na gode
In Hausa, "thank you" is expressed as na gode.
Na gode is an expression of gratitude used to say "thank you".
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase na gode literally means "I have thanked" or "I am thankful". The particle na acts as a perfective marker for the first-person singular, and gode is the verb meaning "to thank".
Is it said differently in some regions?
While na gode is commonly used in Sokoto and nearby regions, the form Nagode is frequently used in Kano and the surrounding areas.
How does it change in a sentence?
Although the phrase na gode does not explicitly include an object, it is used to mean "I thank you". To say "thank you for [something]", place the preposition da after the phrase, resulting in na gode da…
When do people say it?
When someone says na gode, a common response is Ba komai, which means "It is nothing" or "You're welcome".
Did you know?
- Hausa is a Chadic language, and the structure of na gode reflects a grammar system that is very different from the Niger-Congo languages spoken in many other parts of Africa.
- In Hausa culture, saying na gode is often accompanied by a slight bow or a lowering of the head to show respect, especially when thanking an elder.
- In some Northern Nigerian settings, the intensity of your gratitude is often signaled by how many times you repeat na gode in quick succession.
Examples in context
- Na gode da hakan.I thank you for your courtesy.This example shows how to use na gode to thank someone for their courtesy.Tatoeba #10874858 by ecorralest101, translation #5083512 by jhomel
- Na gode da gayyata.Thank you for the invitation.This example shows how to use na gode to thank someone for an invitation.Tatoeba #10863250 by ecorralest101, translation #3439394 by CK
- Na gode da jagorar ku.Thank you for your guidance.This example shows how to use na gode to thank someone for their guidance.Tatoeba #10865892 by ecorralest101, translation #3732739 by CK
- Na gode, Boss.Thank you for completing the project on time.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Musa gives Zainab a gift.
- ZainabMusa, na gode sosai.Musa, thank you very much.
- MusaBa komai, Zainab.It's nothing, Zainab.
- ZainabKyautar tana da kyau.The gift is beautiful.
- MusaNa ji dadin hakan.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
