Word
Kana lafiya?
Meaning
Are you (masculine) well?
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
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Questions & Answers about Kana lafiya?
Why is it kana and not just a word for you?
In this sentence, kana already includes the idea of you plus are.
A simple learner-friendly way to think about it is:
- kana = you are (to one male)
- lafiya = well / healthy / okay
So Hausa does not need a separate word before kana the way English would need you in Are you well?
Does Kana lafiya? refer to a man only?
Yes. Kana lafiya? is used when speaking to one male.
The matching forms are:
- Kana lafiya? = to one male
- Kina lafiya? = to one female
- Kuna lafiya? = to more than one person
This is one of the first gender/number patterns Hausa learners usually notice.
What does lafiya mean exactly?
Lafiya has a broad meaning connected with:
- health
- wellness
- being okay
- peace/safety
So in greetings, it often works like fine, well, or okay, depending on context. That is why Kana lafiya? can sound like Are you well? or more naturally How are you?