from Arabic طَرَابُلُس (ṭarābulus).


Bagadaza

[bə̀.ɡə̀.dáː.zə̀]


Faransa

France (a country located primarily in Western Europe)


Ƙasar Maka

Ƙasar̃ Makà (canonical feminine)
Ƙasar Makka (alternative)

Saudi Arabia (a country in Western Asia, in the Middle East)


Saudiyya

From Arabic السَّعُودِيَّة (as-saʕūdiyya).

السَّعُودِيَّة


Habasha

[há.bə́.ʃə̀]


Saliyo

Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone#English:_Q1044


Rasha

Russia (a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and North Asia)


sardauna

sàr̃dauna (canonical masculine)
sàr̃daunan (possessed-form)

a title for a traditional leader in Sokoto, most famously borne by Ahmadu Bello


rana-rana

/ɽáː.náː.ɽáː.náː/

[ɽáː.náː.ɽáː.náː]


Jumma'a

[d͡ʒɪ́m.mə́.ʔàː]

Borrowed from Arabic الجُمْعَة (al-jumʕa).

days of the week: ranar mako: Litinin · Talata · Laraba · Alhamis · Jumma'a · Asabar · Lahadi [edit]


Asabar

Borrowed from Arabic السَّبْت (as-sabt).


Lahadi

Lahàdì (canonical feminine)
Ladi (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic الْأَحَد (al-ʔaḥad).


Litinin

[lìː.tɪ̀.nɪ̂ŋ]

Borrowed from Arabic الاِثْنَيْن (al-iṯnayn).


Talata

Borrowed from Arabic الثُّلَاثَاء (aṯ-ṯulāṯāʔ).

الثُّلَاثَاء

Arabic الثُّلَاثَاء (aṯ-ṯulāṯāʔ)


Laraba

Borrowed from Arabic الْأَرْبِعَاء (al-ʔarbiʕāʔ).

الْأَرْبِعَاء

Arabic الْأَرْبِعَاء (al-ʔarbiʕāʔ)


Alhamis

Borrowed from Arabic الْخَمِيس (al-ḵamīs).


Afrilu

[ʔàɸ.ríː.lɪ̀]


Agusta

/ʔà.ɡús.tàː/

[ʔà.ɡʷʊ́s.tàː]


Rabi'u Lawwal

[ɽə̀.bíː.ʔʊ̀ láw.wàl]

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

رَبِيع الْأَوَّل


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)


Jimada Lawwal

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

جُمَادَى الْأُولَى


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


Ramalan

[ɽə̀.mə̀.lâŋ]

Borrowed from Arabic رَمَضَان (ramaḍān).


Zulƙida

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

ذُو الْقَعْدَة

Arabic ذُو الْقَعْدَة (ḏū l-qaʕda)


Zulhajji

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

ذُو الْحِجَّة

Arabic ذُو الْحِجَّة (ḏū l-ḥijja)


Masar

Masàr̃ (canonical feminine)
Misira (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic مِصْر (miṣr). Doublet of masàr̃ā.

Egypt (a country in North Africa and Western Asia)


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).


karkanda

ha-noun

kar̃kàndà m or f (possessed form kar̃kàndàn)

kar̃kàndà (canonical feminine masculine)
kar̃kàndàn (possessed-form)


'ya

'yā f (plural 'yā'yā, possessed form 'yar̃)

'yā (canonical feminine)
'yā'yā (plural)
'yar̃ (possessed-form)
ƴa (alternative)


ƴa

ƴā (canonical feminine)
ƴāƴā (plural)
ƴar̃ (possessed-form)


ɗa

ɗā m (plural 'yā'yā, possessed form ɗan)

ɗā (canonical masculine)
'yā'yā (plural)
ɗan (possessed-form)


ɗan

Tibì (“Tiv”) → ɗan Tibì (“Tiv man”)

Used to indicate a person's origin, profession, or activity.

yārṑ (“boy”) → ɗan yārṑ (“a small boy”)


'yar

'yar̃ (canonical feminine)
'yan (plural)
ƴar (alternative)


ajami

àjàmi (canonical masculine)
àjàmin (possessed-form)

[ʔà.d͡ʒə̀.mɪ́]

Nigeria

Borrowed from Arabic عَجَمِيّ (ʕajamiyy).


raƙumi

ha-noun

rā̀ƙumī m (feminine rā̀ƙumā, plural rāƙumā̀, possessed form rā̀ƙumin)

rā̀ƙumī (canonical masculine)
rā̀ƙumā (feminine)
rāƙumā̀ (plural)
rā̀ƙumin (possessed-form)

→ Warji: laƙumai

→ Ciwogai: rā̀ƙúmi

→ Miya: laƙùmí

→ Siri: ràƙwámí

→ Tal: raƙumi

→ Mburku: lā̀ƙúmi

→ Zumbun: raƙùmi

→ Diri: raƙúmí

→ Saya: rà:kumi

→ Berom: lā̀kúmí

→ Yoruba: ràkúnmí

→ Mampruli: arakoomi?

