lambar kuskure
In Hausa, the English phrase "wrong number" is translated as lambar kuskure.
lambar kuskure is a noun phrase used to refer to a telephone call where the number dialed was incorrect.
Meaning: A call with a mistake in the number dialled (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lamba (number) and kuskure (error/mistake).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word lamba (number) changes to lambar when it is followed by the noun kuskure (mistake) because the possessive particle na contracts into the noun.
Did you know?
- In many Northern Nigerian households, answering a call from an unknown number and realizing it is a lambar kuskure is often met with a polite 'Sannu' (hello/greetings) before hanging up, as a way to remain respectful to the stranger.
- If a person realizes they have called a wrong number, they might use the phrase Yi hakuri (be patient/forgive me) to apologize. This is more common than a literal translation of 'I am sorry' when rectifying a dialing mistake.
- The word lamba is also used in Hausa to refer to 'rank' or 'order' in a list, so a 'wrong number' could theoretically be interpreted as being in the 'wrong position' in a sequence.
Examples in context
- Shin wannan lambar kuskure ce?Is this a wrong number?
Example conversation
Ibrahim receives a phone call from a stranger.
- IbrahimIna son magana da Aisha.I want to speak with Aisha.
- AishaBa ni da ita, wannan lambar kuskure ce.I don't have her, this is a wrong number.
- IbrahimOh, yi hakuri.Oh, I am sorry.
- AishaBa damuwa.No problem.
