Browse African Slang

Music label

Laboratory

Whistleblower

National languages

All slang for “money” (various local terms, e.g., *likonda* from “liquidity”).

Car washer

African leadership

Cover letter

Slang for tripping someone using your leg (“sweep kick”). Usage: Na match, autaki kozua mbongo na leveur double patte – ...

End of mourning

Slang referring to a Congolese of Brazzaville (across river). Used in jokes about accents or rivalry. Usage: Alobi “mbot...

Traditional wedding

Church wedding

Pierre, obstacle (Stone, obstacle) - Lingala metaphor

Ancestors' legacy

Protective charm

Captain fish wrap

Before time

Conditional release

Slang for a small shop or boutique. Usage: Nakendeki na ligablo nazui credit ya téléphone (I went to the corner shop to ...

Above water

Above the world

“Fuel” (gasoline slang). Youth use it to complain about fares or needing fuel money. Usage: Soki olingi ete tokende beac...

Forgive me

Easy Lingala

Heartfelt Lingala

Leader du marché (Market leader) - metaphor

Real kiss

Liquidité (Liquidity) - French

Facebook live

Mort (Death) - Lingala

Speak respectfully

Speak truth

Lobbying (Lobbying) - English

Traditional heritage

Locataire (Tenant) - French

Slit drum

Traditional guitar

String instrument

Parcelle, cour (Plot, yard) - Lingala

Praise

Prédateur économique (Economic predator) - metaphor

Lingala Kinois slang for a shirt (literally from French “le shirt”). Used among youth to refer to a cool shirt or top.