/ɽàː.kʼú.míː/

[ɽàː.kʷʼʊ́.míː]

A very old borrowing, ultimately from Proto-Berber *a-lɣəm. See that entry for more.


rahama

r̃ahamā̀ (canonical feminine)
r̃ahamàr̃ (possessed-form)


raka'a

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.


gwamna

gwamnā̀ m (plural gwamnōnī, possessed form gwamnàn)

gwamnā̀ (canonical masculine)
gwamnōnī (plural)
gwamnàn (possessed-form)


gwamnati

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.


budurwa

bùdurwā f (plural budurwōyī, possessed form bùdurwar̃)

bùdurwā (canonical feminine)
budurwōyī (plural)
bùdurwar̃ (possessed-form)

[bʊ̀.dɪ́ɽ.wáː]

A suffixed adaptation of Arabic بَتُول (batūl, “virgin”).


Ladi

a female given name given to a girl born on a Sunday


ma'ana

mà'ànā (canonical feminine)
mà'ànar̃ (possessed-form)

[mə̀.ʔà.náː]


garwashi

garwāshī (canonical masculine)
garwāshin (possessed-form)

/ɡáɽ.wáː.ʃíː/

[ɡáɽ.wáː.ʃíː]

From Arabic جَمْرَة (jamra) or similar, with metathesis.


kafaɗa

kā̀faɗā̀ f (plural kā̀fàɗū, possessed form kā̀faɗàr̃)

kā̀faɗā̀ (canonical feminine)
kā̀fàɗū (plural)
kā̀faɗàr̃ (possessed-form)

/kàː.fá.ɗàː/

[kàː.ɸə́.ɗàː]

From Arabic كِتْف (kitf) with metathesis.


albarka

àlbar̃kā̀ (canonical feminine)
àlbar̃kàr̃ (possessed-form)


albarka

→ Nupe: àlùbáríka

→ Yoruba: àlùbáríkà

Used to reject an offer when bargaining.


Balarabe

Bàlār̃abḕ m (feminine Bàlār̃abìyā, plural Lār̃abāwā, possessed form Bàlār̃abèn)

Bàlār̃abḕ (canonical masculine)
Bàlār̃abìyā (feminine)
Lār̃abāwā (plural)
Bàlār̃abèn (possessed-form)


Balarabe

From Lā̀r̃àbā (“Wednesday”), with conflation from etymology 1.

a male given name given to a boy born on a Wednesday


Basakkwace

Bàsakkwacḕ m (feminine Bàsakkwacìyā, plural Sakkwatāwā, possessed form Bàsakkwacèn)

Bàsakkwacḕ (canonical masculine)
Bàsakkwacìyā (feminine)
Sakkwatāwā (plural)
Bàsakkwacèn (possessed-form)

[bə̀.sákʷ.kʷə́.t͡ʃèː]


Bature

Bàtūr̃ḕ m (feminine Bàtūr̃ìyā, plural Tūr̃āwā, possessed form Bàtūr̃èn)

Bàtūr̃ḕ (canonical masculine)
Bàtūr̃ìyā (feminine)
Tūr̃āwā (plural)
Bàtūr̃èn (possessed-form)


Bahaushe

Bàhaushḕ m (feminine Bàhaushìyā, plural Hausāwā, possessed form Bàhaushèn)

Bàhaushḕ (canonical masculine)
Bàhaushìyā (feminine)
Hausāwā (plural)
Bàhaushèn (possessed-form)


takalmi

tā̀kàlmī m (plural tākalmà, possessed form tā̀kàlmin)

tā̀kàlmī (canonical masculine)
tākalmà (plural)
tā̀kàlmin (possessed-form)

