Ruwa yana da amfani.

to be

Breakdown of Ruwa yana da amfani.

• ruwa: the water
• da amfani: useful

Questions & Answers about Ruwa yana da amfani.

Why does the sentence use yana instead of a direct equivalent of "is"?

In Hausa, there isn’t always a direct single-word translation for the English verb "to be." Instead, yana (from the verb na) typically indicates a continuous or present state of being. Here, it shows that ruwa (water) has the quality of being da amfani (beneficial).

What does da mean here, and why is it used?

Da can mean "with," "and," or sometimes function like "has." In this sentence, yana da is a structure indicating possession or a state. So, yana da amfani signifies "it possesses usefulness" or "it is beneficial."

How important is word order in this sentence?

Hausa word order is quite flexible, but typically you’ll see the subject (Ruwa) first, followed by the auxiliary or aspect marker (yana), then da and the complement (amfani). Rearranging these parts would alter the meaning or make the sentence sound unnatural.

Can amfani be used in other contexts, and does its form change?

Yes, amfani means "use," "benefit," or "advantage." You can see it in phrases like bayar da amfani ("to be useful/beneficial"). Typically, amfani remains in this form unless it’s part of a larger compound or a phrase that affects word endings.

Is there any alternative way to say Ruwa yana da amfani?

Some speakers might drop yana and say Ruwa na da amfani, which is also acceptable in modern Hausa. The difference is dialectal preference or spoken style. Both express the same idea—water is beneficial.