Body Parts

1. Kai

   Head

   Usage

   Show this at a clinic and point at your head — "ciwon kai" is a headache

2. Gashi

   Hair

   Usage

   Used at a barber or salon

3. Fuska

   Face

   Usage

   The whole face — for sunburn or a rash

4. Ido

   Eye

   Usage

   Harmattan dust irritates eyes — show this at a pharmacy

5. Kunne

   Ear

   Usage

   For earache or trouble hearing

6. Hanci

   Nose

   Usage

   Noses dry out in the dry season — also for a nosebleed

7. Baki

   Mouth

   Usage

   Used at a dentist or pharmacy

8. Leɓe

   Lip

   Usage

   The hooked ɓ is a different sound from plain b — dropping the hook makes a different word

9. Haƙori

   Tooth

   Usage

   Point at the aching tooth while showing this — ƙ is a different sound from plain k

10. Harshe

    Tongue

    Usage

    The same word also means "language"

11. Wuya

    Neck

    Usage

    The outside of the neck — for pain on swallowing use "maƙogwaro"

12. Maƙogwaro

    Throat

    Usage

    Hausa separates throat from neck — use this for pain when swallowing

13. Kafaɗa

    Shoulder

    Usage

    For shoulder pain after carrying a load

14. Hannu

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    Hausa uses one word for hand and arm — point at the spot. Give and receive with the right hand

15. Gwiwar hannu

    Elbow

    Usage

    Literally "knee of the arm" — for a scrape after a fall

16. Yatsa

    Finger

    Usage

    One word for finger and toe — point to show which

17. Farce

    Nail

    Usage

    For a crushed nail, or at a salon

18. Ƙirji

    Chest

    Usage

    Chest pain is urgent — show a doctor at once

19. Ciki

    Belly / stomach

    Usage

    Hausa does not split belly from stomach — "ina ciwon ciki" is stomach ache. It can also mean being pregnant

20. Mara

    Lower abdomen

    Usage

    Below the navel — "ina ciwon mara" is lower-abdominal pain

21. Baya

    Back

    Usage

    For back pain after a long bus ride

22. Cinya

    Thigh

    Usage

    From hip to knee

23. Gwiwa

    Knee

    Usage

    On its own it is the knee; "gwiwar hannu" is the elbow

24. Ƙafa

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    One word for leg and foot — point at the spot

25. Idon sawu

    Ankle

    Usage

    Literally "eye of the foot" — for explaining a sprain

26. Fata

    Skin

    Usage

    The sun is strong and the air dry — for sunburn or a rash

27. Ƙashi

    Bone

    Usage

    Show this when you suspect a fracture and want an X-ray

28. Jini

    Blood

    Usage

    For bleeding and blood tests

29. Zuciya

    Heart

    Usage

    Also means the heart as feeling — "ciwon zuciya" is heart disease

30. Kwakwalwa

    Brain

    Usage

    When asking for a scan after a blow to the head

31. Hanta

    Liver

    Usage

    You cannot point at it — show the word itself to explain a condition

32. Ƙoda

    Kidney

    Usage

    For explaining a condition or medication

33. Huhu

    Lung

    Usage

    For shortness of breath — harmattan dust can make it worse

34. Hanji

    Intestine

    Usage

    For explaining diarrhoea or gut pain to a doctor

35. Tsoka

    Muscle

    Usage

    For muscle ache at a pharmacy

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