African Slang Words Starting With "K"

Kubisalira / Kuchita zachinsinsi (To do something secretly)

Mvua (Raining)

To whisper or gossip

Kunyora bvunzo (To write an exam)

Literally 'to straighten.' Slang: to beat someone up or to fix an issue strictly.

To despise or look down on

To the house

Luganda for “to enjoy oneself,” used in urban mix to mean having fun.

To smile

Kunyemwerera (smiling)

Gufata ibinyobwa (To drink alcohol)

Kunywa (To drink)

Ashrab (Drink - Swahili)

Kunywa pombe (To drink alcohol)

Kunywa hamwe (To drink together)

'to drink tobacco,' meaning to smoke (cigarettes or otherwise). Youth use this literal phrase as slangy humor

Kunywana (To be friends)

Kunzwa (understanding)

Kuoa/kufunga ndoa (To marry)

Kufunga ndoa/kuungana (Marrying each other)

Sea swimming

Medicine bathing

Kuokoa/kupika polepole (Steaming/slow cooking)

Kuolewa/kupokea ndoa (To be married)

To borrow money

Lozi ceremony

To cure/heal

To be poor

Urban slang meaning to make it big or get lucky success (e.g. suddenly getting rich/famous).

To become successful or rich suddenly.

Sheng (Kenyan slang) term meaning to suddenly become rich or successful. Kuomoka is 'to make it big' financially, often ...

To see

Shona: to freeload or capitalize without contributing. If you attend a braai empty-handed to just eat, wanga onorera.

To point finger

Kuzungumza masuala muhimu (To talk about important issues)

Kuwa zaidi ya zamani (To be more than before)

Kuwa kiongozi (To be a leader)

To roast

Allah/Rab (God - from Nuer)

To apply/smear

Kunyenga / Kukopa (To flatter / sweet talk)

Kuondoa magugu mashambani (To remove weeds from farm)

Fighting conditions

Kuingia katika gari (To enter a vehicle)

Kuotesha mbegu mashambani (To sow seeds on the farm)

Kulemba m'nthawi / Kukhala ndi zinthu (To be successful / have wealth)

Tree planting

Kulumikiza mapulogalamu / Pamodzi (To connect programs / together)

Kupanga njira / Yopitilira (To make path / continuous)

Kulemba CV / Kukonza mbiri (To write CV / prepare history)