Of unclear origin, but probably from a Songhay language; compare Proto-Songhay *tàgmú (“pair of shoes”) and analogous deverbal endings in its descendant languages. The Hausa verb tākā̀ (“step on”) may share the same ultimate origin, but is inherited West Chadic vocabulary. An alternate suggestion posits that it comes from a Berber language; compare Tamasheq ikumellitten (“shoes”).


kwala

kwalā̀ f (plural kwalōlī, possessed form kwalàr̃)

kwalā̀ (canonical feminine)
kwalōlī (plural)
kwalàr̃ (possessed-form)

Borrowed from English collar. Doublet of kwal.


hikima

hikimā̀ f (plural hikimōmī, possessed form hikimàr̃)

hikimā̀ (canonical feminine)
hikimōmī (plural)
hikimàr̃ (possessed-form)


ƙadangare

ƙàdangarḕ m (feminine ƙàdangarùwā, plural ƙàdàngàrū, possessed form ƙàdangarèn)

ƙàdangarḕ (canonical masculine)
ƙàdangarùwā (feminine)
ƙàdàngàrū (plural)
ƙàdangarèn (possessed-form)

/kʼà.dán.ɡá.ɽèː/

[kʼə̀.dáŋ.ɡə́.ɽèː]

An areal word; cognates in Chadic include Kanakuru gandal and Kirya-Konzel njaxala.


agola

agṑlà m (feminine agōlìyā, plural àgṑlai, possessed form agṑlàn)

agṑlà (canonical masculine)
agōlìyā (feminine)
àgṑlai (plural)
agṑlàn (possessed-form)

[ʔá.ɡʷòː.lə̀]

From Tuareg, e.g. Tamasheq ăǵola (“stepchild”).


azurfa

azùr̃fā (canonical feminine)
azùr̃far̃ (possessed-form)

[ʔá.zɪ̀r.ɸáː]

From Tuareg, e.g. Tamasheq aẓrəf, from Proto-Berber *a-ẓrəf.


Gwalkwas

(historical) Gold Coast (colonial name of modern Ghana)


alade

àladḕ m (plural àlàdai or àlàdū, possessed form àladèn)

àladḕ (canonical masculine)
àlàdai (plural)
àlàdū (plural)
àladèn (possessed-form)

[ʔà.lə́.dèː]

Borrowed from Yoruba ẹlẹdẹ. Cognate with Mangas alade, Polci alade, Kushi ʔàládè.


amalanke

amālanke (canonical masculine)
amālanken (possessed-form)

[ʔá.máː.lɛ́ɲ.cé]


ashana

àshānā f (plural àshānā, possessed form àshānar̃)

àshānā (canonical feminine)
àshānā (plural)
àshānar̃ (possessed-form)

/ʔà.ʃáː.náː/

[ʔà.ʃáː.náː]


kwano

kwānṑ m (plural kwānukā̀ or kwānōnī, possessed form kwānòn)

kwānṑ (canonical masculine)
kwānukā̀ (plural)
kwānōnī (plural)
kwānòn (possessed-form)

Borrowed from Yoruba peno, from English pan.


dattijo

dattījò m (feminine dattījìyā, plural dàttā̀wā or dàttī̀jai, possessed form dattījòn)

dattījò (canonical masculine)
dattījìyā (feminine)
dàttā̀wā (plural)
dàttī̀jai (plural)
dattījòn (possessed-form)


gwaggo

gwaggò (canonical feminine)
gwaggòn (possessed-form)


taguwa

taguwā̀ f (plural taguwōyī, possessed form taguwàr̃)

taguwā̀ (canonical feminine)
taguwōyī (plural)
taguwàr̃ (possessed-form)

/táɡ.ɡú.wàː/

[táɡʷ.ɡʷʊ́.wàː]


taguwa

tā̀guwā̀ f (plural tā̀guwai, possessed form tā̀guwàr̃)

tā̀guwā̀ (canonical feminine)
tā̀guwai (plural)
tā̀guwàr̃ (possessed-form)

/tàː.ɡú.wàː/

[tàː.ɡʷʊ́.wàː]


wofi

wṑfī m or f (plural wōfā̀yē, possessed form wṑfin)

wṑfī (canonical feminine masculine)
wōfā̀yē (plural)
wṑfin (possessed-form)


gandu

gandū m (plural gandā̀yē, possessed form gandun)

gandū (canonical masculine)
gandā̀yē (plural)
gandun (possessed-form)

large farm, usually worked by a single family