Shirye-shirye da Gayyata
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Make an invitation to do something together and respond to one — accepting, declining, or proposing an alternative time or place.
- Use subjunctive subject-pronoun forms to make proposals, suggestions, and desired-action statements, including in sequences where a subjunctive result clause follows a future or conditional premise.
- Consolidate the future construction with za, including its first-person singular contracted form, and produce negative future sentences with the complete discontinuous ba … ba construction.
- Contrast the three central aspect constructions — continuative, completive, and future — in a single connected exchange about what someone is doing now, what they did before, and what they plan to do.
- Agree on a time and place for an arrangement and revise the plan when circumstances change.
- Use object pronouns and indirect-object frames in invitation and arrangement contexts.
- Write an invitation and a confirming or declining reply of 130–160 words in standard Boko.
Communication Scenario
A friend contacts you to invite you to a gathering next weekend. You want to accept but need to check a detail about the time. You also have a suggestion about where to meet first. Later, a change in your work schedule forces you to ask about moving the arrangement to a different day. This chapter prepares you to navigate the full arc of that interaction — from the first invitation through negotiation and confirmation — in Hausa.
- In Chapter 14 you learned the future construction with za and its negative. Chapter 17 consolidates those forms and builds on them by adding the subjunctive, which you have met in two earlier contexts: the fixed ku-form commands of Chapter 2 and the subjunctive-based commands and negative commands of Chapter 11. This chapter brings the subjunctive into fully productive use for proposals, suggestions, and desired-action sequencing. The subjunctive is the natural grammar of saying "let's," "I want you to," "shall we," and similar inviting or planning expressions.
- The central communicative challenge of this chapter is choosing among three subject-aspect constructions according to meaning and context. When you say Yana tafiya, you describe an ongoing activity now. When you say Yā tafi, you report a completed event. When you say Za ya tafi, you express future intent or prediction. These three are not interchangeable, and this chapter gives you the tools to select among them accurately in the same conversation.
Core Vocabulary
Shirye-shirye da gayyata — Invitations and arrangements
Most of the social vocabulary below is new in this chapter. The verbs are drawn from earlier chapters wherever possible; the invitation and planning vocabulary is the new domain.
| Hausa | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| gayyata | invitation; to invite (verbal noun: gayyata) | the verb and its verbal noun share the same form; verify gender of the noun: f. |
| gayyaci | to invite (someone) | the transitive verb form; ya gayyace ni = he invited me — flag for expert review: object-conditioned form |
| goro | to accept, agree (in many contexts) | verify: na yarda is also common for "I agree / I accept" — both listed as alternatives here; flag for review |
| yarda | to agree, consent, accept | verbal noun: yardar / yarda; common in acceptance responses |
| ƙi | to refuse, decline | verbal noun: ƙi; use with tact — see culture section |
| shirya | to arrange, prepare, get ready | verbal noun: shirya / shirye-shirye (preparations, pl.) |
| tattauna | to discuss, converse, arrange | verbal noun: tattaunawa |
| tafi tare | to go together | tare = together; use with tafi and other motion verbs |
| sadu da | to meet (someone) | reviewed from Ch. 3 and Ch. 16 |
| jira | to wait (for) | verbal noun: jira; ina jiran ka = I am waiting for you (m.) |
| kira | to call (someone); to phone | verbal noun: kira; na kira ka = I called you (m.) |
| aika | to send (a message) | verbal noun: aika / aikawa |
| canza | to change, alter | verbal noun: canza; za mu canza lokaci = we will change the time |
| dace | to suit, be convenient, fit | verbal noun: dacewa; yaushe ya dace da kai? = what time suits you? |
Wuraren taruwa da ayyukan zamantakewa — Venues and social activities
| Hausa | English | Gender / Plural |
|---|---|---|
| biki | celebration, party, ceremony | m.; pl. bukukuwa |
| liyafa | reception, feast, dinner party | f.; pl. liyafai |
| taro | meeting, gathering, assembly | m.; pl. tarurruka |
| gidan abinci | restaurant | m.; lit. "house of food" |
| filin wasa | playing field, sports ground, park | m.; wasa = play, sport |
| gidan sinima | cinema | m. |
| masallaci | mosque | m.; pl. masallatai |
| coci | church | m. |
| ofis | office | m.; reviewed from Ch. 16 |
| unguwa | neighborhood, quarter | f.; pl. unguwanni |
Lokaci da ranakun mako — Time and days of the week (reviewed and extended)
You learned days of the week in Chapter 7. The expressions below extend that knowledge for making and adjusting plans.
| Hausa | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| gobe | tomorrow | reviewed from Ch. 14 |
| gata | the day after tomorrow | flag for expert review: frequency and preferred form in Kano Hausa |
| mako mai zuwa | next week | lit. "the coming week" |
| ran karshe mako | the weekend | also: ƙarshen mako; flag for preferred form |
| da dare | in the evening / at night | reviewed from Ch. 16 |
| da rana | during the day / in the afternoon | reviewed from Ch. 16 |
| tun da safe | from morning / early in the morning | |
| a karfe … | at … o'clock | reviewed from Ch. 7; a karfe biyu = at two o'clock |
| kimanin karfe … | around … o'clock | kimanin = approximately |
| daga … zuwa … | from … to … | for spans of time: daga karfe uku zuwa biyar |
Amsoshi ga gayyata — Responding to invitations
| Hausa | English | Function |
|---|---|---|
| To, zan zo. | All right, I will come. | acceptance |
| Na yarda. | I agree / I accept. | acceptance |
| Madalla! Mun amince. | Excellent! We are agreed. | confirmation |
| Ina fatan zan iya. | I hope I will be able to. | tentative acceptance |
| Nagode, amma … | Thank you, but … | polite decline — opener |
| Yi haƙuri, ba zan iya ba. | I'm sorry, I will not be able to. | polite decline |
| Za mu iya canza lokaci? | Can we change the time? | requesting a revision |
| Wane lokaci ya dace da kai/ki? | What time suits you (m./f.)? | asking what is convenient |
| Da ni ne, … | As for me, … / For my part, … | introducing a preference or alternative |
Pronunciation and Boko
Tone and vowel length in subjunctive subject-pronoun forms
The subjunctive subject-pronoun forms introduced in this chapter are short and carry distinctive tone and vowel length. Several of them look identical or very similar to other forms in print — a genuine challenge in unmarked Boko. Listening to your audio source and instructor is essential; do not attempt to infer the correct form solely from the written word.
