African Slang Words Starting With "I"

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)

Ista'jil (Hurry)

Istazakat (She asked permission)

Intadhir (Wait)

Istayqadhat (She woke up)

استثمار - Investment

Istighfar (Seeking forgiveness)

Seeking forgiveness

Reception

Istitan (Settlement)

Isuka (Hoe)

Isukari (Sugar)

Isukari (Sugar)

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

Ngoma ya kitamaduni ya Waluhya (Traditional Luhya dance)

Amasoko (Waterfalls)

Isuzuma (Assessment/audit)

It nɔ de → Food not there

It dɔn kuk → Food has cooked

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

Ni uko biri (That's how it is)

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

It's complicated (Complex relationship)

Unclear relationship status (Confusing situation)

El mawdu'a mu'aqqad (The matter is complex)

Dis ingewikkeld (It's complex)

Unclear relationship (Messy situation)

Unclear relationship (Unclear relationship)

I konplike (It's complicated)

It seems like/It appears (It looks like)

It's giving rich auntie (It looks like rich auntie style)

I montre (It's giving)

إتس جيڤنج - It's giving

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).

Refreshments (from the practice of listing it as item 13 on event agendas).

Party food time (Party food time)

Development/Progress (Development/Progress)

Iterambere (Progress/development)

Iterambere ridindira (Sustainable development)