Browse African Slang

Ema-koeksister ayabita (Koeksisters calling)

Koese (To sell)

Nom Akan du vendredi (Akan Friday name)

Roadside roasted plantain and groundnut snack.

Cheap breakfast/Poor man's food (Inexpensive meal)

Kofia/kifuniko cha kichwa (Hat/head covering)

Kofia (Hat / cap)

Cobrir mão (Cover hand)

Nice cap

Golden cap

Traditional cap

Decorative cap

كفتة - Kofta

Ouvrir (To open) - Lingala

Ouvrir avec clé (To unlock) - Lingala

Payer (To pay)

Payer l'argent (To pay money)

“To sleep” (from French *fâcher* ironically maybe, but used as crash).

Literally “to gas someone,” meaning to tell someone off or scold them.

Kogl (To sell - Mooré)

Koglg-miuugu yaa beogo (Waiting-patience is tomorrow)

Koglweogo (Traditional militia)

Sorcier en Baoulé (Witch doctor in Baoulé)

Kohereza amafaranga (To send money)

Kohereza hanze (To export)

Traditional eyeliner

كحل آيز - عيون الكحل (kohl eyes)

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

Koi (Traditional game)

Ndoa ya Kikalenjin (Kalenjin wedding)

Uncle

Partager, diviser (To share, to divide) - Lingala

Partager l'argent (To share money)

Partager le salaire (To share salary)

Passer du temps ensemble (To spend time together)

Se séparer, divorcer (To separate, to divorce)

Se séparer/divorcer (Separate/divorce)

Prendre (To take) - Lingala

Bien comprendre (To understand well) - mixed

Être surpris, étonné (To be surprised, amazed)

Être surpris (Be surprised)

Fermer (To close) - Lingala

Fermer la caisse, faire le bilan (To close the cash register, balance accounts)

Se tenir la main (To hold hands)

Hold tight

Économiser (To save money)

Be brave

Fermer à clé (To lock) - Lingala

Être arrêté, attrapé (To be arrested, caught)

To release/untie