Matsala da Magani
Chapter Overview
Chapter 18 continues Unit IV. In Chapter 17 you used tunda, idan, fiye da, and kamar to state and justify a preference, and continued tracking a named person across connected sentences. This chapter keeps those same systems active and applies them to a new communicative task: describing a problem clearly, proposing one or more solutions, and negotiating what to do next. No new grammar system is introduced. Instead, the same reason, condition, comparison, and reference-tracking forms continue developing toward consolidation, alongside a small set of new problem-and-solution vocabulary and the verb warware ("to solve, to untangle").
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe a familiar problem clearly using akwai matsala (there is a problem) and related expressions.
- Propose a solution using magani (solution, remedy) and the verb warware (to solve).
- Give a reason for a proposed solution using domin and tunda, continuing from Chapters 16–17.
- State a condition under which a different solution would be needed, using idan.
- Compare two possible solutions using fiye da and kamar.
- Offer a tentative suggestion using the new formulaic expression watakila (maybe, perhaps).
- Negotiate next steps and reach or defer a decision politely.
- Track a problem, person, or solution across several connected sentences without unnecessary repetition.
- Read and write a short, organized paragraph describing a problem and proposing a solution.
- Identify and self-correct common Unit IV errors in problem-solution language.
Communication Scenario
Amina and Bala's community group, last seen choosing a wedding venue in Chapter 17, now faces a new problem: the community hall they eventually agreed on has a leaking roof, and the wedding is only two weeks away. Over the course of this chapter, you will help describe the problem, propose solutions, and negotiate what the group should do.
- No new vocabulary domain beyond problems, solutions, and negotiation is required for this chapter.
- Reason and condition connectors (tunda, idan) and comparison expressions (fiye da, kamar) from Chapters 16–17 remain developing, not yet fully consolidated, and continue to appear in this chapter.
- Reference tracking across connected sentences, introduced in Chapter 16 and practiced in Chapter 17, is expected to continue without additional explanation of the underlying rule.
- Vocabulary and grammar from Units I, II, and III remain fully active and are expected to appear accurately.
Core Vocabulary
| Boko | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| matsala (pl. matsaloli) | problem | feminine; akwai matsala "there is a problem" |
| magani (pl. maganganu) | solution, remedy | masculine; also used for medicine in health contexts (Chapter 9) |
| warware | to solve, to untangle | verb; mun warware matsalar "we solved the problem" |
| shawara (pl. shawarwari) | suggestion, advice | feminine; ba da shawara "to give advice" |
| yanke shawara | to decide | fixed verbal expression, lit. "to cut a decision" |
| sabawa | to disagree, to differ | verb; also used for general mismatch |
| gaggawa | urgency, haste | noun; abin gaggawa "an urgent matter" |
| watakila | maybe, perhaps | formulaic; introduces a tentative suggestion |
| tsai da hankali | to stay calm, to settle one's mind | fixed expression used when negotiating under pressure |
| a takaice | in short, briefly | fixed expression for summarizing a problem or decision |
All items above are productive for this chapter. Vocabulary from Chapters 1–17 remains active and is expected to appear in your speaking and writing.
Pronunciation Focus
Pay attention to the tone pattern and vowel length of this chapter's key words: matsala, warware, and gaggawa. Note the doubled consonant in gaggawa, which must be held slightly longer than a single consonant, and the repeated syllable in warware, which should keep an even rhythm rather than speeding up on the second half of the word. As in earlier chapters, keep an even syllable rhythm across full sentences such as A takaice, akwai matsala kuma muna bukatar warware ta da sauri. This review consolidates pronunciation features already active since earlier chapters; no new sound or contrast is introduced here.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns
This chapter continues developing the four systems active since Chapter 16 — reason and condition, comparison, reference tracking, and controlled reading/writing — and applies them to problems and solutions. No new connector or comparison expression is introduced. Completive/perfective, negation, focus, and prepositional systems from Units I–III remain fully active.
18.1 Describing a problem with akwai matsala
- Akwai matsala a zauren al'umma: rufin yana yoyo.There is a problem at the community hall: the roof is leaking.