The first-person singular subjunctive is in (that I … / let me … / I should …). It is a single syllable with a short vowel. Compare: the first-person singular completive nā has a long vowel and different tone; the continuative ina has two syllables; the future particle zan precedes the verb in a different structural position. All four forms signal different relationships between the speaker and the action. The subjunctive in appears in contexts of purpose, proposal, or desired-action sequences — not in independent statements about what the speaker is doing or has done.
You learned in Chapter 14 that the future construction uses za plus the appropriate subject form. The first-person singular combination contracts in natural speech to zan (I will …). The written forms you will encounter are: zan tafi (I will go), za ka tafi (you [m.] will go), za ta tafi (she will go), za mu tafi (we will go). Pay special attention to the contracted zan — it is not two words and must not be read as za + a separate element. Its tone and vowel length differ from the subjunctive form in and from the completive nā. Your audio source is the reference; verify before recording.
Invitation and response intonation
Invitations in Hausa, as in all spoken languages, carry a characteristic intonation that signals friendliness and openness rather than a simple command or statement. Practice the model dialogue's invitations — Mun gayyace ku zuwa liyafar and Za mu iya tafi tare? — with a rising or sustained pitch at the end that signals you are awaiting a response. A flat or sharply falling tone may make the same words sound like a statement rather than an invitation. The distinction is not marked in Boko but is a real feature of spoken Hausa; your instructor or audio source should model it for you.
Calendar dates and clock times in connected speech
When giving a specific time or date for an arrangement, the numbers and time words tend to run together quickly in natural speech. Practice the phrases a karfe biyu da rabi (at half past two), ran Laraba da yamma (Wednesday evening), and daga karfe uku zuwa biyar (from three to five o'clock) as single prosodic units — not word by word. Verify the pronunciation of cardinal numbers in these phrases against your audio source, since the tone and vowel length of numbers are not marked in ordinary Boko.
Grammar Instruction
17.1 The subjunctive: form, meaning, and use
Purpose: make proposals, suggestions, and desired-action statements; form the subjunctive base for sequencing and purpose clauses.
You have already used the subjunctive in two contexts without analyzing its full system:
- In Chapter 2, the fixed expression ku + verb was introduced for group commands: Ku zauna (Sit down, everyone). That ku is the second-person plural subjunctive subject form.
- In Chapter 11, subjunctive forms were used for commands to a group, negative commands with kada, and purpose expressions. Chapter 14 extended those into purpose clauses with domin.
Chapter 17 makes the subjunctive fully productive across all persons and genders for proposals, suggestions, desired actions, and clause sequencing. The subjunctive subject-pronoun forms are shown below, alongside the continuative and completive forms you already know, so you can see the full picture at once.
| Person and gender | Continuative (Ch. 7) | Completive (Ch. 16) | Subjunctive (Ch. 17) | English equivalent (subjunctive) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. (I) | ina | nā | in | that I / let me / I should |
| 2nd sg. masc. (you, m.) | kana | kā | ka | that you (m.) / you should |
| 2nd sg. fem. (you, f.) | kina | kin | ki | that you (f.) / you should |
| 3rd sg. masc. (he) | yana | yā | ya | that he / he should / let him |
| 3rd sg. fem. (she) | tana | tā | ta | that she / she should / let her |
| 1st pl. (we) | muna | mun | mu | let us / that we / we should |
| 2nd pl. (you pl.) | kuna | kun | ku | that you all / you all should |
| 3rd pl. (they) | suna | sun | su | that they / they should / let them |
Flag for expert review: The tone and vowel length of every subjunctive subject-pronoun form must be verified against Kano-based Standard Hausa by a qualified specialist before audio production. Several forms are identical in spelling to other forms (e.g., subjunctive ka and relative completive ka; subjunctive ta and relative completive ta); the distinction is tonal and must be confirmed. The note-line in the continuative/completive comparison table in Chapter 16 applies equally here.
The subjunctive appears in the following high-frequency uses in this chapter. In each case, the subjunctive subject-pronoun form directly precedes the lexical verb.
17.2 Proposals and suggestions: "let's" and "shall we"
Purpose: propose a joint activity or invite someone to do something together.
The first-person plural subjunctive mu produces the Hausa equivalent of "let's" when followed by a verb. This is one of the most natural ways to extend an invitation or make a suggestion in everyday Hausa conversation:
- Mu tafi gidan abinci.Let's go to a restaurant.mu (1pl subjunctive) + tafi (verb)
- Mu zauna mu tattauna.Let's sit down and discuss it.mu + zauna, mu + tattauna — two subjunctive clauses in sequence
- Mu sadu da karfe uku.Let's meet at three o'clock.
- Mu canza lokaci zuwa Talata.Let's change the time to Tuesday.
To make the suggestion a question — "shall we?" — use rising intonation or add the question word ko at the end:
- Mu tafi tare, ko?Shall we go together?
- Mu sadu da safe, ko?Shall we meet in the morning?
English expresses proposals and desired actions through several different structures: "let's go," "why don't we go," "shall we go," "I'd like you to go," "I want him to go." Hausa handles many of these with one systematic tool: the subjunctive subject-pronoun form plus verb. Understanding this helps you produce a wide range of social interactions — invitations, requests for someone to do something, suggestions, and sequences of actions — using one grammar pattern rather than several unconnected phrases. The key is selecting the right person form: mu + verb for joint proposals, ka/ki + verb after an expression of wanting or needing someone else to act, ya/ta + verb when the intended actor is a third person, and so on. Once you learn the system for proposals, the same forms work naturally in purpose clauses and sequencing, as Sections 17.3 and 17.4 show.
17.3 Desired-action frames: "I want you to …" and "I would like him to …"
Purpose: express what the speaker wants another person to do, using a matrix verb of wanting or wishing followed by a subjunctive clause.
