Menene sunanka?
The English phrase "what is your name?" is translated into Hausa as Menene sunanka?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone for their name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Menene sunanka? breaks down into mene meaning "what", ne acting as the copula "is" and sunanka which combines sunan (name) with the masculine possessive suffix -ka (your).
Which one should you use?
Hausa distinguishes between male and female listeners through the possessive suffix used in the question. Use sunanka when speaking to a male and sunanki when speaking to a female.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word sunanka uses the masculine possessive suffix -ka to refer to a male listener, whereas the form sunanki uses the feminine possessive suffix -ki to refer to a female listener.
When do people say it?
To answer the question, use Sunana followed by your name.
Did you know?
- In certain traditional settings, a person might respond to 'what is your name?' by providing their father's name or their lineage rather than their given name to show their identity through their family.
- The phrase Menene sunanka? is understood across a vast region of West Africa because Hausa serves as a lingua franca for trade between different ethnic groups.
- Hausa is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used when saying sunanka can change the meaning of the word entirely if not pronounced correctly.
Examples in context
- Menene sunanka?What is your name?
Example conversation
Abdullahi and Aisha meet for the first time at a community event.
- AbdullahiSannu! Menene sunanka?Hello! What is your name?
- AishaSannu, sunana Aisha.Hello, my name is Aisha.
- AbdullahiNi kuma Abdullahi ne.And I am Abdullahi.
- AishaNa ji dadi sanin ka, Abdullahi.I am glad to know you, Abdullahi.