- Matsalar ita ce, bikin zai yi kwana goma sha huɗu kacal.The problem is that the celebration is only fourteen days away.
Akwai matsala introduces the existence of a problem, continuing the existential pattern from earlier chapters. Matsalar ita ce... ("the problem is that...") is a useful frame for stating the specific nature of a problem before proposing a solution.
18.2 Continuing: Reason and condition with tunda and idan
As in Chapters 16–17, tunda introduces a reason the listener already accepts, while idan introduces a genuine condition. Continue to use these connectors carefully, since they remain developing forms at this stage.
18.3 Continuing: Comparison with fiye da and kamar, and the new formulaic watakila
- Neman ma'aikacin gyara rufi da sauri ya fi jira fiye da amfani.Finding a roof repairman quickly is more useful than waiting.
- Watakila mu tambayi maƙwabta idan suna da wani wurin da za mu yi bikin.Maybe we should ask the neighbors if they have a place where we could hold the celebration.watakila = "maybe," softens a suggestion offered under uncertainty
Watakila ("maybe, perhaps") is a new formulaic expression that introduces a tentative suggestion without committing fully to it. It is introduced here as a formulaic opener, not as a fully analyzed grammar system, and pairs naturally with a following clause stating the suggestion.
18.4 Continuing: Reference tracking while negotiating a solution
When a problem or a proposed solution has already been named, later sentences should continue with a pronoun, an omitted subject, or a short agreement/disagreement expression rather than restating the full problem or solution.
- Bala ya ba da shawarar neman ma'aikacin gyara rufi. Ya ce zai iya zuwa gobe da safe, kuma ba zai ɗauki lokaci mai tsawo ba.Bala suggested finding a roof repairman. He said he can come tomorrow morning, and it won't take a long time."Bala" named once; "ya" (he) tracks the reference afterward
Atisayen ƙa'ida — Grammar practice: Complete each sentence with the word or expression that fits.
- Akwai ___ (matsala/magani) a zauren al'umma, saboda rufin yana yoyo.
- ___ (Tunda/Idan) muna da ɗan lokaci kaɗan, dole mu yanke shawara da sauri.
- Gyara rufin ya fi neman wani wuri ___ (kamar/fiye da) sauƙi.
- ___ (Watakila/Maimakon) mu tambayi maƙwabta, don kada mu ɓata lokaci.
Model Dialogue
Yanayin hali: Amina da Bala sun gano cewa rufin zauren al'umma yana yoyo, kuma suna tattaunawa da Musa a kan yadda za a warware matsalar.
(Setting: Amina and Bala have discovered that the community hall's roof is leaking, and they are discussing with Musa how to solve the problem.)
Tambayoyin fahimta — Comprehension questions:
- What is the problem Amina describes at the start?
- What solution does Bala propose, and why does he prefer it?
- What alternative does Amina suggest, and with what condition?
- What does Musa ask Bala to do?
- What is the group's plan, stated at the end?
Guided Practice
Aikin gane — Recognition: Underline every problem-and-solution expression (akwai matsala, magani, warware, watakila), reason or condition connector, and comparison expression in the Model Dialogue.
Aikin zaɓi — Selection: Choose the correct word for each blank: (1) Akwai ___ (matsala/shawara) a gidan makwabci, ruwa ya shiga. (2) ___ (Watakila/Domin) mu kira likita, tunda yaron yana da zazzaɓi.
Aikin gyara maimaici — Reference-tracking correction: Rewrite the following short passage, replacing unnecessary name repetition with pronouns or omitted subjects where natural: Bala ya kira ma'aikaci. Bala ya bayyana matsalar. Bala ya jira amsa daga ma'aikacin.
Aikin kwatanta — Comparison practice: Write two sentences comparing two possible solutions to a familiar household or community problem, using fiye da in one and kamar in the other.
Listening Practice
Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following passage aloud, twice. Answer the questions after listening. This task assesses your comprehension of connected discourse about problems, reasons, and comparisons.
