Browse African Slang

Spill it before it leaks

Long ago/Past (Ancient times)

Before this (Previously)

Beg naa (I'm happy)

Beg pardon (Ask forgiveness)

በጋ/በጋ (Dry season)

በገና/በገና (Large lyre)

Begg na ñibbi (Wants to get married)

Begin begin (Just starting)

Beginning end (Full cycle)

Style de Begoua (Begoua style)

Filler word like “well” or “uh,” often used to start sentences.

بحيري - From Beheira

Good; okay

Artist's story (Background info)

Coulisses (Behind the scenes)

Late/Delayed (Behind schedule)

Nagging you; persistently chasing or pressuring

Behoririka / Faritra Behoririka

Odd but harmless trait

Neutral trait that's neither good nor bad

Odd but harmless trait

Beignets (Donuts)

Beignet (Fritter)

Beignet chaud (Hot fritter)

Beignet aux haricots

Beignet seller (Donut vendor)

Pâte frite sucrée (Sweet fried dough)

Beignets frais (Hot fritters)

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

Estilo da Beira (Beira style)

Pessoa de Beira (Person from Beira)

بيت - منزل (House - home)

Beke (Week)

A phrase in Zulu/Sotho meaning "week in and week out" (literally "week and week"). It implies something happens consiste...

በቆሎ/በቆሎ (Bekolo) - corn/maize

بكري، مبكر (Early)

From English “bye,” said quickly as a casual goodbye (in Addis texting often “bai”). Usage: I’m off to class now, bel, s...

بالعقل (Logically / rationally)

بالحلال (Legitimately / properly)

بالليل - At night

بالتوفيق (Good luck)

“Eat!” but used to mean “deal with it” or “take that.”. Usage: I beat you in FIFA again – bela! (as in, eat it, suck it ...

Maybe/perhaps

It seems to me

“For free” or “no need.” Often said to decline an offer or say don’t bother.

Caman caman, beaucoup (Many many, a lot)

Means “drunk” (completely inebriated) in Zambian slang.

Hustle hard / be fast.

Belek (Watch out - from Arabic)