Browse African Slang

Mtihani wa darasa la nane (Primary exam)

Mtihani wa kidato cha nne (Secondary exam)

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Bodi ya kuchagua vyuo (University placement board)

Saladi ya nyanya na vitunguu (Tomato onion salad)

Kidogo (Small)

Kaka sungura (Brother hare)

Fifty shillings

Money (borrowing from *“colour”* of currency or *“kalawo”*). Also **pesa** is standard Swahili for money.

Nzuri sana (Very good / cool)

Mchezo wa kupiga kelele (Noise making game)

Mkutano mkuu (Big meeting)

Nairobi (a stylized nickname for the city).

Mavazi ya kitamaduni (Traditional clothing)

Shamba kwa Kipokot (Farm in Pokot)

Shamba kwa Kikalenjin (Farm in Kalenjin)

Polisi (Police slang)

Karibu mara nyingine (Welcome again)

To hustle for money

Viatu vya michezo (Sneakers)

Nyumba kwa Kitaita (Home in Taita)

Ala ya muziki (Musical instrument)

Kazi ni kazi tu (Work is just work)

Kazi tu (Just work)

Kazi ya kozi (Course work)

Kazi ya mchanga, kazi ngumu (Manual labor, hard work)

Kazi za nyumbani (House chores)

Bia ya bei nafuu (Cheap beer)

Slang for 'house', from English 'cage' or sheng clipping of 'nyumba.' Often refers to one's place.

Kenya Oyee! (Kenya hurray!)

Kenya ni moja (Kenya is one)

Kenya yetu takatifu (Our blessed Kenya)

Pombe ya bei nafuu (Cheap alcohol)

Ibada ya usiku (Night vigil)

Kesha ya kuabudu (Praise overnight)

Kesho kuna nafasi nyingine (Tomorrow is another chance)

Kesi mahakamani (Court case)

Mtoto kwa Kiluhya (Child in Luhya)

Baraza la wazee (Council of elders)

Msimu mkavu (Dry season)

Hoteli ndogo (Small restaurant)

Sheng for '50 shillings' coin, less common than 'chuani' but known. Possibly from 'bendi' (band) as the coin has ridges?

Chungu cha maji (Water gourd)

Mtu mkaidi (Stubborn person)

Umoja ni nguvu (Unity is strength)

Cha asili (Traditional)

Kichwa ngumu (Stubborn person)

Mtu asiye na msimamo (Person with no stand)

Ngoma ya harusi ya Kikuyu (Kikuyu wedding dance)

Adui yako yu karibu (Your enemy is close)