Common Hausa proverbs and figurative idioms with their meanings explained, for an upper-level learner. Front: the Hausa idiom. Back: English meaning and usage note.
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- Hannu ɗaya ba ya ɗaukar jinka
- "One hand cannot lift a big load." A proverb about the need for cooperation and unity.
- Kadan-kadan har ya kai dubu
- "Little by little, until it reaches a thousand." A proverb about how small, steady efforts accumulate into something great.
- Rashin sani ya fi dare duhu
- "Ignorance is darker than the night." A proverb warning that not knowing is worse than any darkness.
- Alheri ba ya ɓacewa
- "A good deed is never lost." A saying that kindness is always eventually rewarded.
- Mai hankuri ya kan dafa dutse har ya sha romonsa
- "The patient person cooks a stone until they drink its broth." A famous proverb about patience eventually paying off.
- Gaskiya ta fi ƙarfi
- "Truth is stronger than anything." A saying that truth ultimately prevails.
- Baki ɗaya
- Literally "one mouth." Idiom for unanimous agreement, acting together as one.
- Ciki ya ɓaci
- Literally "the stomach has spoiled." Idiom for being upset or unhappy.
- Zuciya ta tashi
- Literally "the heart rose." Idiom for being startled or anxious.
- Fuska ta ruɗe
- Literally "the face got confused." Idiom for embarrassment or confusion.
- Kunya ta kama ni
- Literally "shame caught me." Idiom for "I am ashamed."
- Tsoro ya kama ni
- Literally "fear caught me." Idiom for "I am afraid."
- Fushi ya kama ni
- Literally "anger caught me." Idiom for "I am angry."
- Murna ta cika ni
- Literally "joy filled me." Idiom for "I am overjoyed."
- Zuciya biyu
- Literally "two hearts." Idiom for indecision, being of two minds.
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