Browse African Slang

Derogatory Sheng term for 'fool' or clueless person. Similar to 'moran' or 'dummy.'

Mkusanyiko wa familia (Family gathering)

Jamaa wa mbali (Extended family)

Kuaga (Farewell)

Mtu anayevaa vizuri sana (Person who dresses very well)

Ada za shule (School fees)

Msimu wa tamasha (Festival season)

Ziara ya masomo (Field trip)

Faili (Files)

Toleo la mwisho (Final cut)

Slang for 500 shillings note (also Punch or Jirongo, named after a politician on the original 500 note).

Shahada bora (First class honors)

Shahada ya heshima ya kwanza (First class degree)

Literally 'hyena' in Swahili. In slang, a fisi is a guy who lurks around women opportunistically (a 'predator' or thirst...

Fisi mlafi (Greedy hyena)

Mavazi ya leo (Today's outfit)

Good, proper, or attractive.

Inakaa vizuri (Fits well)

Hadithi za Twitter (Twitter stories)

Rahisi kubadilika (Flexible)

Mambo ya daraja la juu (Flyover issues)

Literally 'what's the form?' meaning 'what's the plan/what's up?' Often shortened to just Form? It inquires about what s...

Kusambaza (To forward)

Feeling great or in good spirits.

Mkopo wa M-Pesa (M-Pesa overdraft)