African Slang Words Starting With "K"

Katonda wange (My God)

“What are you looking for?” used when someone is snooping or looking curious. Usage: Katqelleb 3la shnou f phone dyali? ...

Katro / Card game

Katutura / location (Katutura township)

Katse (Cat - sneaky)

Goods/luggage

Katwe (Metal fabrication area)

Orvalhu noturnu (Orvalho noturno) (Night dew)

Bar counter; slang for going to bar (used like “piga kaunta”).

A phrase meaning let’s have a couple of drinks (at the counter).

Kausu (Socks)

Kot wud → Cut wood

Northeastern rhythms (Regional music)

Kavango kultuur (Kavango culture)

Personne du nord/campagnard péjoratif (Person from north/country person - pejorative)

Slang from okay (borrowed via Swahili), meaning “no problem/it’s fine.”

Kawahla (Kawahla tribe)

كاواي - Cute (Japanese)

Foreigner, specifically a white person. Used in South Sudan (and Sudan) to refer to Westerners. It's not derogatory in i...

Samak nili (Nile fish)

Hair weave/extensions (common slang for women’s hairpieces).

Kawempe (Kampala division)

Ifu y'ibigori (Corn flour)

Prokura/buska (Procurar/buscar) (Search/look for)

Kaskáta (Cascata) (Waterfall)

Cachorro bravo; cão agressivo / Fierce dog; aggressive dog

Doensa (Doença) (Disease)

A filler word added for emphasis or to soften statements (no direct meaning, akin to 'eh' or 'you know'). It's very comm...

Whatever/I don't know

Nyumba kwa Kitaita (Home in Taita)

Kayaking

Kayak de mer (Sea kayaking)

Ala ya muziki (Musical instrument)

Wood shaker

Abubuwan mata, makeup (Women's things, makeup)

Female head porter (Female porter)

There is (Oran)

How are you? (Arabic)

I be kayira le (You are welcome)

Phrase meaning “there’s a situation,” implying drama or something noteworthy going on.

Akarere ka Kayonza (Kayonza district)

Abitasãu/lar (Habitação/lar) (House/home)

Shogol (Work - Swahili)

Kazi (Work - from Swahili)

Kazi/shughuli (Work/activity)

Kazi (Work)

Travail (Work) - Swahili

Hard work

Kazi ni kazi tu (Work is just work)

Easy work