Ina kewarku
The English phrase 'I miss you' is translated into Hausa as Ina kewarku.
Meaning: I miss you (phrase)
Which one should you use?
While Ina kewarku is the default form, you can change the suffix to target a specific person: use Ina kewarka for a single male and Ina kewarki for a single female.
How does it change in a sentence?
To adjust the phrase for a single person, replace the suffix -ku with -ka for a masculine singular subject or -ki for a feminine singular subject.
Did you know?
- Hausa is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used when saying Ina kewarku can change the nuance of the emotion being conveyed.
- In many Hausa-speaking regions, expressing deep longing through words is often considered less powerful than showing it through 'nuna kulawa', which means 'showing care' via practical actions.
- The suffix -ku in 'Ina kewarku' is actually the plural form, meaning you are technically saying 'I miss you all' if you use it with a single person in a formal setting.
Examples in context
- Ina kewarku sosai.I miss you all very much.
- Ina kewarku, yaushe za ku dawo?I miss you, when will you all return?
Example conversation
Ibrahim calls Fatima on the phone.
- IbrahimSannu Fatima, ina kewarku.Hello Fatima, I miss you.
- FatimaNa gode Ibrahim, ni ma ina kewarku.Thank you Ibrahim, I miss you too.
- IbrahimYaushe za ki zo gida?When will you come home?
- FatimaZan zo gobe insha Allah.I will come tomorrow, God willing.
