Browse African Slang

I agree (I concur)

Tu as bien travaillé (You have worked well)

Por favor (Please)

Used to soften requests: 'please.' Often I beg you small (please, a little).

آي كانت إيڤن - I can't even

A greeting meaning ‘I came by to visit’ (informal hello)

This can mean 'I'm coming back.' Often said when actually leaving temporarily. E.g. to excuse oneself: 'I coming' (I'll ...

I'm fine/I'm here (I'm okay)

I'm coming/On my way (Coming soon)

I’m hungry (Ghanaian Pidgin often drops the “-ry”).

“I remember.”

I di kam (I'm coming)

I disagree (I don't concur)

አልገባኝም/አልገባኝም (Algebagnim) - I don't understand

አልፈልግም/አልፈልግም (Alfeligim) - I don't want

I'm finished/Complete (I'm through)

Nashuku (I doubt)

Tu es fou / folle (You're crazy)

I'll increase a bit (Small addition)

Emphasizes 'I'm going now but will come back.' Common when stepping out: 'You going?' – 'Yes, I go come.'

I'll consider it (I'll think about it)

I'm leaving (Departure)

I understand/Got it (I comprehend)

I ka di? (How are you? - Dioula)

I ni ce (Hello - Dioula)

I ni sogoma (Good morning - Dioula)

I ni su (Good evening - Dioula)

I ni wula (Good afternoon - Dioula)

"I don't have shishi" means "I don't have even a dime." Shishi here represents the smallest unit (like kobo or a coin). ...

I no understand (I don't comprehend)

I warned/Said (I told you)

I'm managing/Surviving (I'm trying)

I understand (I comprehend)

እፈልጋለሁ/እፈልጋለሁ (Efeligalehu) - I want

I well (I'm okay)

A Liberian threat meaning 'I'll teach you a lesson'. Implies the speaker will demonstrate their true strength or anger.

A warning meaning "I'll hit you" or "I'll beat you up." "Bliksem" is Afrikaans for strike or punch (and also an expletiv...

A firm warning meaning "I'll smack you upside the head." Snotklap (Afrikaans) literally "snot slap," is a slap so hard y...

Means "I'm hungover." "Babalas" (from Zulu "ibhabhalazi") is slang for a hangover. If someone says they're babalas, they...

A literal South Africanism meaning "I am currently waiting." In SA English, people say "I'm busy waiting" to indicate an...

آيم كرايينج - I'm crying

آيم ديد - I'm dead

እሄዳለሁ/እሄዳለሁ (I'm leaving)

آيم سكريمنج - I'm screaming

آيم شوك - I'm shook

Ngihlekile kakhulu (I laughed too much)

Spiritual retreat

I can't lie

Limazisi (Identity document)

Colloquial term for a super-quick wash of one's face and brushing of teeth – essentially only cleaning the parts visible...