We have traveled a long road together. We have learned to greet and to complain. We have learned to tell time and to talk about the weather. We have learned to arrange meetings, to entertain guests, to travel, to make reservations. We have learned to talk about family, about feelings, about society, about numbers, about directions, about transportation, about requests. It has been a thorough journey.
But no journey is complete without the things we forgot. There are always gaps. There are always phrases that slip through the cracks. There are always situations that we did not anticipate. And that is what this final course is about. It is about the questions and answers that we missed along the way.
Let us begin with a truth: in Nigeria, no conversation is ever truly finished. There is always one more thing to say. There is always one more question to ask. The language is alive, and it moves faster than any textbook. So let us catch up. Let us fill the gaps.
Shopping and Bargaining
We talked about the market, but we did not talk enough about the art of buying. In Nigeria, shopping is not a transaction. It is a performance. These phrases help you hold your own.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
How much is this? Nawa ne wannan? Elòó ni èyí? How much be this? Ego ole bụ nke a? Noye ɗum?
That is too expensive Ya yi tsada sosai Ó wọ́n jù E too expensive Ọ dị oke ọnụ Ɗum tiiɗi sanne
Reduce the price Rage farashin Dín iye owó kù Reduce the price Belata ọnụ ahịa Ustu njoɓdi
Last price? Farashin ƙarshe? Iye owó tó kẹ́yìn? Last price? Ọnụ ahịa ikpeazụ? Njoɓdi sakkitiindi?
I will pay... Zan biya... Mo máa san... I go pay... M ga-akwụ... Mi yoɓata…
Give me change Ba ni canji Fún mi ní ẹ̀yà Give me change Nye m ego mgbanwe Hokku lam ceede
I am just looking Ina kallo kawai Mo ń wò ó ni I just dey look Ana m elele Mi ndaara koo
Do you have another one? Kana da wani? Ṣé o ní òmíràn? You get another one? Ị nwere nke ọzọ? A naɓa goɗɗum?
I will come back Zan dawo Mo máa padà wá I go come back M ga-alọghachi Mi ruttoto
Thank you for the trade Na gode da ciniki Ẹ ṣé fún òwò Thank you for business Daalụ maka azụmahịa Jaraama njulaagu
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Apologising and Forgiveness
We talked about complaining, but we did not talk about saying sorry. In Nigeria, apology is a ritual. It must be done properly. These phrases help you mend what is broken.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
I am sorry Yi haƙuri Ẹ má bínú Sorry Ndo Hakkilo
I am very sorry Yi haƙuri sosai Ẹ má bínú gan Sorry well well Ndo nke ukwuu Hakkilo sanne
Forgive me Ka gafarta mini Dárí mi jọ̀wọ́ Forgive me Gbaghara m Yaafo lam
I made a mistake Na yi kuskure Mo ṣe àṣìṣe I make mistake Emehiere m Mi bonnii
It was not intentional Ba da gangan ba Kì í ṣe lọ́nà àìmọ̀ I no mean am Ọ bụghị n'amaụma Mi waɗaani ɗum e ɓernde
Please do not be angry Don Allah kada ka yi fushi Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ má bínú Abeg no vex Biko ewelakwala iwe Achu taa tikku
I will not do it again Ba zan sake ba Mi kò ní tún ṣe é mọ́ I no go do am again Agaghị m eme ya ọzọ Mi waɗtataa kadi
Can you forgive me? Za ka gafarta mini? Ṣé o lè dárí mi? You fit forgive me? Ị nwere ike ịgbaghara m? A mbaawi yaafude lam?
I accept your apology Na karɓi gafara Mo gba àforíjì I accept your apology Anabatala m mgbaghara gị Mi jaɓii yaafoore
Let us move forward Mu ci gaba Ẹ jẹ́ ká tẹ̀síwájú Make we move forward Ka anyị gaa n'ihu Ndeen yahdu yeeso
Congratulations and Celebrations
Life is full of milestones. Births. Weddings. Graduations. Promotions. These phrases help you celebrate with the people you love.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
Congratulations! Barka! Ẹ kú oríire! Congrats! Ekele! Barke!