Sauraro — Matsalar Ruwa a Gidan Halima (Halima's Water Problem)
"Halima ta gano cewa babu ruwa a gidansu tun asuba. Ta yi zaton fanfo ne ya lalace, amma mijinta Sule ya ce watakila matsalar ta fi girma, domin ko gidan makwabta ma babu ruwa. Idan matsalar ta zo daga hukumar ruwa, ba za su iya warware ta da kansu ba. Sule ya ce, "A takaice, mu jira har zuwa la'asar, sa'an nan mu tambayi hukumar idan ruwa bai zo ba." Halima ta yarda, amma ta ce, idan ba a warware matsalar nan da yamma ba, za su bukaci siyan ruwa daga wani wuri, wanda ya fi tsada fiye da ruwan famfo."
Kula na sauraro — Questions: (1) What problem does Halima discover? (2) Why does Sule think the problem might be bigger than a broken tap? (3) What will the couple do if the problem is not solved by evening? (4) What comparison does Halima make about buying water?
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.)
Speaking Practice
Atisayen ƙa'ida — Controlled substitution drill
With a partner, take turns describing a familiar minor problem (a broken item, a delay, a missing person) and proposing one solution with domin or tunda as the reason.
Tattaunawa — Communicative task
Role-play a conversation in which two partners face a shared problem and negotiate between two possible solutions, each giving a reason and a comparison, using watakila at least once and reaching or deferring a decision, including one moment of communication repair.
Madadin karatu kai tsaye — Solo alternative
Record yourself describing a personal or family problem in at least six connected sentences, including one reason, one condition, and one comparison between two possible solutions, while tracking the problem or a named person across the sentences without repeating names unnecessarily.
Reading Practice
Read the short community message below. Underline every problem-and-solution expression, circle every reason or condition connector, and put a box around every comparison expression.
Saƙo — Matsalar Titi a Unguwarmu (Message: The Road Problem in Our Neighborhood)
Unguwarmu na fama da babbar matsala: babbar hanyar da ta haɗa mu da kasuwa ta lalace sosai bayan ruwan sama na makon jiya. Mota da mutane suna wahala wajen tafiya, tunda ramukan sun fi girma fiye da yadda suke a da. Wasu suna cewa, watakila hukumar gari za ta gyara ta, amma wasu kuma sun fi son mu tara kuɗi mu gyara ta da kanmu, domin jiran hukuma na iya ɗaukar lokaci mai tsawo. Idan ba a gyara hanyar nan da wata guda ba, matsalar za ta ci gaba da tabarbarewa musamman lokacin ruwan sama. A takaice, shugabannin unguwa sun yanke shawarar kiran taro don tattauna hanyoyin warware matsalar tare.
Tambayoyin fahimta — Comprehension questions:
- What problem is the neighborhood facing?
- Why do some residents prefer to raise money and repair the road themselves?
- What will happen if the road is not repaired within a month?
- What have the neighborhood leaders decided to do?
Writing Workshop
- Karanta saƙon da hankali. Reread the road-problem message and notice how it links a problem, a reason, a comparison, and a condition around a proposed course of action.
- Tsarawa. Plan a short paragraph describing a problem you know about (personal, family, or community), with at least one proposed solution, one reason, one comparison, and one condition.
- Rubuta. Write 120–150 words in Hausa. Include a problem statement with akwai matsala or matsalar ita ce, a proposed solution with magani or warware, one reason with domin or tunda, one comparison with fiye da or kamar, one condition with idan, and at least one instance of reference tracking.
- Duba jerin bincike. Check your draft against the checklist below.
- Rubuta siffa ta ƙarshe. Produce a clean final version.
Jerin binciken gyara — Editing checklist:
- A problem is clearly stated with akwai matsala or matsalar ita ce.
- A solution is proposed using magani, warware, or a related expression.
- A reason is expressed with domin or tunda.
- A comparison is expressed with fiye da or kamar.
- A condition is expressed with idan.
- At least one named person or problem is tracked afterward with a pronoun or omitted subject, not repeated by name.
- Prior systems from Units I–III remain accurate where they appear.
- No grammar beyond Chapter 18 appears.
