Browse African Slang

Maabara (Laboratory)

Madem (Ladies)

Mtoto kwa Kipokot (Child in Pokot)

Mtoto kwa Kikalenjin (Child in Kalenjin)

Picha ya mandhari (Landscape)

Kusonga kando (Lateral move)

Emoji ya kucheka (Laughing emoji)

Mhadhiri (Lecturer)

Ukumbi wa masomo (Lecture hall)

Mhadhiri amekosa akili (Lecturer has gone crazy)

Lenzi (Lens)

“Today is the day” implying now’s the moment or it’s going down today.

“Today is today, whoever says tomorrow is a liar,” meaning seize the day. Often abbreviated to **Leo ni leo**.

A cheeky Kenyan term referring to the practice of stashing money in a lesso (wrapper cloth) at home, as some grandmother...

Mpango wa somo (Lesson plan)

“Bring” but used imperatively in slang to demand something.

Mambo ya maktaba (Library issues)

Mwanga (Lighting)

Kunyoa mistari (Hair line up)

Wakati gani? (When?)

Shamba kwa Kiluhya (Farm in Luhya)

State of being lit/fun (borrowed from global slang).

Little cab

Gitaa la kitamaduni (Traditional guitar)

Maisha makubwa (Living big)

Chumba cha kusubiri (Waiting room)

Kelele nyingi (Loud)

Lugha yetu ya taifa (Our national language)

Outfit or style (from English “look”).

Kukutana chakula (Lunch date)

Saa ya chakula (Lunch hour)

Hali ya saa ya chakula (Lunch hour vibes)

Tamasha la Kiluo (Luo Festival)

Good vibes or fun times.