Browse African Slang

Isoni (Shame/respect)

Isosi (Sauce)

Isosiyete (Company/society)

Isotry / Tsena Isotry (Isotry / Isotry market)

Curvy figure / thick body.

C'est ça (That's it)

It's a goal/Achievement (It's an achievement)

عيساوة ريذم - إيقاع عيساوة (Issawa beat)

Exclamations meaning “serves you right!” or expressing satisfaction (often when karma strikes).

A sound (sharp inhale) showing interest or shock. When someone’s telling gossip, friends will go “isshh!” to show they’r...

Ville du Centre-Ouest (Central-Western city)

Lac (Lake)

Laughing sound ('issu issou'), popular on French social media. Nigerien online youth use issou as the equivalent of 'lol...

Problems / troubles (Difficulties)

استثمار - Investment

Seeking forgiveness

Reception

Isuka (Hoe)

Isukari (Sugar)

Isuku y'umurimo (Hoe of work - hardworking person)

Ngoma ya Kiluhya (Luhya dance)

Isuzuma (Assessment/audit)

A resigned phrase meaning “it’ll be okay” even if things are bad.

Kunjalo nje (It's just like that)

Means 'It's not easy,' a common expression when commiserating about hardship or a tough situation.

It takes a village to raise a child

A tongue-in-cheek prophecy often made when someone is getting into a situation that looks doomed or risky. Essentially: ...

إتس أ ڤايب - It's a vibe

إتس كومبليكيتد - الأمر معقد (it's complicated)

It seems like/It appears (It looks like)

A famous South African advertising catchphrase (from a coffee creamer ad) that became a tongue-in-cheek saying. People u...

“It will be necessary” or “one will have to.” Slang indicating no choice.

ኢጣን/ኢጣን (Itan) - incense

Thing or matter (can refer to a person as *“my item”* meaning my girl/boyfriend, or just a thing).

Alcoholic drinks on menu (Alcohol)

Iterambere (Progress/development)

Iterambere ridindira (Sustainable development)

Iterambere ry'igihugu (National development)

Iterambere ry'ubukungu (Economic development)

Iterambere ry'umuryango (Family progress)

Manatsara tsikelikely / Iterate

Generational beliefs

Spiritual retreat

ايتينيريري (Itinerary)

Route

Route alternative (Alternative route)

'Make an order' but slang-wise to ask for it (trouble). Ana-itisha means he's begging for trouble.

Itorero (Church)

Itsholelo (Economy)

Itsinda (Band/group)