"Sannu!"

‘Sannu’ is by far the best word in the Hausa language. Not only is it a hello-like greeting, but also a very useful tool for filling (commonly frequent) gaps in conversation; indeed, combined with a few deep bellied noises, it could almost comprise the entire conversation:

Me: Sannu!
You: Eaa. Sannu!
Me: Yauwaaa….

(pause)

You: Sannu… Sannu?
Me: Eeee, sannu.
You: oooorrrr.

(pause)

Me: Sannu?
You: eaaaa. Yauwaaaa….
Me: Sannu
You: Sannu.