Browse African Slang

Djatigui (Host/patron - Dioula)

Faux ami / hypocrite (Fake friend/hypocrite)

Means “affairs” or “business;” can also refer to one’s romantic dealings (flirt or girlfriend).

Djeli (Griot - Dioula)

Traditional robe

Commerce de vêtements traditionnels (Traditional clothing trade)

Mosque; Friday prayers

Djembé (Djembe drum)

Maître du djembé (Djembe master)

Percussion contemporaine (Modern djembe)

Joueur de djembé (Djembe player)

Paradise/heaven

Sauce tomate aux crevettes (Tomato sauce with shrimp)

Mali dugu kɔrɔ, misiri ba bɛ yen (Ancient Mali city, big mosque there)

Mobile operator

Short for Djibouti (French slang) - local nickname

Ceremonia djibolo (Djibolo ceremony)

Djibouti Beach (Transport) - beach destination

Long live Djibouti (mixed)

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)

Djo (Guy - young man)

Pote/ami (Pal/friend)

Mec/gars (Dude/guy)

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

Djo (Friend/mate)

Pote/ami (Pal/friend)

Frère/pote (Brother/buddy)

Conquistar ou seduzir alguém (To conquer or seduce someone)

Jogar bola (Play football)

Robe traditionnelle masculine (Men's traditional robe)

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

Djongo (Women's dance)

Cerimônia tradicional (Traditional ceremony)

Djoss (Boss - respectful greeting)

Djoss (Boss/God)

Djoss (Boss - respectful greeting)

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)