When Hausa expresses a desire that someone else perform an action, the structure is: a matrix expression of wanting, wishing, or needing, followed by a subjunctive clause with the appropriate person form. The two most common matrix expressions at this stage are ina so (I want / I like) and ina fatan (I hope / I wish).
- Ina so ka zo.I want you (m.) to come.ina so (I want) + ka (2sg.m subjunctive) + zo (verb)
- Ina so ki sadu da ni jiya.I want you (f.) to meet me yesterday / I wanted you to meet me.Note: the subjunctive does not itself signal past or present; time reference comes from context and matrix verb tense.
- Ina fatan za ku zo.I hope you all will come.ina fatan (I hope) + za ku (future 2pl) — here the future is used in the embedded clause because the event is future; the subjunctive may also appear here depending on the speaker's intent — flag for expert review
- Muna so mu tafi tare.We want to go together.muna so (we want) + mu (1pl subjunctive) + tafi tare
- Ina so ya kawo labarinsa.I want him to bring his news / report.
Pedagogical note: The interplay between future za and the subjunctive in purpose and embedded contexts is an area where scholarly descriptions of Hausa can differ. This chapter teaches the most frequent and unambiguous cases. Items marked "flag for expert review" above should be confirmed by a Hausa-language specialist before audio production and final publication.
17.4 Clause sequencing: subjunctive result clauses after future and conditional premises
Purpose: connect a future plan or conditional premise to its intended or expected outcome using a subjunctive result clause.
In a sequence of actions where the first clause is future, conditional, or expresses intent, subsequent clauses that describe the desired or intended result often use the subjunctive. This is a key construction for making multi-step plans:
- Zan tafi kasuwa in saya kaya.I will go to the market to buy things / so that I can buy things.zan tafi (future) + in (1sg subjunctive) + saya kaya (purpose/result)
- Za ku zo mu tattauna.You all will come and we will discuss it / Come so we can discuss it.za ku zo (future 2pl) + mu (1pl subjunctive) + tattauna
- Zan kira ka in gaya maka lokaci.I will call you (m.) to tell you the time.zan kira ka (future + object pronoun) + in (1sg subjunctive) + gaya maka (tell you [indirect object])
- Za ta zo mu tafi tare.She will come and we will go together.
- Mu shirya yanzu mu isa a lokaci.Let's get ready now so we arrive on time.mu shirya (1pl subjunctive) + mu isa (1pl subjunctive) — two subjunctive clauses in sequence
Notice that in these sequences, the second clause does not need a new aspect marker or connector — the subjunctive subject form itself signals that this clause continues or completes the action introduced by the first clause. The structure is compact and natural. Compare the fuller connector-based alternative: Zan tafi kasuwa don in saya kaya (I will go to the market in order to buy things), where don makes the purpose relationship explicit.
17.5 Negative subjunctive with kada
Purpose: tell someone not to do something (negative command) or express a desired non-action, using kada plus the subjunctive.
You learned kada + subjunctive for negative commands in Chapter 11. This section consolidates those forms and extends them to the full range of persons:
| Person and gender | Negative subjunctive construction | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. | kada in … | that I should not … / I must not … |
| 2nd sg. masc. | kada ka … | don't (m.) … / you should not … |
| 2nd sg. fem. | kada ki … | don't (f.) … / you should not … |
| 3rd sg. masc. | kada ya … | he should not … / let him not … |
| 3rd sg. fem. | kada ta … | she should not … / let her not … |
| 1st pl. | kada mu … | let us not … / we should not … |
| 2nd pl. | kada ku … | don't (pl.) … / you all should not … |
| 3rd pl. | kada su … | they should not … / let them not … |
- Kada mu manta lokaci.Let's not forget the time.
- Kada ka yi latti.Don't be late (m.).
- Kada ki damu.Don't worry (f.).
- Kada su zo ba tare da gaya wa manzon ba.They should not come without telling the messenger.
17.6 Future consolidation: za and negative future
Purpose: review and consolidate the future construction from Chapter 14 alongside the subjunctive introduced above, and produce the negative future with the complete discontinuous ba … ba frame.
The complete future paradigm is reproduced here alongside the negative so you can compare both sets in one view. Study the first-person singular contracted form zan carefully — it is the most frequent future form in natural speech and the one most often misspelled or mis-analyzed.
| Person and gender | Affirmative future | Negative future | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. | zan (za ni → zan) | ba zan … ba | I will … / I will not … |
| 2nd sg. masc. | za ka | ba za ka … ba | you (m.) will … / will not … |
| 2nd sg. fem. | za ki | ba za ki … ba | you (f.) will … / will not … |
| 3rd sg. masc. | za ya | ba za ya … ba | he will … / will not … |
| 3rd sg. fem. | za ta | ba za ta … ba | she will … / will not … |
| 1st pl. | za mu | ba za mu … ba | we will … / will not … |
| 2nd pl. | za ku | ba za ku … ba | you all will … / will not … |
| 3rd pl. | za su | ba za su … ba | they will … / will not … |
Reminder from Chapter 14: The negative future uses the same discontinuous ba … ba frame as all Hausa completive negation, but it wraps around the entire za + subject form construction: ba za ka zo ba (you will not come), not *za ba ka zo ba. The ba precedes za, and the closing ba follows the verb and any objects. Both parts are required.
- Zan zo karfe huɗu.I will come at four o'clock.
- Ba zan iya zo da safe ba.I will not be able to come in the morning.
- Za mu sadu a gidan abinci.We will meet at the restaurant.
- Ba za ta iya canza ranakun ba.She will not be able to change the dates.
17.7 Contrasting continuative, completive, and future in a single exchange
Purpose: select the correct aspect construction according to meaning and time reference within a connected conversation.
