mata
/màː.táː/
The Hausa word for wife is mata.
The word mata is used to refer to a female partner in a marriage. Depending on the context, it can also function as the plural form meaning wives.
Meaning: female partner in a marriage (noun)
Which one should you use?
While mata is the standard term, it can also represent the plural wives. To specify a single wife in relation to someone else, the form changes to matar.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use the word to mean "the wife of" (for example, when followed by a possessive pronoun or another noun), mata changes to the form matar.
How do you pronounce it?
/màː.táː/
Did you know?
- In traditional Hausa culture, referring to one's wife as matata ('my wife') in public is common, but in very formal or conservative settings, some may use more indirect terms to show modesty.
- Because Hausa allows for polygyny, the plural form mata is frequently used in legal and social contexts to discuss a man's multiple wives without needing additional adjectives.
- The term matar is used in common compound phrases to describe specific roles, such as matar gida, which literally means 'wife of the house' but refers to the primary housewife.
Examples in context
- Kana kewar matar ka?Do you miss your wife?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use mata when asking if someone misses their wife.Tatoeba #10886879 by ecorralest101, translation #6479084 by AlanF_US
- Matata ‘yar China ce.My wife is Chinese.This sentence shows how to use mata to identify a person's nationality.Tatoeba #10816285 by ecorralest101, translation #250912 by CN
- Mary matar yayana ce.Mary is my older brother's wife.This sentence demonstrates how to use matar to describe a relative's wife.Tatoeba #10898111 by ecorralest101, translation #7827998 by CK
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Ibrahim are talking about a wedding guest.
- AishaWane ne wannan namijin?Who is this man?
- IbrahimShi ne mijin mata ta.He is my wife's husband.
- AishaKayi kuskure, Ibrahim.You are mistaken, Ibrahim.
- IbrahimYi hakuri, shi ne mijin mata ta.Sorry, he is my wife's husband.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mata, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
