Browse African Slang

Désir sexuel (Sexual desire)

Espoir en Dioula (Hope in Dioula)

Espérance en Baoulé (Hope in Baoulé)

Djigué (Hope/faith)

Djim (Gym/exercise)

From 'gym', means to work out or lift weights

Histoire de génie

Boisson gazeuse locale (Local soft drink)

Same use as maître-nageur: a habitual drunkard.

I ten korda (I'm awake/alert)

Mec/gars (Dude/guy)

Frère/pote (Brother/buddy)

Djo (Friend/mate)

Borrowed from Ivorian slang (with roots in Mandé languages), un djo means a cool guy, player, or dude. In Bamako you mig...

Borrowed from Ivorian slang (with roots in Mandé languages), un djo means a cool guy, player, or dude. In Bamako you mig...

Djo (Guy - young man)

Pote/ami (Pal/friend)

Conquistar ou seduzir alguém (To conquer or seduce someone)

Jogar bola (Play football)

A kiddie term for the act of sex. Among adults it's used humorously or euphemistically

Djongo (Traditional dance)

Cerimônia tradicional (Traditional ceremony)

Salutation cool (Cool greeting)

Djoss (Good/great - local slang)

Djoss (Boss/God)

Force mystique (Mystical power)

Commander, diriger (To command, lead)

Djougou (Hustler)

Draguer / chercher les filles (Flirting/chasing girls)

Nakɔfɛn jalen, tomate ni nakɔw (Vegetable sauce, tomatoes and vegetables)

Voyou, bandit (Thug, bandit)

Désert de Djourab

Gesto de chamar (Calling gesture)

Jogo de criança (Children's game)

Jogo limpo (Clean game)

A Creole term for a chat, hangout or informal gathering. To 'make djumbai' is to sit and talk in a friendly circle. It's...

Reunião/Rezar juntos (Meeting/Pray together)

Literally 'already a lot.' Used to say 'long ago' or 'for a long time'

Style décontracté (Casual style)

Sauce tomate épaisse (Thick tomato sauce)

Eau en Dioula (Water in Dioula)

Bagarre ou dispute (Fight or argument)

Ironically calling someone “god,” to hype a friend’s skill (like “boss”).

Fille facile (Easy girl)

Griot, musicien traditionnel (Griot, traditional musician)

Pronounced like 'jo,' a filler at sentence ends used in Niamey much like Nigerians use 'o.' It adds emphasis or a pleadi...

Wariko, sɔngɔ min bɛ di wari sɔrɔ cogo la (Fish, metaphor for money or income source)

Enter

Watermelon

Ho kopana le motho oa liphate / Ho cheka (To meet someone intimately / To hook up)