This section draws together the three central aspect constructions you have studied over Chapters 7, 16, and 14. Compare them directly using the same verb and a shared context:
| Construction | Subject form (3sg.m) | Hausa | English meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuative | yana | Yana shirya aiki. | He is preparing / does prepare work. (ongoing / habitual) |
| Completive | yā | Yā shirya aiki. | He prepared / has prepared work. (completed) |
| Future | za ya | Za ya shirya aiki. | He will prepare work. (future) |
A single conversation about a plan can move through all three:
Yanayin hali: Nasir yana magana da Aminu game da shirye-shirye
Nasir: Aminu, yana aiki yanzu, ko? (Is he working now?)
Aminu: A'a, yā gama aiki. Yanzu yana hutu. (No, he has finished work. Now he is resting.)
Nasir: To. Za ya iya zo liyafar gobe? (Will he be able to come to the reception tomorrow?)
Aminu: Ina tsammani. Zan gaya masa. (I think so. I will tell him.)
Nasir: Madalla. Mu tafi tare, ko? (Excellent. Shall we go together?)
Aminu: To, mu tafi tare. (Yes, let's go together.)
Notice that within six lines, Nasir and Aminu use yana (continuative) to describe what is happening now, yā gama (completive) to report something finished, za ya iya (future) to discuss what will happen, zan gaya (future) for a personal plan, and mu tafi (subjunctive) to make a joint proposal. This is the natural grammar of planning conversation.
Desired action: ina so / ina fatan + subjunctive subject form + verb
Future + subjunctive sequence: za + subject form + verb + subjunctive subject form + verb
Select the subjunctive for proposals, desired actions, and sequenced results. Select the future (za) for independent predictions and plans. Do not use one as a substitute for the other; they occupy different positions and signal different relationships between the speaker and the action.
17.8 Object pronouns in invitation and arrangement contexts
Purpose: review direct-object and selected indirect-object pronouns in the context of making and confirming arrangements.
Invitation and arrangement conversations frequently involve referring back to people already mentioned, which requires object pronouns rather than repeated noun phrases. The direct-object pronouns were introduced in Chapter 9 and reviewed in Chapter 16. This section applies them in future and subjunctive contexts:
- Zan gayyace shi zuwa liyafar.I will invite him to the reception.zan gayyace (future + object-conditioned verb form) + shi (3sg.m DO)
- Za mu jira su a ƙofar.We will wait for them at the gate.
- Zan kira ki gobe in gaya maki lokaci.I will call you (f.) tomorrow to tell you the time.zan kira ki (future + 2sg.f DO) + in gaya maki (subjunctive + indirect object)
- Ya aika mana saƙo.He sent us a message.ya (completive relative or subjunctive — context clarifies) + aika + mana (indirect object pronoun: to us)
The indirect-object pronouns used above (maka = to you [m.], maki = to you [f.], mana = to us) were introduced in Chapter 13. This chapter reviews them in planning contexts where sending, telling, and calling another person are central actions.
Flag for expert review: The object-conditioned form of gayyata/gayyaci (invite) before a direct-object pronoun (shown above as gayyace) requires verification by a qualified Hausa-language specialist. The alternation is grade-related; use the forms in the vocabulary table as a guide and mark uncertain object-conditioned forms for correction.
Practice exercises
Atisayen A — Shawarwari (Making proposals):
Convert each suggestion into a "let's" proposal using the first-person plural subjunctive mu. Add ko? to the end of items 3 and 4 to make them questions.
- tafi gidan abinci →
- sadu da karfe biyar →
- canza lokaci zuwa Juma'a →
- shirya yanzu →
- jira su a ƙofar →
Atisayen B — Ina so … (Desired-action frames):
Write a sentence for each situation using ina so + the appropriate subjunctive form.
- You want her to come to the party. →
- You want him to send you a message. →
- You want them to wait at the mosque. →
- You want us (your own group) to discuss the plan. →
- You want you (f., a friend) to invite Maryam. →
Atisayen C — Zabi da ya dace (Aspect selection):
Choose the correct subject form — continuative, completive, or future — to complete each sentence. More than one answer may be possible; explain your choice.
- Yanzu ___ (3sg.m) karanta. (He is reading right now.)
- Jiya ___ (3sg.f) tafi kasuwa. (She went to the market yesterday.)
- Gobe ___ (1sg) zo da safe. (I will come in the morning.)
- Makon da ya gabata ___ (1pl) sadu da su. (We met them last week.)
- ___ (2sg.m) zo liyafar gobe? (Will you [m.] come to the reception tomorrow?)
Atisayen D — Amsa da takaita (Accepting and declining):
For each invitation, write one acceptance and one polite decline in Hausa. Use at least one of the fixed invitation-response expressions from the vocabulary table.
- Mu tafi filin wasa Asabar da rana, ko?
- Zan gayyace ku zuwa liyafar gobe da dare.
- Wane lokaci ya dace da kai don mu sadu?
Model Dialogue
Yanayin hali: Rakiya tana aika saƙo ga abokinta Musa ta wayar hannu. Suna tattauna shirye-shiryen biki.
(Setting: Rakiya is sending a message to her friend Musa by phone. They are discussing plans for a celebration.)
Vocabulary notes for the dialogue: auren 'yar'uwata = my sister's wedding (aure = marriage, wedding; 'yar'uwa = sister; f., lit. "daughter of the [same] mother"); barka da auren Hadiza = congratulations on Hadiza's wedding; takardar gayyata = invitation card (takarda = paper, card; f.); adireshi = address (loanword); lalle = certainly, of course; ci gaba = to continue, to go on (yana ci gaba = it is continuing); gaishe ta daga gare mu = greet her from us (gaishe = to greet; object-conditioned form — flag for review); Wa'alaikumus-salam = the standard Arabic-origin response to As-salamu alaykum, common among many Muslim Hausa speakers — not universal; Sai an jima = a farewell expression meaning "until we meet again" — flag for frequency in Kano Hausa.
Grammar notes for the dialogue: Kuna iya zuwa? — continuative-based ability question (from Ch. 13): kuna iya (2pl continuative + iya) + zuwa (verbal noun). Ina so mu zo duka — desired-action frame: ina so + mu (1pl subjunctive) + zo. Kada ku damu — negative subjunctive 2pl from Ch. 11 and Ch. 17. Zan gaya wa Haruna — future + indirect-object phrase. Zan gaya mata — future + indirect-object pronoun (mata = to her). These are natural patterns to notice and practice.
