Browse African Slang

Harena Madagasikara / Madagascar treasure

Rubbish; nonsense

قصبة روينز - أطلال القصبة (Kasbah ruins)

كسيفة - Lazy/Sluggish

Cash/liquide (Cash)

Cash/liquide (Cash)

Street term for chaos, mayhem or serious trouble. If something is kasheshe, it’s a big mess.

كشف - Examination

Collection of township slang words and expressions that originated in the kasi (township) culture

Kasi (Township)

Township or neighbourhood, especially urban black communities.

Kasi flava (Township style)

Unique township style/spice.

Local gossip roundup.

Bophelo ba lekeisheneng / Township life

Township/location (Township)

A nosy person or someone who likes gossip.

Dry northeast monsoon

Vent du nord souffle (North wind blows)

Snack or small meal (from French *casse-croûte*). Youth use it for any light food break.

كسلان - Lazy

Viatu vya michezo (Sneakers)

Busy commercial town (Trading town)

Kasoa madness - Crazy situations in Kasoa

Used to mean a small issue or a nobody.

“My small insect” – a term of endearment akin to “my darling” in a joking way.

Maize, but used to imply something basic.

Break; joint (drugs)

Feuilles de manioc (Cassava leaves)

Kassak bi neex na (The traditional music is nice)

Slang for “trouble” or “drama,” named after the city but used to describe chaotic situations. (Origin: Sudanese Arabic)

Alternate spelling of kasi.

Lazy person

Kassumay keen? (How are you all? - Jola)

Castigo (Punishment)

Kat yi (The gossipers)

Couper, trancher (To cut, to slice)

Problèmes, ennuis (Problems, troubles)

A clueless or unsavvy person (someone too “village”).

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 (Kategna) - dried injera rolls

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

Mchezo wa watoto (Children's game)

Milieu, centre (Middle, center)

Inside hearts