kyau
The Hausa word for beautiful is kyau.
kyau is used to describe something or someone that is attractive. It can also function as a noun meaning beauty or goodness in a general sense.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hausa, the way you express that something is beautiful depends on what you are describing. For inanimate objects, use the construction ya yi kyau, which literally means 'it has done beauty'. When complimenting people, the construction changes based on gender: for a man, use ka yi kyau. For a woman, use kin yi kyau. And to say a woman is beautiful, use ta yi kyau.
Did you know?
- While kyau describes general beauty, Hausa has specific terms for beauty based on the object, such as using different adjectives for a 'beautiful' voice versus a 'beautiful' face.
- The word kyau shares a conceptual space with the idea of 'correctness' or 'fitness', meaning something beautiful is often something that is 'right' or 'proper'.
- In Hausa, 'beauty' is often treated as an action that has been performed rather than a static quality, which is why you say someone 'has done beauty'.
Examples in context
- Hoton ya yi kyau.It's a beautiful picture.This sentence shows how to use kyau to describe a picture.Tatoeba #10845785 by ecorralest101, translation #2045770 by CK
- Kin yi kyau sosai.You look beautiful.This sentence shows how to use kyau to compliment a woman.Tatoeba #10835731 by ecorralest101, translation #954758 by CK
- Kafet ɗin ya yi kyau.This carpet is beautiful.This sentence shows how to use kyau to describe a carpet.Tatoeba #10842995 by ecorralest101, translation #1789182 by Spamster
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Umar are looking at a piece of art.
- AishaWannan zanen ya yi kyau.This painting is beautiful.
- UmarKwarai, launukan sun burge ni.True, the colors impressed me.
- AishaKyau ne ya sa ya ja hankali.Its beauty is what makes it attract attention.
- UmarGaskiya ne, Aisha.That is true, Aisha.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