Tambayoyin fahimta — Comprehension questions:
- What is the occasion, and whose event is it?
- What time will the reception begin, and how long will it continue?
- Why will Musa and Haruna arrive later than the official start time?
- Find the sentence in which Rakiya tells Musa not to worry. Write it in Hausa and identify the negative subjunctive construction.
- Find two examples of a desired-action frame (ina so + subjunctive) in the dialogue. Write each in Hausa.
- What is the final agreed arrangement — day and time? Write the confirming sentence from the dialogue.
Listening
Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following passages aloud, twice each. Complete the listening tasks after each passage.
Sauraro na A — Gayyatar biki
"Sannu Ladi, ina fatan lafiya. Mun gayyace ku zuwa biki ran Lahadi da rana. Biki za ya fara da karfe biyu. Za mu sadu a gidanmu. Ka gaya wa matan aure da yara. Ina so ku zo duka. Kada ku manta lokaci — karfe biyu! Sai mun jima."
Sauraro na B — Canza shirye-shirye
"Nasiru, yi haƙuri, amma dole in canza shirye-shiryen mu. Ba zan iya zo Talata ba — na yi taro a ofis duk rana. Ina so mu canza zuwa Laraba. Wane lokaci ya dace da kai? Ni, zan iya daga karfe uku zuwa biyar. Idan ba ya dace da kai ba, za mu iya jira har Alhamis. Aika mini saƙo ka gaya mini."
Sauraro na C — Shirye-shiryen taro
"Muna shirin taro na mako mai zuwa. Za mu tattauna ayyukan zamantakewa na unguwanmu. Mun gayyaci shugaban unguwa da malaman makaranta da kansu. Za su zo mu tattauna shirye-shirye. Taro za ya yi Laraba da karfe goma da safe. Kada ku zo ba tare da shawarwarinku ba. Mu yi aiki tare."
Kula na A — Cikakkun bayanai (Details): Listen to Sauraro na A. Answer in Hausa: (1) Wane rana ne biki? (2) Biki zai fara da karfe nawa? (3) Ina za su sadu? (4) Me ne saƙon ƙarshe na mai magana — wane lokaci ya ce kada a manta?
Kula na B — Canza shirye-shirye (Changing plans): Listen to Sauraro na B. (1) Why can the speaker not come on Tuesday — write the reason in English. (2) Write the negative future sentence the speaker uses. (3) What day and time does the speaker propose as an alternative? Answer in Hausa. (4) What does the speaker ask Nasiru to do? Write the request in Hausa.
Kula na C — Gaskiya ko ƙarya? (True or false?): Listen to Sauraro na C. Mark T (true) or F (false), then correct the false items in Hausa. (a) Taro yana mako mai zuwa. (b) Za su tattauna abinci. (c) Shugaban unguwa an gayyace shi. (d) Taro zai yi Laraba da karfe goma.
Rubutun sauraro don malami, abokin karatu, ko amfani da rubutun lantarki. Duba amsoshi a sashi na amsoshi.
(Listening Script for Instructor, Partner, or Text-to-Speech Use. See Answer Key for expected responses.)
Reading
Read the two texts below carefully. Both use only grammar you have studied. As you read, identify every subjunctive form, every future construction, and every negative future. Notice how the three aspect constructions — continuative, completive, and future — interact within the same text.
Rubutu na 1 — Takarda ta gayyata (An invitation card)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Iyalin Malam Garba Maikudi na Kano suna gayyatar ku zuwa bikin auren
Zulaiha 'yar Malam Garba
da
Ibrahim ɗan Alhaji Musa Sani
Ranar aure: Asabar, 14 ga watan Zulhijja
Lokaci: Daga karfe takwas da safe
Wuri: Gidan Malam Garba Maikudi, Unguwar Naibawa, Kano
Muna fatan za ku iya halarta. Mu yi murna tare. Idan kuna da tambaya, ku aika saƙo ga Fatima: 080xxxxxxxx.
New words for recognition: iyalin = the family of; suna gayyatar ku = they are inviting you all (gayyatar here functions as a verbal noun in the continuative frame); bikin auren = the wedding celebration; ranar aure = the wedding day; watan Zulhijja = the month of Dhul Hijja (an Islamic calendar month — recognition only); halarta = to attend (halarta = verbal noun: attendance); mu yi murna tare = let us rejoice together.
Rubutu na 2 — Amsa ga gayyata (A reply to an invitation)
Sannu Fatima. Nagode sosai da karɓar takarda ta gayyata. Mun karanta ta da murna. Ina so in gaya miki cewa za mu zo mu yi buki tare da ku. Ba za mu iya zo da safe ba saboda aiki — amma za mu isa kimanin karfe goma da rabi, in Allah Ya yarda. Da ni ne, ina so in kawo kyauta ɗaya wa ma'auratan. Wane irin kaya ya dace da su? Za ki iya gaya mani? Zan yi farin ciki in sani. Barka da auren Zulaiha! Sai mun sadu.
New words for recognition: karɓar = receiving (verbal noun of karɓa, to receive/accept — flag: also common in completive context: mun karɓe ta); mu yi buki tare = let us celebrate together; in Allah Ya yarda = God willing (Arabic-origin formula common in Hausa speech; recognition only); kyauta = gift (f.); ma'auratan = the couple (pl. form — flag for expert review: gender and plural); wane irin kaya = what kind of goods/gifts.
Tambayoyin fahimta — Comprehension questions:
- In Rubutu na 1, whose wedding is it and what are the names of the two people getting married?
- What time does the celebration begin, and where is it being held?
- Find the subjunctive proposal in Rubutu na 1 that invites everyone to celebrate together. Write it in Hausa.
- In Rubutu na 2, why will the writer not be able to come in the morning? Write the negative future sentence used.
- What does the writer want to bring, and what question do they ask Fatima?
- List every subjunctive form you can find in Rubutu na 2 and state its person and intended use (proposal, desired action, or sequenced result).
Writing Workshop
- Karanta samfurin. Reread Rubutu na 2 above (the reply to an invitation). Underline every subjunctive form. Draw a box around every future construction. Circle every negative future sentence. Count how many of each you find.