Happy birthday Barka da ranar haihuwa Ẹ kú ọjọ́ ìbí Happy birthday Ezi ụbọchị ọmụmụ Barka ñalnde jibinam
Happy wedding Barka da aure Ẹ kú ìgbéyàwó Happy wedding Ezi agbamakwụkwọ Barka dewgal
Happy new year Barka da sabuwar shekara Ẹ kú ọdún tuntun Happy new year Ezi afọ ọhụrụ Barke hitaande hesere
Well done Sannu da aiki Ẹ kú iṣẹ́ Well done Ọ dị mma Baawɗe
You have done well Ka yi kyau O ṣe dáadáa You do well Ị mere nke ọma A moƴƴii
I am proud of you Ina alfahari da kai Mo ń gbéraga fún ọ I proud of you Enwere m mpako maka gị Mi mbaɗi ma teddungal
May God bless you Allah ya albarkace ka Ọlọ́run yóò bùkún fún ọ God go bless you Chineke ga-agọzi gị Alla barkitoo ma
Let us celebrate Mu yi biki Ẹ jẹ́ ká ṣe ayẹyẹ Make we celebrate Ka anyị mee emume Ndeen waɗu juhjo
Enjoy yourself Ji daɗi Gbádùn ara rẹ Enjoy yourself Nwee obi ụtọ Weltaa hoore ma
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Sympathy and Condolence
Life also brings loss. Death. Illness. Hardship. These phrases help you offer comfort when words are hard.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
Sorry for your loss Yi haƙuri da rashin Ẹ má bínú fún àdánù Sorry for your loss Ndo maka mfu gị Hakkilo e hasara
My condolences Ta'aziyyata Ìkẹ̀dùn mi My condolences Nkasi obi m Mi yetti ma
May his soul rest in peace Allah ya ji ƙanshin ransa Kí ẹ̀mí rẹ̀ sinmi ní àlàáfíà Make him soul rest in peace Ka mkpụrụ obi ya zuru ike Alla newnanɗina wonki
May her soul rest in peace Allah ya ji ƙanshin ranta Kí ẹ̀mí rẹ̀ sinmi ní àlàáfíà Make her soul rest in peace Ka mkpụrụ obi ya zuru ike Alla newnanɗina wonki
Take heart Yi haƙuri Kó ọkàn rẹ Take heart Nwee obi ike Muñal
God will comfort you Allah zai yi maka ta'aziyya Ọlọ́run yóò tu ọ ninu God go comfort you Chineke ga-akasi gị obi Alla newnitanma ma
We are with you Muna tare da kai A wà pẹ̀lú rẹ We dey with you Anyị nọnyere gị Min woni e ma
Do not lose hope Kada ka fidda rai Má ṣe pàdánù ìrètí No lose hope Efunahụla olileanya Taa fewtu jikke
This too shall pass Wannan ma zai wuce Èyí pẹ̀lú yóò kọjá This one go pass too Nke a ga-agafe kwa Ɗum kadi ɓennata
We are praying for you Muna addu'a gare ka A ń gbàdúrà fún ọ We dey pray for you Anyị na-ekpe ekpere maka gị Min no du'anaade ma
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Encouragement and Hope
Sometimes people need more than sympathy. They need strength. These phrases help you give it.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
Do not give up Kada ka daina Má ṣe juwọ́ sílẹ̀ No give up Ekwela ka ike gwụ gị Taa accu
Keep trying Ci gaba da ƙoƙari Tẹ̀síwájú nínú ìgbìyànjú Keep trying Nọgide na-anwale Jokku etteende
You can do it Za ka iya O lè ṣe é You fit do am Ị nwere ike ime ya A mbaawi ɗum
I believe in you Na yarda da kai Mo gbà ọ́ gbọ́ I believe in you Ekwere m na gị Mi ngoongɗini ma
You are strong Kana da ƙarfi O lágbára You strong Ị dị ike A naɓa doole
Do not be afraid Kada ka ji tsoro Má bẹ̀rù No fear Atụla egwu Taa hulu
Tomorrow will be better Gobe zai fi kyau Ọ̀la yóò dára jù Tomorrow go better Echi ga-aka mma Jaŋngo ɓurata
You are not alone Ba ka kaɗai ba Ìwọ kò dá nìkan You no dey alone Ị nọghị naanị gị A wonaa koo
Keep your head up Ka ɗaga kanka Gbé orí rẹ sókè Hold your head up Welie isi gị elu Ɗoftu hoore ma
God is with you Allah yana tare da kai Ọlọ́run wà pẹ̀lú rẹ God dey with you Chineke nọnyere gị Alla woni e ma
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Small Talk and Filler Phrases
Not every conversation is deep. Sometimes you just need to fill the silence. These phrases help you do it naturally.
