Browse African Slang

Mchanganyiko wa DJ (DJ mixture)

Ujumbe wa kibinafsi (Private message)

Sister (informal)

Msichana anayeuza mavazi (Girl who sells clothes)

Msichana wa salon (Salon girl)

Samaki wadogo (Small fish)

Dakika/vipimo vya muda (Minutes/time measures)

Mtu wa tiba (Medical person)

Mtaalamu wa meno (Teeth expert)

Basi la umma (Public bus)

Public minibus

Damu/kinyesi cha mzizi (Blood/root fluid)

Muziki wa mdundo (Dance music)

Michezo ya kimila (Traditional dances)

Darasa/chumba cha masomo (Class/study room)

Dari/juu ya nyumba (Roof/top of house)

Mpenzi/mpendwa (Darling/beloved)

Kutembeana/kuzijuana (Going out/getting to know)

Dawa/tiba (Medicine/treatment)

Dawa za kilimo (Farming medicine)

Not just English “deal,” in TZ slang it also means a well-paying gig or opportunity.

Kina/kirefu (Deep/profound)

Kufuta/kuondoa (Delete/remove)

Borrowed from English “dame,” in East Africa it just means “girl” (often a girlfriend).

Girlfriend or girl (slang, “chick” with Swahili accent).

Dengu/mbegu za kilimo (Lentils/farming seeds)

Dereva/mwendesha gari (Driver/car operator)

Dereva mzuri sana (Very good driver)

Kompyuta ya meza (Table computer)

Desturi/taratibu za kijadi (Tradition/traditional procedures)

Maendeleo/ukuaji (Development/growth)

Rangi ya dhahabu (Gold color)

Diamond Platnumz/msanii (Diamond Platnumz/artist)

Maisha ya kidijitali (Digital life)

Wazawa wa kidijitali (Digital natives)

Malipo ya kidijitali (Digital payment)

Digrii/kiwango cha juu cha masomo (Degree/high study level)

Dini/imani (Religion/faith)

Dini za nchi (Country religions)

Director/mkurugenzi (Director/main leader)

Dirisha/upenyo (Window/opening)

Programu ya mazungumzo ya kikundi (Group chat application)

Nickname for Dar es Salaam city (from “DSM”). Used by locals in a familiar way.

Mchezo wa kuruka (Jumping game)

Filamu ya ukweli (Truth movie)

Dodoma/mji mkuu (Dodoma/capital city)

Mdogo/mchanga (Younger sibling/little one)

Money (slang)

Pesa kidogo (Small money)

Kizuri (Good)