- Special characters (ɓ, ɗ, ƙ) and the apostrophe/glottal convention are used accurately.
Culture and Communication
When a problem arises within a family or community group, many Hausa speakers favor phrases such as tsai da hankali ("stay calm, settle your mind") and a takaice ("in short") to keep negotiation focused and unhurried, even when a matter is genuinely urgent. This preference for composure during negotiation is common but not universal, and direct, fast-moving problem-solving is also appropriate depending on the relationship, setting, and severity of the problem.
Some communities and registers use additional expressions for describing urgency, proposing solutions, or deferring a decision beyond matsala, magani, and watakila. This course presents the productive default forms for this level; further regional and formal-register vocabulary is introduced for recognition in later volumes.
Common Mistakes
Error: *Magani na matsalar shine likita. (using magani as if it could only mean medicine, producing an unclear sentence)
Correction: Maganin matsalar shine mu nemi ma'aikacin gyara rufi. — Magani means "solution" or "remedy" in a general sense, and in the problem-solution domain it should be followed by a clause or noun phrase naming the actual solution, not treated as automatically referring to medicine.
Error: *Bala ya kira ma'aikaci. Bala ya bayyana matsalar. Bala ya jira amsa. (repeating the name in every sentence)
Correction: Bala ya kira ma'aikaci. Ya bayyana masa matsalar, sa'an nan ya jira amsa. — Once a person has been named, continue with a pronoun, an omitted subject, or a connector, as is natural in connected Hausa narration.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter you learned to describe a problem with akwai matsala and matsalar ita ce, propose a solution with magani and warware, and offer a tentative suggestion with the new formulaic expression watakila. You continued developing reason and condition with tunda and idan, comparison with fiye da and kamar, and reference tracking across connected sentences. You applied these systems to negotiating solutions in family and community problems, while continuing to recycle vocabulary and grammar from Units I through III.
Chapter Review
Sashi na A — Kalmomi (Vocabulary)
1. Give the Hausa for: problem, solution, to solve, suggestion, to decide, urgency, maybe, in short.
Sashi na B — Nahawu (Grammar)
1. Write one sentence using akwai matsala and one using matsalar ita ce, both describing a familiar problem.
2. Write one sentence proposing a solution with domin as the reason, and one sentence with watakila as a tentative suggestion.
3. Rewrite this passage to correct unnecessary name repetition: Sule ya gano matsalar. Sule ya gaya wa Halima. Sule ya nemi shawara.
Sashi na C — Karatu da Rubutu
1. Reread the road-problem message and summarize it in two to three English sentences.
2. Write your 120–150-word paragraph, following the Writing Workshop instructions.
Sashi na D — Magana
1. With a partner or instructor, perform the communicative negotiation task from the Speaking Practice section.
Practical Performance Task
Aikin Aiwatarwa
Matsala da Magani — My Problem-and-Solution Project
Complete all four components:
- Listening: Listen to the Halima's Water Problem passage read aloud and answer the comprehension questions.
- Speaking: With a partner, role-play a conversation in which you negotiate between two possible solutions to a shared problem, each giving a reason and a comparison, and reach or defer a decision, including one instance of communication repair.
- Reading: Read the road-problem message and answer the comprehension questions.
- Writing: Submit your 120–150-word paragraph describing a personal, family, or community problem and proposing a solution.
Evaluation criteria: clear problem statement with akwai matsala or matsalar ita ce; a proposed solution with magani or warware; accurate use of tunda and idan in appropriate contexts; accurate comparison with fiye da or kamar; natural use of the formulaic watakila; natural reference tracking across sentences; natural use of communication repair; accurate ordinary Boko spelling and special characters; successful integration of problem-and-solution vocabulary with recycled Unit I–III material. Consistent with A2–B1 expectations, comprehensible and task-fulfilling communication should not be penalized as though produced by an advanced speaker.
Independent Study Tools
Self-check: Can you describe a problem, propose a solution and a reason for it, compare it to another possible solution, and name a condition that would change your plan — all while tracking a named person or problem across two or three sentences without repeating the name — without looking back at this chapter? If not, review Sections 18.1–18.4 before attempting the performance task.