- Zaɓi yanayin hali. Choose one of the following writing situations: (a) Write an invitation to a friend for an event of your choice — a small dinner, a trip to the market together, a study session, a sports event. (b) Write a reply to an invitation you received — you will accept but need to change the time slightly or ask one question about the arrangements.
- Tsarawa. Before writing, note: (1) the occasion or activity; (2) the proposed day and time; (3) the place; (4) at least one question or condition you want to raise; (5) how you will close the message politely.
- Rubuta farkon rubutunka. Write 130–160 words in Hausa. Your text must include: at least one proposal using mu + verb; at least one desired-action frame using ina so + subjunctive; at least one future sentence; at least one negative future or negative subjunctive with kada; at least one complete time expression (day + clock time if relevant).
- Duba da jerin bincike. Check your draft against the editing checklist below before writing the final version.
- Rubuta siffa ta ƙarshe. Produce a clean final version for your portfolio.
Jerin binciken gyara — Editing checklist:
- Every proposal uses the correct first-person plural subjunctive form mu followed immediately by the verb — not a continuative or completive form.
- Every desired-action frame uses ina so or ina fatan followed by the correct person-and-gender subjunctive form for the intended actor.
- Every future sentence uses za + subject form (or the contracted zan for first-person singular).
- Every negative future sentence includes both the initial ba before za and the closing ba after the verb. Neither element is missing.
- Every negative subjunctive command uses kada + the correct person form + verb.
- Time expressions are complete — they include a day, a time of day, or a clock time as appropriate to the context.
- Object pronouns appear in the correct form where a noun referent has already been established (shi, ta, su, etc.).
- Hooked letters (ɓ, ɗ, ƙ) and 'y are written correctly throughout, including in words such as ƙarshe, ƙofar, and 'yar'uwa.
- The text flows as a connected message — invitation, reply, or arrangement — not as disconnected grammar sentences.
- The opening and closing are appropriate for an informal message between friends.
Speaking Practice
Atisaye na ƙa'ida — Proposal drills
With a partner, take turns converting statements into proposals. Partner A says a future statement (e.g., Za mu tafi kasuwa); Partner B converts it into a "let's" proposal (e.g., Mu tafi kasuwa, ko?). Partner A accepts (To, mu tafi) or declines and proposes an alternative day or time. Do at least eight exchanges, using a different verb each time.
Gayyata da amsa — Invitation role-play
Partner A invites Partner B to an event of their choice. The invitation must include a day, a time, and a place. Partner B responds in one of three ways: (1) accepts immediately; (2) accepts but needs to change one detail; (3) declines politely and proposes a different activity. The exchange continues until an arrangement is confirmed or politely declined. Then switch roles. Neither partner should read from notes.
Kwatanta da bayani — Contrasting three constructions
Choose a person from earlier chapters in the course — a character from a dialogue, or an imagined person. Describe that person using all three constructions: (1) what they are doing right now (continuative); (2) what they did yesterday (completive); (3) what they will do next week (future). Then add one subjunctive proposal related to that person (e.g., "Shall we visit him?"). Speak for one to two minutes without notes. Your partner listens and asks one follow-up question using a different question word from the one you used.
Madadin karatu kai tsaye — Solo alternative
Record yourself making an invitation to an imaginary friend, including a proposed activity, day, time, and place; a reason the friend might need to change the plan; and a revised final arrangement you both agree on. Your recording should be 90–120 seconds. After recording, check: (1) Did you use mu + verb for at least one proposal? (2) Did you use ina so + subjunctive at least once? (3) Did you use a negative future or kada at least once? (4) Did you confirm the arrangement clearly?
Culture and Communication
In many Hausa-speaking communities, being invited to a significant event — a wedding, a naming ceremony (suna), a graduation, or a reception — carries social weight. Accepting an invitation is often understood as an expression of care and support for the host family, not merely as a personal scheduling decision. When someone is genuinely unable to attend, declining is done with clear expressions of regret, acknowledgment of the event's importance, and often a separate gesture of goodwill such as sending greetings or a gift. The phrase nagode, amma … (thank you, but …) followed by an honest explanation is a natural and accepted way to begin a polite decline.
These norms vary by relationship, community, and setting — a formal institutional invitation differs from a casual text between friends. Neither context requires elaborate scripts, but both benefit from the learner's awareness that the language of invitation is socially meaningful beyond its grammatical content.
Weddings and family celebrations in Hausa-speaking northern Nigeria and Niger are among the most socially significant recurring events in community life. They may span several days and involve distinct stages with their own practices, music, dress, food, and gift-giving conventions. A formal wedding reception (liyafar aure) often takes place separately from the Islamic marriage contract (auren Fatiha) and may involve music, elaborate food preparation, and hosting of large numbers of guests. Practices differ considerably across urban and rural settings, socioeconomic backgrounds, families, and regions. This chapter uses the wedding as a communicative context, not as an opportunity to generalize about what Hausa weddings are always or necessarily like.
The invitation vocabulary and fixed expressions in this chapter are drawn from Kano-based Standard Hausa. In Niger, some of the same social events may use French-influenced terms alongside Hausa ones — for instance, réception alongside liyafa, or French-influenced date formats in written invitations. In communities using Hausa as an additional language, code-switching between Hausa, French, English, Fulfulde, or other languages is common in informal invitation messages. This chapter does not require productive mastery of these variants, but learners should expect to encounter them and recognize the Hausa elements accurately.
Common Mistakes
Error: *Za mu tafi tare, ko? (using the future za mu tafi as an invitation or proposal)
Correction: Mu tafi tare, ko? — The future construction za mu tafi states a prediction or plan: "we will go together." The subjunctive mu tafi makes a proposal or invitation: "let's go together / shall we go together?" These are different speech acts. Using the future where a proposal is meant can sound like a statement of fact rather than an invitation, which may feel presumptuous rather than warm. Use mu + verb for invitations and proposals; add ko? or rising intonation to signal that you are asking rather than announcing.
