Browse African Slang

Kukwatira tchalitchi / Yoyera (To marry church / white)

Wopambana atenga / Zonse (Winner takes / all)

Kukwatira dzinja / Lozizira (To marry winter / cold)

Kugwira ntchito / Yochuluka (To do work / much)

Kulandira ndalama / Kuvulala (To receive money / injury)

Kukondana kuntchito / Kubisa (To love at work / hide)

Kuphunzira msonkhano / Wantchito (To learn meeting / work)

Kuphunzira sukulu / Kupita (To learn school / go)

Kufika pamwamba / Penipeni (To reach top / very)

Kupeza cholowa / Chatsopano (To find entry / new)

Kudya keke / Zachikhalidwe (To eat cakes / traditional)

Kudya nsomba / Zazombera (To eat fish / smoked)

Kudya mpaka kukhuta / Kudya kwambiri (To eat until full / eat a lot)

Spreading customs

Spreading culture

Spreading culture

Kuumia/kuwa na shida (To suffer/have problems)

Réussir (To succeed)

Kushinda (To succeed)

Passing exam

Kuhisi (To feel)

Kuopa / Kuchita mantha (To fear / be scared)

Kuwa online (To be online)

Kuchita bwino / Kupambana (To succeed / make it)

Atteindre l'objectif (Reach goal)

Kumaliza kabisa (To finish completely)

To squeeze financially

Suivre (To follow)

Kusahau mambo yote (To forget everything)

To force things or fake it.

Following progress

Following stars

Revival of practices

(Swahili) Being caught in the act (usually of cheating). If someone amefumaniwa, it means their spouse or partner caught...

Medicine steaming

Teaching customs

Teaching culture

Kufunga bao (To score)

Fasting Ramadan

Kufunga gari la serikali (To lock government vehicle)

Kumaliza biashara (To close a deal)

Kuongea mambo ya moyoni (To open up emotionally)

Kukamatwa (To be arrested)

“To be braked,” meaning to get a sudden stop put to your plans (often used in dating if someone gets rejected).

Se réjouir (To be happy)

To chicken out or become quiet (literally “to tuck tail”).

To tuck tail i.e. back down.

Kugabanya (To reduce/divide)

Kugaragaza (To demonstrate)

Kugaruka inyuma (To regress)