mata ta
The English phrase "my wife" is translated into Hausa as mata ta.
This phrase is used to refer to the woman to whom a person is married.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun mata (wife) and the possessive pronoun ta (my/mine for feminine nouns).
How does it change in a sentence?
In many Hausa dialects and in rapid speech, the possessive pronoun ta is often suffixed directly to the noun as -ta, resulting in the form matata.
Did you know?
- A husband may refer to his wife as uwar gida, which means 'mother of the house' even if the couple has no children.
- Because polygyny is practiced in some Hausa communities, a husband might specify mata ta ta farko to refer to his 'first wife'.
- In some poetic or formal Hausa speech, a husband might refer to his wife as abokiyar zama, which means 'partner of living'.
Example conversation
Ibrahim is introducing his spouse to Zainab.
- ZainabWanene wannan macen, Ibrahim?Who is this woman, Ibrahim?
- IbrahimWannan ita ce mata ta.This is my wife.
- ZainabSannu da zuwa.Welcome.
- IbrahimNa gode, Zainab.Thank you, Zainab.
