Hausa School and Learning Vocabulary

Education vocabulary is essential for students, parents and anyone studying Hausa. Here is a practical set with example sentences.

Places and people

Hausa	Meaning
makaranta	school
jami'a	university
aji	class, classroom
malami	teacher (m.), scholar
malama	teacher (f.)
ɗalibi	student (m.)
ɗaliba	student (f.)
ɗalibai	students
shugaban makaranta	head teacher

Things at school

• littafi — book
• alƙalami — pen
• takarda — paper
• allo — board, slate
• darasi — lesson
• aikin gida — homework
• jarrabawa — exam
• hutu — holiday, break

Actions

• karatu — reading, studying
• rubutu — writing
• karanta — read
• rubuta — write
• koya — learn
• koyar — teach
• tambaya — ask
• amsa — answer
• ci jarrabawa — pass an exam

Useful sentences

• Ina zuwa makaranta. — I'm going to school.
• Ina karatun Hausa. — I'm studying Hausa.
• Na yi aikin gida. — I did my homework.
• Zan ci jarrabawa. — I will pass the exam.
• Ban gane ba. — I don't understand.

Language-learner phrases

• Ina koyon Hausa. — I'm learning Hausa.
• Ba na jin Hausa sosai. — I don't speak Hausa well.
• Ka yi magana a hankali. — Speak slowly. (to a man)

Two traditions of learning

In Hausa communities, learning happens both in Western-style schools (makarantar boko) and in Qur'anic schools (makarantar allo). Both are widely valued.

Learning tips

1. Keep a small notebook for new words.
2. Ask for words in Hausa whenever you can.
3. Use classroom phrases actively.
4. Read simple texts and write short sentences.

Common mistakes

• Confusing malami (m.) and malama (f.).
• Writing ɗ as a plain d in ɗalibi and ɗaliba.

Look up Hausa words with English Hausa Dictionary →