Sightseeing

1. Rijiyoyin rini na Kano

   Ri-ji-yo-yin ri-ni na Ka-no

   Kano Dye Pits — ancient indigo dye pits

   Usage

   Ancient natural dyeing pits in Kano's old city, said to date from the late 15th century

   Grammar Note

   Kano's Kofar Mata dye pits are a UNESCO intangible heritage candidate. Natural indigo (baba) dyeing techniques continue today.

2. Babbar masallacin Kano

   Bab-bar ma-sal-la-cin Ka-no

   Kano Central Mosque

   Usage

   Kano's iconic grand mosque. Friday prayers are particularly impressive

3. Gidan wasan kwaikwayo na ƙasa Lagos

   Gi-dan wa-san kwai-kwa-yo na ƙa-sa La-gos

   National Arts Theatre Lagos

   Usage

   Nigeria's largest cultural venue in Lagos

4. Gidan zanen Nike Lagos

   Gi-dan za-nen Ni-ke La-gos

   Nike Art Gallery Lagos

   Usage

   West Africa's largest private art gallery in Lekki, Lagos

5. Dajin tsarki na Osun

   Da-jin tsar-ki na O-sun

   Osun Sacred Grove — UNESCO World Heritage Site

   Usage

   Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is Nigeria's UNESCO World Heritage Site. A Yoruba sacred site

6. Rangadin jagorar

   Ran-ga-din ja-go-rar

   Guided tour

   Usage

   Used when requesting a guided tour

7. Ana iya ɗaukar hoto?

   A-na i-ya ɗau-kar ho-to?

   Is photography allowed?

   Usage

   Used to check if photography is permitted at a site

8. Yaushe ake buɗewa?

   Yau-she a-ke bu-ɗe-wa?

   What are the opening hours?

   Usage

   Used to check opening hours at museums or tourist sites

9. Yana rufe a Jumma'a asar

   Ya-na ru-fe a Jum-ma'a a-sar

   Closed on Friday afternoon for Jumu'ah prayer

   Usage

   In northern Nigeria, some places close for Friday Jumu'ah prayers

   Grammar Note

   "Asar" is the afternoon prayer among Islam's five daily prayers. Friday (Jumu'ah) is the holy day of congregational prayer. Hausa day names often derive from Arabic. The Friday congregational prayer itself is held around midday (zuhr); this sentence says the place is closed at asar time on Friday.

10. Wasan al'adu

    Wa-san al-'a-du

    Cultural performance

    Usage

    Refers to traditional music, dance, and performing arts

11. Kuna jin Turanci?

    Ku-na jin Tu-ran-ci?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Checking English ability with multiple people. "Kuna" is 2nd person plural

    Grammar Note

    "Turanci" literally means "language of the Turawa." Europeans were historically called "Turawa" (plural) in Hausa. English is widely spoken in Nigeria.

12. Ta yaya ake je can?

    Ta ya-ya a-ke je can?

    How do you get there?

    Usage

    Used to ask for directions to a destination

13. Nisa yana nawa?

    Ni-sa ya-na na-wa?

    How far is it?

    Usage

    Used to check the distance to a destination

14. Don Allah ka/ki kai ni da taksi

    Don Al-lah ka/ki kai ni da tak-si

    Please take me by taxi

    Usage

    Used to ask to be taken to a destination by taxi

15. Nawa ne kuɗin shiga?

    Na-wa ne ku-ɗin shi-ga?

    How much is the entrance fee?

    Usage

    Used to ask the admission price at tourist attractions

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