Telling the Time and Daily Routine in Hausa

Time-telling in Hausa is simple: you say karfe (o'clock) followed by the number. The words for parts of the day are useful for describing your routine.

Asking the time

• Karfe nawa ne? — What time is it?
• Da karfe nawa? — At what time?

Telling the time

Use karfe + number:

• Karfe ɗaya ne. — It's one o'clock.
• Karfe biyu. — Two o'clock.
• Karfe uku. — Three o'clock.
• Karfe takwas. — Eight o'clock.
• Karfe goma sha biyu. — Twelve o'clock.

For half hours, add da rabi ("and a half"):

• Karfe uku da rabi. — Half past three.
• Karfe takwas da rabi. — 8:30.

For other minutes, use da ("and") plus the number of minutes: karfe biyar da minti goma (ten past five).

Parts of the day

• da safe — in the morning
• da rana — in the daytime, at midday
• da la'asar — in the late afternoon
• da yamma — in the evening
• da dare — at night

Example: Karfe takwas da safe. — Eight o'clock in the morning. Karfe tara da dare. — Nine at night.

A typical day

• Ina tashi da safe. — I get up in the morning.
• Ina wanka. — I wash / bathe.
• Ina cin karin kumallo. — I eat breakfast.
• Ina zuwa aiki. — I go to work.
• Ina komawa gida. — I return home.
• Ina cin abincin dare. — I eat dinner.
• Ina kwana. — I sleep.

Breakfast: karin kumallo. Lunch: abincin rana. Dinner: abincin dare.

Prayer times as time markers

In Muslim communities, the five daily prayers mark the day: Asuba (dawn), Azahar (midday), La'asar (mid-afternoon), Magariba (sunset), Isha'i (evening). People often say "after Magariba" to give a time.

Useful time expressions

• yanzu — now
• da wuri — early
• a makare — late
• kafin — before
• bayan — after
• koyaushe — always
• wani lokaci — sometimes

Appointments

• Mu haɗu da karfe uku. — Let's meet at three o'clock.
• Zan zo da yamma. — I'll come in the evening.
• Ka zo da wuri. — Come early.
• Ka yi haƙuri, na makara. — Sorry, I'm late. (to a man)

"Time" in Hausa culture

Punctuality varies by setting. Business and official appointments are expected on time, while social events often start later than announced. Greetings before a meeting take priority over hurrying.

Learning tips

1. Learn karfe + numbers.
2. Learn the parts of the day.
3. Describe your routine daily.
4. Listen for time words in radio broadcasts.

Common mistakes

• Putting the number before karfe.
• Forgetting the part-of-day word.

Look up time words with English Hausa Dictionary →