Greetings — Vocabulary

This unit covers the essential vocabulary needed for greetings in Zarma. Greetings are extremely important in Nigerien culture — you should always greet someone before beginning any business or conversation.

Vocabulary

Zarma	English
Boro	Person
Cawandiko	Teacher/trainer
Dungay	Heat
Farga	Fatigue/Tiredness
Fo	To greet
Fofo	Greetings!
Fonda	Greetings on
Foy	To pass the day
Fu	Family/home
Gaham	Body
Go	To be
Goy	Work
Hargu	Coldness
Hire	Evening/night
Kala	Until, only
Kani	Sleep
Kulu	All
Lokolize	Student/trainee
Mate	How?
N’goyya	Response to “Fofo” or “Fonda”
Tali	Problem
To	Okay
Tonton	Later, to add on
Wete	Period from 10:00 to about 11:30
Wicira	Period from 4:30 till about sunset
Zankey	Children

Cultural Notes

There is a distinction between formal and informal greetings in Zarma. Always greet a person before beginning any business or conversation — jumping straight into a request without greeting first is considered very rude.

Do not shake hands with married women.