Browse African Slang

Dance competition

Dance in the dark

To drink alcohol (literally “to beer”).

Tuer, impressionner fortement (To kill, to greatly impress)

Kill time

Cacher (To hide) - Lingala

Hide anger

Cacher l'argent (To hide money)

Hide truth

Se cacher (Hide)

Se cacher (To hide) - Lingala

Réparer, arranger (To repair, to fix) - Lingala

Réparer le cœur (To heal the heart) - Lingala

Changer (To change) - Lingala

Oublier (To forget)

Oublier (To forget)

Refuser, rejeter (To refuse, to reject)

Sans cœur (Heartless)

Récolter (Harvest)

First fruit ceremony

Provoquer, chercher la bagarre (To provoke, to look for a fight)

To lose/waste

Perdre l'amour (To lose love) - Lingala

Jeter, lancer (To throw)

Jeter de l'eau (To throw water)

Gaspiller l'argent (To waste money)

Gaspiller l'argent (Waste money)

Se positionner, prendre sa place (To position oneself, take one's place)

“To hide” (like go off and be born elsewhere, humorous for hiding). Usage: Kasi ye, soki problème eyí, akobátama! (But h...

Slang verbs meaning “to steal” (lit. “to hit” or a play on words for pickpocket).

Literally “to hit the book,” meaning to study.

Literally “to hold a meeting” / “to put ear,” both mean to chat someone up or spit game. Usage: Azali kotia ye litoyi ba...

Literally “to hit the hoof/football,” slang for abandoning or neglecting someone. Usage: Akomi kobéta sabot na fiancée n...

Literally “to break the pen,” meaning to drop out or quit school.

Kocha/mwalimu wa mchezo (Coach/game teacher)

Photo opportunity (Picture time)

To dress up sharp (like going all out on style).

Slang for “to eat” (similar to damage).

Prêter (To lend) - Lingala

Loyer/Taxe (Rent/Tax)

Slang verbs meaning “to leave/to bounce.”

Doucement doucement (Slowly slowly - take it easy)

Both mean “to cheat in class” (kodonké as in sneaky, “doing looking”). Usage: Ba exam babandi, kasi bato bazali kosala l...

Mon pays (My country)

Le pays/quartier (Country/neighborhood)

A term from African languages referring to cultural concepts or everyday objects.

Koebaai is a colloquial term used in African communities.

Koeksister Share definition Lesbian Afrikaans woman Did you eat your koeksister’s cunt? by Gusjonesthe3rd March 27, 2024...

Koeksister (Sweet pastry)

Iinghundana / sweet pastry (Sweet twisted pastry)