ka ci abinci?
The Hausa phrase for "have you eaten?" is ka ci abinci?
This phrase is used to ask if someone has had a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ka ci abinci? literally translates to "you eat food?", where ka means "you" (masculine), ci means "eat" and abinci means "food".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hausa, you must change the pronoun based on whom you are addressing: use kin ci abinci? when asking a female and use kun ci abinci? when asking a group of people.
When do people say it?
Asking if someone has eaten is a common way to show care or to greet someone in Hausa culture, performing a similar social function to asking "how are you?" A common short response to this question is na ci (I have eaten).
Did you know?
- The word ci is a distant relative of the Arabic word taʔtaʔa, which means 'to stammer' or 'to mumble'. Both words likely share an ancient root referring to the movement of the lips.
- Because the greeting is so central to showing care, failing to ask ka ci abinci? when welcoming a guest can be perceived as a lack of generosity or warmth.
- In some contexts, asking ka ci abinci? is a subtle way to begin a conversation about a person's general well-being without asking directly if they are sick or struggling.
Examples in context
- Ka ci abinci?Have you eaten?
- Yau ka ci abinci?Have you eaten today?
Example conversation
Zainab greets Ibrahim at home.
- ZainabSannu Ibrahim, ka ci abinci?Hello Ibrahim, have you eaten?
- IbrahimA'a, ban ci ba.No, I haven't eaten.
- ZainabTo, zo mu ci abinci.Okay, let's eat.
- IbrahimNa gode, Zainab.Thank you, Zainab.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ci, CC BY-SA 4.0.
