Takalmin na fata ne.

to be

Breakdown of Takalmin na fata ne.

• na: of
• takalmi: the shoe
• fata: the leather; skin

Questions & Answers about Takalmin na fata ne.

Why is it takalmin instead of takalmi?

Takalmi is the basic dictionary form meaning shoe.

In this sentence, the noun is followed by a linked phrase, na fata, so Hausa uses a linked or construct form: takalmin. Many Hausa nouns change shape like this when something comes after them to describe or identify them.

So:

• takalmi = shoe
• takalmin na fata = shoe of leather / shoe made of leather

What does na fata mean exactly?

Na fata means of leather or made of leather.

Word by word:

• na = a linker meaning something like of
• fata = skin, hide, leather

In this context, the natural meaning is leather, so the whole phrase means made of leather.

What is na doing here?

Here, na is linking takalmin to fata.

It shows a relationship such as:

• possession
• association
• material

In Takalmin na fata ne, the relationship is material, so it means the shoe is of leather.

A useful point: this na agrees with the noun before it. Since takalmi is masculine singular, Hausa uses na here.

Why is ne at the end?