English Hausa Yoruba Pidgin Igbo Fulfulde
How is the family? Yaya iyali? Báwo ni ẹbí? How family? Kedu ka ezinụlọ dị? No ɓesngu?
How is work? Yaya aiki? Báwo ni iṣẹ́? How work? Kedu ka ọrụ dị? No golle?
What is new? Me ya faru? Kí ló ṣẹlẹ̀? Wetin dey happen? Gịnị na-eme? Ko waɗi kesum?
Long time no see Kwana biyu Ó pẹ́ tí a kò rí ara wa Long time no see Oge dị anya Dumunnde mi yi'aani ma
How is your health? Yaya lafiya? Báwo ni ìlera? How your body? Kedu ka ahụ ike gị dị? No cellal ma?
The weather is nice today Yanayi yana da kyau yau Ojú ọjọ́ dára lónìí Weather nice today Ihu igwe dị mma taa Weeyo moƴƴi hannde
What did you eat? Me ka ci? Kí ni o jẹ? Wetin you chop? Gịnị ka ị riri? Ko nyaamɗaa?
I am just passing by Ina wucewa ne kawai Mo ń kọjá ni I just dey pass Ana m agafe Mi ɗaanii
It is good to see you Yana da kyau ganin ka Ó dára láti rí ọ E good to see you Ọ dị mma ịhụ gị Weltee yiytude ma
Let us talk later Mu yi magana daga baya Ẹ jẹ́ ká sọ̀rọ̀ lẹ́yìn Make we talk later Ka anyị kwuo okwu ma emechaa Ndeen haalde caggal
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The Grammar of the Gaps
As we fill these gaps, we notice something. The same patterns appear again and again.
In Hausa, the verb yi means "to do" or "to make." It is used in yi haƙuri—to be patient, yi biki—to celebrate, yi kuskure—to make a mistake. The verb is the building block of expression.
In Yoruba, the verb ṣe means "to do" or "to make." It is used in ṣe àṣìṣe—to make a mistake, ṣe ayẹyẹ—to celebrate, ṣe ìrànlọ́wọ́—to help. The verb is the engine.
In Nigerian Pidgin, the verb dey marks the continuous. I dey sorry. I dey celebrate. I dey pray. It is the heartbeat of the language.
In Igbo, the verb me means "to do" or "to make." Me emume—to celebrate. Mehie—to make a mistake. Me mgbaghara—to forgive. The verb is the foundation.
In Fulfulde, the verb waɗde means "to do" or "to make." Waɗde juhjo—to celebrate. Waɗde goopi—to make a mistake. Waɗde yaafoore—to forgive. The verb is the root.
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How to Practice the Gaps
You cannot learn these phrases from a book. You learn them by living.
Apologise when you are wrong. Do not wait. Say it quickly. Say it clearly. Yi haƙuri. Ẹ má bínú. Sorry. Ndo. Hakkilo.
Celebrate with people. When someone has good news, celebrate with them. Learn the phrases of congratulations. Use them generously.
Comfort the grieving. When someone is in pain, do not avoid them. Go to them. Sit with them. Say the words of condolence. Your presence is the message.
Encourage the weary. Everyone needs encouragement. Learn the phrases of hope. Speak them over your friends. Speak them over yourself.
Fill the silence. Not every conversation needs to be profound. Sometimes it is enough to say, "How is the family?" and listen to the answer.
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The Fifty-First Question
There is one question that is not on the list. It is the question you ask yourself when you have learned all these phrases: Have I said everything that needed to be said?
In Nigeria, there is a saying: Ilé làbọ̀ sinmi oko—it is at home that one rests after the farm. It means that the journey is not complete until you return. It means that the conversation is not finished until you have said what matters.
So learn these final phrases. Use them. But remember that the most important thing you can bring to any conversation is not your vocabulary. It is your presence. It is your willingness to stay. It is your commitment to see the conversation through to the end.
And that commitment needs no translation.
It is called love.
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