Error: *Ba zan iya zo da safe. (missing the closing ba)
Correction: Ba zan iya zo da safe ba. — As with the negative completive (Chapter 16), the negative future requires both the initial ba and the closing ba. The initial ba comes before za; the closing ba comes after the lexical verb and any complement. Omitting either element leaves the sentence structurally incomplete. Check every negative sentence in your writing to confirm that both elements are present.
Error: *Ina so shi ya zo. or *Ina so yana zo. (using an independent pronoun or a continuative form in the desired-action clause)
Correction: Ina so ya zo. — The desired-action frame requires the subjunctive subject form directly before the verb: ya zo, not shi ya zo or yana zo. The independent pronoun shi is not used as a subject form in this position; it functions as an object or emphatic pronoun. The continuative yana signals an ongoing action, not a desired future action. Both errors are common transfers from English word order and English present-tense framing. Use the appropriate subjunctive form: ya for third-person masculine singular, ta for third-person feminine singular, mu for first-person plural, and so on.
Error: *Yā tafi kasuwa yanzu. Yana shirya aiki jiya. Za ya zo gobe. (using completive + time word "now," continuative + past time word, and future inconsistently)
Correction: The aspect form and the time expression must be compatible. The completive yā pairs with past time words (jiya, makon da ya gabata). The continuative yana pairs with now or habitual meaning (yanzu, frequency words). The future za ya pairs with future time words (gobe, mako mai zuwa). Mixing a completive form with yanzu, or a continuative with jiya, produces a contradiction. Always ask: is this event completed, ongoing, or future? Then select the matching subject form, and make sure any time word in the sentence reinforces the same time reference.
Error: *za ni tafi or *za n tafi (separating the contracted first-person singular future form)
Correction: Zan tafi. — In standard written Hausa, the first-person singular future is written as the single word zan, not as two words. This is a contracted form that has become standard. Writing it as za ni is not wrong in all contexts — some teaching materials present the uncontracted form — but zan is the more frequent form in natural speech and writing and is the course standard. Write it as one word, just as mun or kun are written as one word in the completive.
Chapter Review
Sashi na A — Kalmomi (Vocabulary)
1. Give the Hausa for: invitation, to invite (someone), to accept, to decline/refuse, to arrange/prepare, to wait (for), to change, to suit/be convenient.
2. Give the Hausa for: reception, celebration, meeting/gathering, restaurant, neighborhood, next week, the day after tomorrow, at approximately four o'clock.
3. Write out the four fixed expressions for responding to an invitation: one immediate acceptance, one tentative acceptance, one polite decline opener, and one request to change the time.
Sashi na B — Nahawu (Grammar)
1. Write the subjunctive subject-pronoun forms for: 1st sg., 1st pl., 3rd sg. masc., 3rd sg. fem., 2nd pl.
2. Write a proposal using mu + verb for each activity: (a) go to the restaurant; (b) meet at two o'clock; (c) discuss the plan; (d) change the day to Thursday.
3. Write a desired-action sentence for each: (a) You want him to come on Saturday. (b) You want her to send a message. (c) You want us to go together.
4. Write an affirmative future sentence and then its negative for: (a) I / come tomorrow; (b) She / able to change the time; (c) They / arrive at five o'clock.
5. Write three sentences about the same person using (a) continuative (what they are doing now), (b) completive (what they did yesterday), (c) future (what they will do next week). Use a different verb for each sentence.
6. Explain in your own words the difference between za mu tafi and mu tafi as communicative acts.
Sashi na C — Karatu (Reading)
1. Reread Rubutu na 2 (the invitation reply). List every future construction you find and state the person it refers to.
2. Find the negative future sentence in Rubutu na 2. Write it in full and identify: (a) the initial ba; (b) the za + subject form; (c) the verb and complement; (d) the closing ba.
3. Find all subjunctive forms in Rubutu na 2. For each, state: (a) the person and gender; (b) whether it is a proposal, a desired action, or a sequenced result.
Sashi na D — Rubutu (Writing)
1. Write a message of 130–160 words to a friend inviting them to an event of your choice. Include the event name, day, time, place, and at least one condition or question. Use at least one proposal (mu + verb), one desired-action frame (ina so + subjunctive), one future, one negative future or kada sentence, and an appropriate opening and closing.
Sashi na E — Magana (Speaking)
1. Without notes, invite your partner to an event and negotiate the day, time, and place. The conversation should include at least one revision to the original plan. Your partner must respond authentically — accepting, declining, or asking to change one detail. Then switch roles.
Bitar gaba ɗaya — Cumulative review (completive, future, subjunctive, objects, indirect objects)
1. For each situation, write the correct Hausa sentence using the aspect or mood specified:
(a) She came to the party last Saturday. (completive)
(b) We will meet them at the restaurant tomorrow. (future)
(c) Let's call him now. (subjunctive proposal)
(d) He did not send the message. (negative completive)
(e) You all will not be able to come on Wednesday. (negative future)
2. Replace the underlined elements with the correct pronouns:
(a) Zan gaya wa Musa lokaci. (indirect object)
(b) Ina so Rakiya ta zo. (note: she is already mentioned — replace as appropriate)
(c) Sun jira ni da ƙanena a ƙofar. (direct object, 1pl)
3. Write a four-line dialogue in which one person invites another, the other asks about the time, the first person replies and adds a follow-up instruction using kada, and both confirm the arrangement.
Chapter Performance Task
Aikin Aiwatarwa
Shirya Taro — Arranging a Meeting
You and a classmate or partner are organizing a small gathering for a group of friends. You need to agree on what to do, when to meet, where to meet, and how to communicate the plan to others. Complete both components:
- Oral component: Without notes, negotiate a plan for the gathering in a two- to three-minute conversation with your partner. You must: propose at least two different activities using mu + verb; agree on a day, time, and place; use ina so + subjunctive at least once to express what you want the other person or a third party to do; use at least one negative future or kada statement; and close the negotiation with a confirmed arrangement. Then switch roles and negotiate a different plan.
- Written component: Write a message of 130–160 words to the friends who will be invited. The message must: announce the event with full details (day, time, place); include at least one mu + verb proposal; include at least one future statement and one negative future; include a kada reminder or instruction; end with an appropriate closing. The message should read naturally as an invitation, not as a grammar exercise.
