FSI Language Courses
Introduction to Zarma Lesson 16 of 37

Expressing Needs

Peace Corps Zarma Language Lessons

Lesson Focus

  • Ay ga ba + ay ma… (want to…)
  • Gonda muradu (need)
  • Emotions and character

Lesson Material

This unit teaches how to express needs, wants, emotions, and character descriptions in Zarma.

Expressing Wants and Needs

ZarmaEnglish
Ay ga ba…I want…/I’d like…
Ay si ba…I don’t want…
Ay gonda…muraduI need…
Ay ga b’ay maI want to…
Ay no/no ay seGive me
Iri ma diGive me (lit. “let’s see”)

Emotions and States

ZarmaEnglish
Ma kaniTo be happy
Si ga ma kaniTo be uncomfortable
Bina kaniHappiness
Bina hasarawUnhappiness/anger
Bina saraUnhappiness/sorrow
Bina kanayHappiness/joy

Character Descriptions

ZarmaEnglish
Boro hannoKind person
Boro laloBad person
Ga zankaChildish
Boro yamoGood for nothing
Gonda lakkalTo be intelligent

Useful Expressions

ZarmaEnglish
Ni gonda cimi/ni ga cimYou are right
Ni sinda cimiYou are wrong
Ay futu ni seI am angry with you
A gabu nda boro kuluHe is the strongest
A gonda ga kuriHe is charismatic
A sinda ga kuriHe is not charismatic
Ay du baniI have recovered