Adjectives

1. Babba

   Big

   Usage

   For stating a size — clothes or rooms

2. Ƙarami

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big — for asking for a smaller size

3. Mai nauyi

   Heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of luggage, and as a lead-in to asking for help

4. Maras nauyi

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from light meaning bright

5. Mai tsada

   Expensive

   Usage

   High in price — the opening move when haggling

6. Mai arha

   Cheap

   Usage

   The opposite of expensive — for asking for something cheaper

7. Mai zafi

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — kept separate from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Mai zafi is hot to the touch; for weather Hausa says ana zafi ("it is hot").

8. Mai sanyi

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — kept separate from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Mai sanyi is cold to the touch; for weather say ana sanyi.

9. Sabo

   New

   Usage

   Brand new — also used when asking for a replacement

10. Tsoho

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in worn — never the word to use about a person

    Grammar Note

    Tsoho is for objects; for people use the respectful dattijo ("elder").

11. Matashi

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age — a small-talk staple

12. Dattijo

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Elderly, about people — a different word from old things

13. Mai tsabta

    Clean

    Usage

    For praising cleanliness

14. Mai ƙazanta

    Dirty

    Usage

    Unclean — the reason you give when asking for a change of room or dishes

15. Mai kyau

    Good

    Usage

    A positive verdict, also usable to signal agreement

16. Mummuna

    Bad

    Usage

    A negative verdict — also used of health and weather

17. Kusa

    Near

    Usage

    Close by — for checking whether you can walk

18. Nesa

    Far

    Usage

    Far away — your cue to look for transport

19. Da wuri

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — for first departures and opening hours

    Grammar Note

    Da wuri is early in time; fast in speed is da sauri.

20. Latti

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time — for last departures and closing hours

    Grammar Note

    Latti is late in time; slow in speed is a hankali.

21. Da yawa

    Many

    Usage

    A large amount or number — also used to describe crowds

22. Kaɗan

    Few

    Usage

    A small amount or number — for asking for less of something

23. Ana zafi

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather — learn it separately from hot objects

    Grammar Note

    The phrase for hot weather; "ana" marks an ongoing state.

24. Ana sanyi

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather — learn it separately from cold objects

    Grammar Note

    The phrase for cold weather — northern mornings in the harmattan season really are cold.

25. Kyakkyawa

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, objects, and animals

26. Da daɗi

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

27. Abin mamaki!

    Amazing

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or admiration

28. Ƙari

    More

    Usage

    Point to it to ask for more

29. Kaɗan kawai

    Just a little

    Usage

    For asking for only a small amount

30. Rabi

    Half

    Usage

    For asking for half the amount

31. Duka

    All

    Usage

    For asking for the whole lot

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