Evaluation criteria: correct use of subjunctive forms for proposals and desired actions; correct use of future za with the complete negative where required; correct aspect selection (continuative, completive, or future) according to time reference; complete negative constructions (both elements present); object and indirect-object pronouns in correct form; full time expressions; accurate Boko spelling including hooked letters and 'y; natural, connected message structure with appropriate opening and closing.
Answer Key / Amsoshi
Atisayen A — Shawarwari (sample answers)
- Mu tafi gidan abinci.
- Mu sadu da karfe biyar.
- Mu canza lokaci zuwa Juma'a, ko?
- Mu shirya yanzu, ko?
- Mu jira su a ƙofar.
Atisayen B — Ina so … (sample answers)
- Ina so ta zo bikin.
- Ina so ya aika mani saƙo.
- Ina so su jira a masallaci.
- Ina so mu tattauna shirin.
- Ina so ki gayyaci Maryam.
Atisayen C — Zabi da ya dace (sample answers)
- yana karanta. (continuative — "right now")
- tā tafi kasuwa. (completive — "yesterday")
- Zan zo da safe. (future — "tomorrow")
- mun sadu da su. (completive — "last week")
- Za ka zo liyafar gobe? (future question — "tomorrow")
Atisayen D — Amsa da takaita (sample responses)
- Acceptance: To, zan zo. Mu tafi tare! / Decline: Nagode, amma ba zan iya zo Asabar ba. Ina da aiki.
- Acceptance: Na yarda. Za mu zo. Wane lokaci ne liyafar? / Decline: Yi haƙuri, ba za mu iya zo ba. Za mu aika gaisuwa.
- Response: Da ni ne, Laraba da karfe uku ya fi dacewa. Ko Alhamis da yamma?
Tambayoyin fahimta na tattaunawa (Dialogue comprehension)
- It is a wedding reception (liyafar aure) for Rakiya's sister Hadiza.
- The reception will begin at three in the afternoon (karfe uku da rana) and continue until evening.
- They work until noon (tsakar rana) on Saturday.
- Kada ku damu — liyafar za ta ci gaba har dare. Negative subjunctive: kada ku damu = don't (2pl) worry; ku is the 2pl subjunctive form after kada.
- Desired-action frames: (1) Ina so mu zo duka. (2) Ina so ka gaya wa Hadiza gaishe ta daga gare mu.
- Final arrangement: Mun amince — Asabar da karfe huɗu.
Kula na sauraro (Listening responses)
Kula na A: (1) Lahadi. (2) Karfe biyu. (3) Gidan mai magana. (4) Karfe biyu — kada ku manta lokaci — karfe biyu!
Kula na B: (1) The speaker has a meeting at the office all day on Tuesday. (2) Ba zan iya zo Talata ba. (3) Laraba, daga karfe uku zuwa biyar. (4) Aika mini saƙo ka gaya mini. — Send a message to tell them.
Kula na C: (a) T. (b) F — Za su tattauna ayyukan zamantakewa, ba abinci ba. (c) T. (d) T.
Tambayoyin karatu (Reading comprehension)
- The wedding of Zulaiha (daughter of Malam Garba) and Ibrahim (son of Alhaji Musa Sani).
- From eight in the morning (karfe takwas da safe); at the house of Malam Garba Maikudi in Unguwar Naibawa, Kano.
- Mu yi murna tare. — 1pl subjunctive proposal: let us rejoice together.
- Because of work — Ba za mu iya zo da safe ba saboda aiki.
- The writer wants to bring a gift (kyauta) for the couple; they ask: Wane irin kaya ya dace da su? (What kind of goods/gifts suits them?)
- Subjunctive forms in Rubutu na 2: in gaya miki — 1sg subjunctive, sequenced result after ina so; mu zo — 1pl subjunctive, desired action in ina so mu zo; in kawo kyauta — 1sg subjunctive, desired action in ina so in kawo; in sani — 1sg subjunctive, sequenced result after zan yi farin ciki. Other valid identifications accepted with explanation.
Bitar gaba ɗaya — Sashi na B (sample answers)
- (a) Tā zo bikin Asabar da ya gabata. (b) Za mu sadu da su a gidan abinci gobe. (c) Mu kira shi yanzu. (d) Bài aika saƙon ba. (e) Ba za ku iya zo Laraba ba.
- (a) Zan gaya masa lokaci. (b) Ina so ta zo. (c) Sun jira mu a ƙofar.
- Sample: A: Mu tafi gidan abinci Asabar, ko? B: Wane lokaci? A: Karfe uku. Kada ki manta. B: To, mun amince — karfe uku Asabar.
Sashi na D — Rubutu (sample invitation message)
Sannu Maryam. Ina fatan lafiya. Muna shiryin ƙaramin taro don aboki. Ina gayyatar ki zuwa gidanmu ran Juma'a da dare. Taro zai fara da karfe takwas. Mu ci abinci mu yi magana tare. Ina so ki zo da AbdulRahman — na gayyace shi ma. Idan ba za ku iya zo Juma'a ba, za mu iya canza zuwa Asabar. Aika mini saƙo ki gaya mani. Kada ki manta kawo abinci ɗaya idan kina iya — kowane irin ya dace. Mun amince. Sai Juma'a!
Other accurate, well-formed messages are equally acceptable.
Looking Ahead
Abin da ka/ki koya yanzu — What you know now
Chapter 17 has consolidated the subjunctive as a productive system for proposals, desired actions, and sequenced results. You can now make and respond to invitations, negotiate times and places, express what you want someone else to do, and sequence a future plan across multiple clauses. You have also consolidated the future construction with za alongside its negative and reinforced the three-way contrast between continuative, completive, and future that is central to all Hausa conversation about time. The combination of these tools — aspect contrast, subjunctive for proposals and desires, future for predictions and plans, and connectors for sequencing — gives you the grammar of making arrangements in Hausa. Together with the completive narration of Chapter 16, you now have both a way to talk about the past and a way to plan the future.