Igiyar takalmin baƙa ce.

Literally, it means the lace/string of the shoe.

• igiya = rope, string, cord, lace
• takalmi = shoe

So igiyar takalmin is the natural Hausa way to say shoelace.

Because Hausa often links two nouns in a possession-type structure: X of Y.

Here, igiya becomes igiyar to link it to the following noun:

• igiya = string/lace
• igiyar takalmin = lace of the shoe

The -r is a linker used with feminine singular nouns in this kind of construction.

takalmi is the basic form meaning shoe.
In this sentence, takalmin has an added final -n, which commonly marks the noun as more specific or determined in context.

So igiyar takalmin is understood as something like:

• the lace of the shoe
• or more naturally, the shoelace

A learner does not need to overthink this at first; it is enough to notice that takalmin comes from takalmi.

Because the noun being described is feminine singular.

• igiya is a feminine noun
• so black appears here as baƙa

Hausa often shows gender agreement in this kind of sentence.
If the noun were masculine singular, you would often see baƙi instead.

ce is the feminine singular predicate marker used in sentences like this.
In simple terms, it helps do the job that English is does in The shoelace is black.

So:

• Igiyar takalmin baƙa ce.
• = The shoelace is black.

Many learners can think of ce here as the feminine form used at the end of this kind of statement.

Because Hausa does not always use to be the same way English does.

In a simple descriptive sentence like this, Hausa often uses:

• the subject
• the description
• then ce or ne

So the structure is closer to:

• shoelace black ce

rather than a word-for-word version of shoelace is black.

Mostly yes, but not perfectly.

The order is:

• Igiyar takalmin = the shoelace
• baƙa = black
• ce = feminine predicate marker

So the basic flow is still easy for an English speaker:

• subject + description + ce

English puts is before the description, but Hausa finishes this type of sentence with ce.

ƙ is different from ordinary k.

It is a stronger, more forceful sound, often described as an ejective k.
So baƙa should not be pronounced exactly like baka.

A good beginner approach is:

• make a firm k sound
• keep it crisp and strong

Even if your ƙ is not perfect yet, it is good to notice that Hausa spelling treats k and ƙ as different sounds.

Yes, very often.

English likes compound nouns such as:

• shoelace
• toothbrush
• door handle

Hausa often expresses the same idea with a phrase meaning X of Y.

So igiyar takalmin is a very normal Hausa way to say shoelace.

Several parts point to that:

• igiya itself is a feminine noun
• the linker is -r: igiyar
• the adjective is baƙa
• the predicate marker is ce

So the sentence is a good example of how Hausa can show gender in more than one place.