Browse African Slang

Kila mtu na mapendi yake (To each their own)

Kilimo kisichoharibu mazingira (Sustainable farming)

Mtu dhaifu (Weak person)

Ten shillings

Chombo cha kusagia (Grinding stone)

Vizuri kwa Kitaita (Fine in Taita)

While it means 'barber' in standard Swahili, in slang it can mean a smooth talker who can convince anyone.

Kikapu cha Kikuyu (Kikuyu basket)

Mwanaume kwa Kipokot (Man in Pokot)

Zamani (Long ago)

Kitambaa (Fabric)

Kobe (Tortoise)

Ndoa ya Kikalenjin (Kalenjin wedding)

Kijiji kwa Kikalenjin (Village in Kalenjin)

Kondoo (Sheep)

Pombe ya Konyagi (Konyagi spirit)

Sherehe ya kupika nje (Outdoor cooking fest)

Kupakua filamu (To download a movie)

Kufanikiwa maishani (To succeed in life)

Kujiuzulu kazi (To resign)

Kuingia kwa ujumbe wa kibinafsi (To slide into DMs)

Kutazama mtandaoni (To watch online)

Kusaidia kubao (To assist a goal)

Kukubali (To accept)

Kuwa maarufu (To be famous)

To be broke

Kupata bahati (To get lucky)

Kupunguza bei (To bargain)

Kushinda (To beat / win)

Literally 'carrying stones,' a humorous phrase for being stood up or waiting in vain. If someone never showed up to a me...

Kufurahia sana (To enjoy greatly)

Kuwa mweusi (To be dark-skinned)

Kuchoka (To get bored)

To talk or chat, from 'bonga' (talk). 'Twende tubonge' means let's go talk.

Kurekodi muziki (To record music)

Kulewa (To get drunk)

Sheng for 'to beat/do intensely'. Amechapa can mean someone is worn out or someone failed (esp. in looks: dame amechapa ...

Kufanya mtihani (To do an exam)

Kufanya mambo kwa siri (To do things secretly)

To work hard for money

Kupiga penalti (To take a penalty)

To chat or tell stories at length. Young people use 'tulichapa story' to mean we spent time talking/gossiping.

Literally 'beat electricity,' meaning to run very fast (like lightning).

Kucheza (To play / dance)

Kucheza mchezo wa kompyuta (To play computer games)

Kucheza kama mshambuliaji (To play as striker)

From English 'chill,' means to hang out and relax. Used widely, sometimes conjugated in Swahili (na-chill, tu-chill).

Kuwa mjanja (To be clever / street smart)

To hype up or provoke someone.

Kushindwa (To be tired / give up)