Browse African Slang

Pregnant/Expecting (Pregnancy)

Infant meal/Formula (Baby food)

Child's father (Father of child)

Shortcut/Minor street (Side road)

Move back/Support (Back up)

Hateful or evil-minded attitude; malice

Release/Free (Post bail)

Remaining payment (Outstanding amount)

Money account (Bank account)

Lots of money/Capital (Bankroll)

Washroom/Toilet (Bathroom)

Show goodness (Be kind)

“Let it be so” – acceptance of a situation; also “Is that so?”

Used as a scolding phrase meaning 'keep doing that and see what happens'.

Self-employed (Independent)

Endure/Tolerate (Put up with)

Sleeping room/Chamber (Bedroom)

Long ago/Past (Ancient times)

Late/Delayed (Behind schedule)

Nagging you; persistently chasing or pressuring

Self confidence (Believe in yourself)

Pregnancy; pregnant stomach

Satisfied/Not hungry (Full stomach)

Often used in place of 'rather.' E.g. Better he stays home = it would be better if he stays.

Self-improvement (Better yourself)

Complex words/Formal speech (Big words)

'Big woman,' a slang for a woman who thinks highly of herself or is high status. Jue = girl.

Signifies someone acting high and mighty or genuinely a big-shot.

Successful man (Made it)

Successful woman (Independent)

Proud/Arrogant (Conceited)

Large amount/Wealth (Big money)

Means 'very embarrassing'. If something is a big shame, it's a disgrace.

Older sister (Elder sister)

Means a big important person (like 'big man').

Bad taste/Not sweet (Bitter)

Garden egg/Eggplant (Local vegetable)

Witchcraft/Sorcery (Dark arts)

Have fun/Party hard (Enjoy)

To show off; to brag

I'm well (Good health)

The warm reply to 'How da body?', meaning 'I'm fine!' with the emphatic -o ending common in Liberian speech. Conveys che...

Have fever/Temperature (Fever)

Skin cream (Moisturizer)

Exhausted/Worn out (Very tired)

Body aches/Joint pain (Body pain)

Used as a noun meaning education. 'He got book' means he's educated. 'I know book small' means I'm somewhat literate.

Formal education (Academic study)

Educated person/Scholar (Educated)

Term for educated folks, sometimes used admiringly or sarcastically.