馃嚦馃嚞 Hausa phrases

How to Say "Sister" in Hausa

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
'Yar uwa
"Sister" in Hausa 路 say it like ee-yar oo-wah

The most natural way to say "Sister" in Hausa is 'Yar uwa. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

'Yar'uwa
Used in more formal contexts.
'Yar'uwata
Means 'my sister' and is more personal.

When to use it

You can use 'yar uwa' when referring to your sister or a close female friend. It is a term of endearment and can also be used to address women in a friendly manner. In more formal situations, you might use 'yar'uwa'.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Sister" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Hausa

HausaEnglish
'Yar uwata tana da kyau.My sister is beautiful.
'Yar uwa, ina kwana?Sister, how are you?
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse 'yar uwa' with 'matar uwa', which means 'mother'.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 'Yar uwa, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Hausa with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use 'yar uwa' for friends?

Yes, it can be used affectionately for close female friends.

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