Browse African Slang

KNUST traditional hall (Tech hall)

Corruption; embezzlement" (Chichewa)

Pretending to be dead (Katavi is a region with a famous “play-dead” trick used by locals on charging hippos). Used when ...

كتب كتاب - Marriage contract

كتب كتاب (Marriage contract)

Igname frite (Fried yam)

ቃተኛ/ቃተኛ (Spiced bread)

Slang for the local flip-flop sandals, used to symbolize being super casual or broke. Usage: He showed up in shorts and ...

Now; so

Mchezo wa watoto (Children's game)

Inside hearts

Katibu/mwandishi (Secretary/writer)

Village secretary

Ville du Nord (Northern city)

Katlego (Success)

Mixed breakfast dish

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

Katro / Card game

Katse (Cat - sneaky)

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)

Northeastern rhythms (Regional music)

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

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).

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

Nyumba kwa Kitaita (Home in Taita)

Kayaking

Kayak de mer (Sea kayaking)

Ala ya muziki (Musical instrument)

Wood shaker

Female head porter (Female porter)

There is (Oran)

How are you? (Arabic)

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

Kazi (Work - from Swahili)

Shogol (Work - Swahili)

Kazi/shughuli (Work/activity)

Hard work

Kazi ni kazi tu (Work is just work)

Easy work

Kazi tu (Just work)

Kazi ya kozi (Course work)

Kazi ya mikono (Handwork)

Kazi ya mchanga, kazi ngumu (Manual labor, hard work)

Kazi za nyumbani (House chores)

Youth jobs

Dança tradicional (Traditional dance)