takalmi

Hausa

Etymology

Of unclear origin, but probably from a Songhay language; compare Proto-Songhay *tàgmú (“pair of shoes”) and analogous deverbal endings in its descendant languages. The Hausa verb tākā̀ (“step on”) may share the same ultimate origin, but is inherited West Chadic vocabulary. An alternate suggestion posits that it comes from a Berber language; compare Tamasheq ikumellitten (“shoes”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tàː.kàl.míː/
  • (Standard Kano Hausa) IPA^(key): [tàː.kàl.míː]

Noun

tā̀kàlmī m (plural tākalmà, possessed form tā̀kàlmin)

1. sandal, shoe