African Slang Words Starting With "A"

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 (Arabic) - informal agreement

Yes agreed (Arabic-French)

Não, negativo (No, negative)

Casual “yes” or “yeah.”

Aiza / Where

Chien (Dog)

Ajab/gharib (Wonder/strange)

Ajal (Death time)

اجل (Appointed time)

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

Ijaaza (Leave/vacation)

Witch or evil person (Bad person)

Vipi? (How?)

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

A person born into wealth

<a href="/word/slang" class="internal-link" title="View definition of Slang">Slang</a> for a pampered or posh person (sa...

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

Ajib/gharib (Strange/weird)

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

Ajir (Hired worker)

Wealth from abroad (Wealth from abroad)

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

Come here; calling someone over

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

أجي نتا - تعال أنت (come here you)

Ajil (Urgent)

Ajira/nafasi ya kazi (Employment/work opportunity)

Youth employment

Ajmal shay (Most beautiful thing)

Ajnabiya (Foreign)

Ajono (Local brew - Northern Uganda)

Donne un bonus (Add a little extra)

Ajr min Allah (Reward from God)

Mchezo wa mawe (Stone game)

Mchezo wa kitamaduni (Traditional game)

Crowdsource help

Commerçant (Trader)

Tiny one

Akaademiya (Academy)

Akaana (Small child - diminutive)

Small thief

Urwenya rw'ikinyobwa gito (Small local bar)

Akabenz ka gatatu (Three-stone fireplace)

Akabuga (Small town)

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