Browse African Slang

Dividende (Dividend)

Retour sur actions (Dividend)

Lit. “divided,” slang for being undecided or having mixed feelings. Usage: Tou dividido se vou sair ou ficar em casa hoj...

رضا إلهي (Divine favor)

ديفاين تايمنق (Divine timing)

Fisaraham-panambadiana / Divorce (Divorce / Separation)

Fin de mariage (Divorce)

Divorce papers - Separation documents

طلاق محظور (Divorce taboo)

Séparé légalement (Divorced)

Fim do casamento (End of marriage)

Gnawa music style

Ward councilor

Folo / Ten

Desenvolvimento (Development)

Desigualdade (Inequality)

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

Dizzy (Head spinning)

Assistente religioso (Religious assistant)

Avy Antsiranana / Antakarana (From Diego / Antakarana)

Diɲɛ mɔgɔw ka kan, langue mondiale (World people's language, world language)

Dj (Disc jockey)

Dja (Already taken)

To kill, also used figuratively like to ace something (Origin: Nouchi - Ivorian slang)

An exclamation in Bambara that roughly means 'already' or 'really' and adds emphasis (often placed at the end of a sente...

Friend or buddy (similar to “pal”).

A person with loose morals (often referring to someone promiscuous).

To give everything, to impress by spending lavishly.

Jaca/Fruta-pão (Jackfruit)

Chicken

Literally “chicken,” slang for a naive person or someone easily scared.

Jakarta moto, moto chinois (Jakarta motorcycle, Chinese motorcycle)

Slang for a taxi (since taxis roam like sly cats).

Sauce de tomate épaisse (Thick tomato sauce)

A pretty girl, often used admiringly.

Paz em Fula (Peace in Fula)

Pays natal en Dioula (Homeland in Dioula)

Modern take on traditional celebration music

Traditional healer using modern methods

Ville des Plateaux (Plateaux town)

Bebida tradicional (Traditional drink)

Djamu (Family name - Dioula)

Djandjoba (Forced labor - historical)

Djandjou (Resourceful)

Jouer/S'amuser (To play/have fun)

A stylish, fashionable man (Origin: Nouchi - Ivorian slang)

Problème, souci (Problem, worry)

Djarabi (Love potion/charm)

Flirt / romance légère (Light flirting/romance)

Marché en Dioula (Market in Dioula)