Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Hausa grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ali yana aiki a kasuwa.
Why is yana used in this sentence?
It’s the present progressive marker showing that Ali is currently or habitually working. In Hausa, yana (or yana + verb) typically translates to the English "he is (doing something)."
What is the function of a in a kasuwa?
In Hausa, a often means at, in, on, or to a location. Here, it indicates that Ali is working in or at the marketplace.
Could I say Ali na aiki a kasuwa instead?
Yes, you could. Na and yana both express present actions. Yana is a more explicit he is form, whereas na can stand alone as "(he) is working." Both are correct, with a slight difference in style.
Is there a difference between Ali yana aiki a kasuwa and Ali yana aiki without a kasuwa?
Yes. Dropping a kasuwa means "Ali is working" without specifying the place. Including a kasuwa clarifies that he is specifically working at the market.
Is the word kasuwa always written this way, or can it change?
It’s typically kasuwa in the nominative form when we refer to the market. The spelling doesn't change in the usual contexts—though if you use it in certain grammatical constructions, you might see different prefixes or suffixes attached in more advanced usage.
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io
You've reached your AI usage limit
Sign up to increase your limit.