Browse African Slang

Fruit seller

Seller

Each person

Classy person

Motor pump

Suiveur (Follower) - metaphor

Evil spirit

Being broke or having no money (literally “dry”). Usage: Awa c’est mpiaka – no mozo na poche (I’m totally broke – no mon...

Someone without money, a broke person. Usage: Aboya kozwa taxi, aza mpiakeur solo le gars wana (He refused to take a tax...

Interdiction (Prohibition) - Lingala

Palm grubs

Black nightshade

Whistle

Nouveau (New) - Swahili

Slang for underwear (literally not nice words, akin to “undies”). Usage: Soki okeyi na piscine, yebá ofungoli mudinda na...

Congolese multilingualism

Funeral music

Religious music

Literally “skin of Bata (shoe),” slang for cheap slippers (Bata is a shoe brand). Usage: Aleki na musuni ya Bata – She’s...

Slang for “leader” or someone who others follow (like the engine of a train). Usage: Na groupe na bino, yo nde mutu trai...

Health insurance

Transport, taxi (Transport, taxi) - slang

Luba dance

Bien (Good) - Swahili

A rich person (“moneyed one”). Usage: Ye mvuandu ya quartier – He’s the rich guy of the neighborhood.

Heavy rain

Professeur (Teacher) - Swahili

King/chief (Eastern DRC)

All casual address terms like “dude/buddy” in Lingala slang (mwana mayi = child of water, oncle = uncle, etc.). Usage: E...

Rich kid

Warm-hearted woman

Fin (End) - Swahili

Blanc, européen (White person, European) - Swahili

Trusted mechanic

Medal

Counterfeit medicine