Browse African Slang

Hora do churrasco (Barbecue time)

Banco comercial moçambicano (Mozambican commercial bank)

A hangover. This term is used casually among friends after a night of heavy drinking

Estar apaixonado, derreter-se (To be in love, to melt)

Desmame guiado pelo bebê (Baby-led weaning)

Legal, fixe (Cool, nice)

Bastidores do evento (Behind the scenes)

Very good or excellent (Origin: Mozambican Portuguese/Local)

Bolinho de feijão frito (Fried bean cake)

Centro da cidade de Maputo (Maputo city center)

Centro histórico (Historic center)

Família em Nyanja (Family in Nyanja)

Raízes bantu (Bantu roots)

Cerimônia religiosa de batismo (Religious baptism ceremony)

Literally 'shack,' it refers to a small informal bar or tavern where people gather to drink

Literally 'beat beer,' meaning to chug beers or drink heavily

Marcar presença no trabalho (Clock in at work)

Operação da polícia (Police raid)

Percussão tradicional (Traditional percussion)

To leave or go away quickly, equivalent to 'bounce.' This common youth slang comes from the word bazaar, implying headin...

Arquipélago de Bazaruto (Bazaruto Archipelago)

Baía de Maputo (Maputo Bay)

Ser diferente (Be different)

Bar na praia (Beach bar)

Gravidez anunciada (Announced pregnancy)

Usado para indicar algo do centro (Used to indicate something from central region)

Estilo da Beira (Beira style)

Pessoa de Beira (Person from Beira)

Jogo de elástico (Elastic game)

Bolinhas de vidro para jogar (Glass marbles for playing)

Pegar carona, boleia (To hitchhike)

Festa, evento social (Party, social event)

Something big or huge (often describing an object or problem).

Ciclovia (Bike lane)

Lagoa de Bilene (Bilene Lagoon)

Língua local de Inhambane (Local Inhambane language)

Desejar sucesso (Wish success)

Recepção calorosa (Warm reception)

Festa no barco (Boat party)

Mulher com curvas (Curvy woman)

Fofoca, conversa (Gossip, talk)

Jogar futebol (To play football)

Carona (Ride)

Desejar boa noite (Wish good night)

Batalha com chefe (Boss battle)

Jovem urbano moderno (Modern urban youth)

Identidade de marca (Brand identity)

Dança urbana acrobática (Urban acrobatic dance)

Chamar atenção, se destacar (To shine, stand out)

Errar, falhar (To mess up, to fail)