Zarma is a widely spoken language in Niger and parts of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, rich in culture, history, and everyday expression. Learning a few common Zarma phrases is a great way to connect with its speakers and appreciate the traditions behind the language.
Greetings in Zarma
| English | Zarma |
|---|---|
| Good evening. | Mate araŋ wicire |
| Good morning. | Mate araŋ kani |
| Good afternoon. | Mate araŋ goo |
| How are you? | Nigoo baani? |
| How are you today? | Mate no ni goo huŋkuna? |
| I am fine. | Samay noo ay goo. |
| Have a good day. | Zaaro ma boori. |
| I am doing great. | Ay na irkoy saabu. |
| Hi / Hello. | Fofo |
| Nice to meet you. | Barkaŋ da ni diiyaŋ |
| See you soon. | Kala dir dii care. |
| See you later. | Kalaa tonton. |
Love Language in Zarma
| English | Zarma |
|---|---|
| I love you. | Ay ga baa nine |
| I miss you. | Ay na ni laami |
| Love you so much. | Ay ga baa nine gumoo |
| I want to see you. | Ay ga baa ay ma dii nine |
| I love you with all my heart. | Ay ga baa nine nda ay binaa kulu |
| I love you too. | Ay bumboo ga baa nine |
| I want to see you. | Ay ga baa ay ma dii nine |
| I like you. | Ay ga baa nine |
| You are beautiful. | Niga boori |
| My love. | Ay bine baa kaa |
| You look beautiful. | Niga boori |
| My beautiful wife. | Ay wande soga |
| I miss you so much, darling. | Ay na ni laami gumoo, ay biney zo. |
| You will miss me. | Niga ay laami. |
| Goodbye, my love. | Ir ma goro baani ay bine baa kaa |
| See you tomorrow. | Kala suba |
| I will marry you. | Ay ga ni hiiji |
| I want some space. | Ay ga baa nongu |
| I need your love. | Ay ga baa ni baakasina |
| You are mine. | Nine woo ay wanno. |
Directions in Zarma
| English | Zarma |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | Man noo nigo? |
| Where did you go? | Man noo ni kway? |
| Where do you live? | Man noo nigo ga baafunay |
| Where are you going? | Man noo nigo kway |
| Where were you? | Man noo ni bara? |
Common Questions in Conversations in Zarma
| English | Zarma |
|---|---|
| How much? | Marje? |
| How are you feeling? | Mate noo nigo maa? |
| How have you been? | Mate noo nigo da? |
| What is your name? | Mate noo ni maayo? |
| What are you doing? | Ifo noo ni googa tey? |
| What are you cooking/eating? | Ifo noo nigo ga hina / ŋwa? |
| Are you okay, dear? | Nigo samay, ay binaa? |
| When are you coming? | Waati fo noo nigoo ka? |
| How was your night/day? | Mate ni ciinoo / zaaro? |
| How are you doing? | Mate noo nigo? |
| How is your family? | Mate ni almayaaley? |
| How was your day? | Mate ni zaaro? |
| What is wrong? | Ifo noo? |
| What do you mean? | Ifo noo nigo miila? |
| What is this? | Ifo noo wane? |
| What’s going on? | Ifo noo googa tey? |
| Are you listening? | Nigoo ga haŋgan? |
| Have you heard? | Ni maa? |
| Can I go home? | Ay ga hine ga kway fu? |
| Can I ask something? | Ay ga hine ga hã hay fo? |
| How is everything? | Mate haykuluu? |
| What’s your phone number? | Mate noo ni sisiroo lamba? |
Everyday Conversation in Zarma
| English | Zarma |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Barka nda ni hayyaŋ jiire |
| Thank you | Ay saabu |
| I am sorry | Alhaanan |
| You are welcome | Taali siinoo |
| Me too! | Ay bumboo |
| God bless you | Irkoy ma albarka daŋ niga |
| May God protect you | Irkoy mine hallasi |
| She is happy | A googa maa kaani |
| Please help me | Ay faab'a / ay g'a |
| I don't know | Ay si bay |
| I will come tomorrow | Ay ga kaa suba |
| Come here! | Kaa nongoo! |
| I am coming soon | Ay goo kaa needa alwaati kayna |
| Leave me alone | Fanda ay. |
| It is okay | A boori |
| I am going home | Ay goo ga kway fu |
| I don't want | Ay siba |
| Love is a beautiful thing | Baakasinay wo hari hanna no |
| Let me try | Nan ay ma sii |
| Welcome home | Barkaŋ da kaayaŋ |
| I reached home safely | Ay too fu baani |
| God is good | Irkoy ga boori |
| I don't understand | Ay mana faham |
| We are happy to see you | Ir googa maa kaani da ni diiyaŋ |
| I have it | Ay duwa |
| I don't have money | Ay sinda nooru |
| I am done | Ay ban |
| I am going to the shop | Ay googa kwaye faado do |
| Happy new year | Barkaŋ da jiiri bare yaŋ |
| Bad manners | Daa laalo |
| Stop using your phone | Nan ka gway diŋ sisiroo |
| I need a favour, please | Ay ga baa ni alforma, irkoy se |
| Haven’t seen you for ages | Ay mana dii nine jiiri boobo banda |
| Great to see you again | Ay ma kaani da ni diiyaŋ |
| I really appreciate it | A beeri ay ga |
| You made my day | Nina ay zaaro te |
| No problem | Taali siinoo |
| We are hiring | Ir googa ceeci borey kan ga goy |
Learning a language requires constant practice, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The best trick is to master at least five Zarma words daily from the Zarma dictionary
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