Browse African Slang

Kanisa/mahali pa sala (Church/prayer place)

Prato tradicional de quiabo (Traditional okra dish)

Gombo/Okra (Okra)

Boisson de tamarin (Tamarind drink)

Personne difficile / têtue (Difficult/stubborn person)

Très fort, solide (Very strong, solid)

“I’m clicking,” meaning “I understand” or “I get it” (like clicking in your head).

Kan ko, langue affaire (Language matter, language issue)

Kànlín (Animal/Animal)

Boutique (Shop)

Canoa (Canoe)

Ho noa haholo / To noa a lot

Bemba for a weakling or coward (literally something that limps).

Baby/Small child (Little one)

Kanuya, yɛrɛ di mɔgɔ ye (Love, giving yourself to someone)

Traditional stove

Traffic police with a speed radar (speed trap officer) (Origin: Chichewa slang)

Cantar bonito (Sing beautifully)

But / yet / actually.

Amor em Mandinka (Love in Mandinka)

Kanu (Love - Dioula)

Kanu kɛla, aimeur (Love doer, lover)

Maritime rules

Conservation rules

Ancient rules

Potasse traditionnelle (Traditional potash)

“Step on it, let’s go” – instructing a driver to drive off quickly (common with boda or taxi when wanting to leave fast)...

Viande, nourriture (Meat, food) - slang

Kanye (Ngwaketse capital)

Dança Papel (Papel dance)

White robe

Tsohle / Lintho tsohle (All / Everything)

Strips of beef grilled on open flames, sold in the market – a famous Namibian street food. Also means any lucrative hust...

Shamba kwa Kipokot (Farm in Pokot)

Oshimaliwa shoka sha fa (Emergency money / last money)

A weightlifter or extremely muscular person (like one carrying heavy *peta*, weights).

Slang for a very short haircut or being nearly bald (from “capim” grass, like crewcut).

Slang term for 'underwear' or 'panties.' It's a local fun word one might hear in jokes or light teasing

Sub-chief

Capital (Capital/Investment money)

Shamba kwa Kikalenjin (Farm in Kalenjin)

Kapokier (Kapok tree)

A street hustler, tout or wheeler-dealer typically found in bus stations or markets (can be derogatory or just descripti...

Bebida tradicional de milho (Traditional corn drink)

Bebida destilada local (Local distilled drink)

Name of a popular Angolan music style, used slangily to mean something is old-school or local flavor. Usage: Ele dança k...

Kapuka (Kenya music)

Originally the Oshiwambo word for an old car tire sandal, now used for any cheap footwear or to mock someone's shoes

Cheap homemade liquor (moonshine)" ("Namlish slang")

Karafuu/viungo (Cloves/spices)