Vocabulary review method: Sort your flashcards from this chapter with your Chapter 16 and 17 cards and quiz yourself on which words describe a problem, a solution, a reason, or a tentative suggestion.
Extra practice: Write three additional sentences describing problems you or people you know have faced, proposing a different solution and reason in each, and read them aloud checking your tone and rhythm against a listening model when available.
Answer Key / Amsoshi
Aikin zaɓi (Word selection)
- Akwai matsala a gidan makwabci, ruwa ya shiga.
- Watakila mu kira likita, tunda yaron yana da zazzaɓi.
Aikin gyara maimaici (Reference-tracking correction)
Sample: Bala ya kira ma'aikaci. Ya bayyana matsalar, sa'an nan ya jira amsa daga shi. (Other natural revisions that reduce repetition are acceptable.)
Aikin kwatanta (Comparison practice)
Sample: Gyara famfo ya fi siyan sabon famfo fiye da tsada. / Muna son maganin da ya fi sauƙi kamar yadda muka tattauna. (Other accurate comparisons are acceptable.)
Atisayen ƙa'ida (Grammar practice, Section 18)
- Akwai matsala a zauren al'umma, saboda rufin yana yoyo.
- Tunda muna da ɗan lokaci kaɗan, dole mu yanke shawara da sauri. (idan also acceptable depending on intended meaning)
- Gyara rufin ya fi neman wani wuri fiye da sauƙi. (kamar acceptable in a different sentence frame)
- Watakila mu tambayi maƙwabta, don kada mu ɓata lokaci.
Tambayoyin fahimta na tattaunawa (Dialogue comprehension)
- The roof of the community hall is leaking, and the wedding is only fourteen days away.
- Bala proposes quickly finding a roof repairman, because fixing the roof is easier than finding another place.
- Amina suggests asking the neighbors for another place, on the condition that a repairman isn't found right away.
- Musa asks Bala to call the repairman today.
- They will wait for the result of Bala's call, then contact the neighbors if necessary.
Kula na sauraro (Listening responses)
(1) Halima discovers there is no water in their house since early morning. (2) Sule thinks the problem might be bigger because the neighbors also have no water. (3) If the problem isn't solved by evening, they will need to buy water from elsewhere. (4) Halima compares that buying water is more expensive than tap water.
Tambayoyin karatu (Reading comprehension)
- The neighborhood is facing a badly damaged road after last week's rain.
- Some residents prefer to raise money themselves because waiting for the government could take a long time.
- If the road isn't repaired within a month, the problem will worsen, especially during rain.
- The neighborhood leaders have decided to call a meeting to discuss solutions together.
Sashi na B (Chapter Review grammar)
- Sample: Akwai matsala, motar ba ta tashi ba. / Matsalar ita ce, kuɗin ya ƙare kafin ƙarshen wata. (Other accurate sentences are acceptable.)
- Sample: Za mu iya gyara ta da kanmu, domin ma'aikaci zai yi tsada. / Watakila mu jira har gobe kafin mu yanke shawara.
- Sule ya gano matsalar. Ya gaya wa Halima, kuma ya nemi shawara.
Sashi na C (Sample writing)
Akwai matsala a gidanmu: fanfo na dakin wanka ya lalace tun mako guda. Muna gwammace mu nemi ma'aikacin famfo da sauri, domin ruwan yana ɓarnata kayan gida. Idan ma'aikacin bai zo ba nan da kwana biyu, watakila za mu gyara shi da kanmu, ko da yake hakan ya fi sauran hanyoyi wahala fiye da kiran gwani. A takaice, mun yanke shawarar jiran amsar ma'aikacin kafin mu yi wani abu.
Other accurate, well-formed passages meeting the stated requirements are equally acceptable.
Looking Ahead
Abin da ka/ki koya — What you have learned
You have added problem-and-solution expressions, including the formulaic watakila, and continued developing reason, condition, comparison, and reference-tracking systems in the domain of negotiating solutions, while continuing to recycle vocabulary and grammar from Units I through III.