kai
/kái/
The English phrase "wow" is translated into Hausa as kai.
kai is an exclamation used to express amazement or surprise.
Meaning: amazement (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
kai is a colloquial expression.
How do you pronounce it?
/kái/
Did you know?
- In Hausa, kai is also the word for 'head'. While the exclamation expresses amazement, the noun refers to the physical part of the body.
- In certain Northern Nigerian contexts, using kai with a specific rising intonation can transform a compliment into a sarcastic remark about someone's mistake.
- The word kai is a cognate with the Tashelhit word kyy, showing a linguistic link between Hausa and Berber languages of North Africa.
Examples in context
- Wow, kai dan baiwa ne.Wow, you're such a genius.This example shows how to use kai to express amazement at someone's intelligence.Tatoeba #10889459 by ecorralest101, translation #6794056 by Hybrid
- Kai, amma fa ya yi kyau.Wow, that's so cool.This example shows how to use kai to express amazement at how cool something is.Tatoeba #10894516 by ecorralest101, translation #7421728 by Hybrid
- Wow! Lallai kai dan baiwa ne.Wow! You must be a genius.This example shows how to use kai to emphasize that someone is a genius.Tatoeba #10889461 by ecorralest101, translation #6794058 by Hybrid
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ibrahim and Fatima are looking at a beautiful piece of traditional art.
- IbrahimKai, wannan abun ya yi kyau!Wow, this thing is beautiful!
- FatimaHaka ne, lallai ne.That's true, indeed.
- IbrahimKai, ba zan iya yarda ba.Wow, I can't believe it.
- FatimaGaskiya ne, Ibrahim.It is true, Ibrahim.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
