Browse African Slang

Departure fee/Travel levy (Exit fee)

Arranges airport transfers

Bip sur Airtel (Missed call on Airtel)

Airtel money

Transfert d'argent mobile (Mobile money transfer)

ኤርታይም/ካርድ (Airtime)

I-airtime iphelelwe (Airtime finished)

Buy airtime

A common 'Hey you!' or 'Yo!' used to get someone's attention (comes from English 'I say!'). It's a friendly callout amon...

“Hey you!” – used to get a stranger’s attention (like “yo!”) (Origin: Chichewa (from English “I say!”))

Sufi music style

Expressão de surpresa ou admiração (Expression of surprise or admiration)

Yes or affirmative.

Yes agreed (Arabic-French)

Não, negativo (No, negative)

Aiza / Where

Chien (Dog)

اجل (Appointed time)

To “play smart” or pretend to be busy when you’re not (from Yoruba name stereotype).

In some South Sudanese communities, slang verb meaning 'to slap'

A person born into wealth

A slang describing a person born into wealth or comfort – basically a 'rich kid' who's not street-smart. In hustle conte...

Refers to a person from a wealthy or pampered background. An ajebutter is someone who has enjoyed a buttered (easy) life...

An exclamation of pain or surprise, like “Ouch!”.

The opposite of ajebutter: someone from a rough background (literally 'ate wood,' as opposed to butter). An ajepako is s...

Means “come.” Frequently used to call someone over. Usage: Aji, a khouya, help me take this selfie real quick.

Come here; calling someone over

أجي نتا - تعال أنت (come here you)

Ajira/fursa ya kufanya kazi (Employment/work opportunity)

Temporary employment

Youth employment

Donne un bonus (Add a little extra)

Mchezo wa mawe (Stone game)

Mchezo wa kitamaduni (Traditional game)

Crowdsource help

Commerçant (Trader)

Akabenz ka gatatu (Three-stone fireplace)

Akabura umugani kaza kunywa amarira (What lacks stories comes to drink tears - ignorance leads to suffering)

Viatu vya mti (Tire sandals)

Akamaro (Value/importance)

<a href="/word/pap" class="internal-link" title="View definition of Pap">Pap</a> or corn porridge, but used in <a href="...

Day-born names/Traditional naming (Cultural names)

Akanovera (Small blessing)

Akanovera k'urukundo (Meal of love)

Bank account, also used in slang as *“Aza”*.

Akanyamuneza (Small joy)

Akanyoni katagurutse ntikamenya iyo bweze (A bird that hasn't flown doesn't know where dawn breaks - inexperience limits...

Akara (Bean cakes)

Akarengane (Injustice)

Akarenge gafata uko gashoboye (A foot lands as it can - do your best with what you have)