Bakar Magana, known as Sarcasm in English, is a reply to a person’s response to make them angry or upset. It is a type of verbal irony used when you are saying the opposite of what you mean to upset the person you are responding to. Just like karin magana, Bakar magana are important figures of speech in Hausa. They are of three types which include:

Types of Bakar Magana (Ire-iren Bakar Magana)

Bakar Magana Kai Tsaye

This type of bakar magana is used when there are no cutting corners. One is insulted directly when given a response. This type of sarcasm aims to upset—especially when one’s right is taken forcefully, and they resort to throwing sarcasm.

Bakar Magana ta Hanyar Gatse

This type of sarcasm is not straightforward. The exact opposite of what you mean or want is uttered to annoy or upset someone.

Bakar Magana Cikin Raha

This type of sarcasm is for entertainment or to make someone laugh but not to upset the person. It is common among ‘tsire or Suya’ vendors.

How to Make Bakar Magana (Yadda ake Bakar Magana)

Using sarcasm in the workplace can be seen as a sign of disrespect. However, it can also be used in a friendly manner to bond with coworkers and make them laugh.

Sarcasm generally makes people feel more intelligent and witty, so they are more likely to enjoy it than other forms of humor. It allows people to express anger or frustration without being too direct. People who don’t understand sarcasm may be confused by it or not get the joke.

One example is when someone says, “Wow, you look great!” but they mean the opposite. Another example is when someone says, “I love your outfit!” but they don’t actually like the outfit.

Now that you know the types and what it is, here is a list of examples of bakar magana (misalan bakar magana)

20 Bakar Magana Statements and Responses in Hausa

1. Statement: Ina zan samo ma Ruwan Sanyi?

Where do I get cold water?

Response: Saman kwano.

On the rooftop.

2. Statement: Abu na ne fa.

This thing belongs to me.

Response:  Na cinye idan an isa a kwata da karfi.

Come and collect it if you have the strength.

3. Statement: Naman da tauri.

The meat is too strong

Response: Taya ne na baka.

It’s not meat, it’s tires.

4. Statement: Garin da zamu da nisa, ga dare ya yi ga shi kuma muna tare da yara.

This place we’re going is far, and we have kids with us.

Response: Bari mujira yaran su girma sai mu cigaba da tafiya.

Let’s wait for the kids to grow up before we proceed

5. Statement: Ka shigo gida ko wanka ba ka yi ba kana karni ka kwanta.

You didn’t even shower when you came in, and you’re still stenchy.

Response: Sarkin tsafta, ki sake ni ki auro kifi.

Since you like water that much, divorce me and marry a fish

6. Statement: Wai shin me zan baki ma?

What am I giving you?

Response: Giza-gizai.

The clouds.

7. Statement: Daga ina kuke?

Where are you from?

Response: Ko ina.

Everywhere.

8. Statement: Abinci kuke ci?

Is it food you’re eating?

Response: Yashi muke ci.

It’s sand.

9. Statement: Barci kukeyi?

Are you sleeping?

Response: Rawa muke yi.

No, we’re dancing.

10. Statement: Kana ta sauri ina zaka je?

Why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?

Response: Sama

Space.

More Karin Magana

Statement: Wai Kai kullum sai ka yi latti ne?

Response: kin san a makara make.

Statement: Bazaka sayi mun ba?

Responses: Sa ni dole in saya

Statement: Kaninku nan duk ya fiku kyau

Response: Da ya ke birai ne mu

Statement: Shin wai ina zamu ne?

Response: Lahira

Statement: Ruwa mara sanyi zaki sha ko kuwa Mai sanyi?

Response: A’a, tafasasshe zan sha

Statement: Anya kuwa zaki taba kiba?

Response: Kin san igiya ce ni.

Statement: Kana abu kaman ba ka girma ba?

Response: A’a, jariri ne ni.

Statement: Wannan gari naku, anya ma kuna da ruwan sha mai kyau?

Response: A’a, fitsari muke sha.

When someone is replying to you and says what you think is the exact opposite of what they said, that is Bakar Magana. Sarcasm is indirect; you can use hints to recognize it. Evaluate how well you know the person and scrutinize their choice of tone and body language.

Conclusion

People use Bakar Magana ta hanyar gatse more than the other two types. They respond to silly questions with silly replies in other to show the person his question is irrelevant and unintelligent. Some people believe that sarcasm has its place in society and that it should not be limited or banned. They argue that sarcasm helps us express our feelings and emotions more freely and can make us feel less isolated.

Others believe that sarcasm causes more harm than good by making people feel bad about themselves and provoking conflict between people.

What other Bakar Magana do you know? Kindly leave your comments below or share them with your loved ones. You can check out these 100 Hausa proverbs full of wisdom.