African Slang Words Starting With "M"

Mobile money (also used as a verb to send money via phone).

Master of Ceremonies

Mwakilishi wa wadi (Ward representative)

Man Crush Monday

Sheng for mother (from “mother”).

Maji mengi (Floods)

Mischief or trouble.

Mahindi ya kuchoma (Roasted maize)

Mpenzi mkuu (Main girlfriend)

Maisha ni safari ndefu (Life is a long journey)

Kinywaji (Drink / beverage)

Maji ni uhai (Water is life)

Maji ya nazi (Coconut water)

Means 'overseas/abroad,' from 'juu' (above). Kenyans use majuu to refer to Western countries or anywhere abroad.

Utingo wa matatu (Matatu tout)

Another slang for police.

To do something intensely or extremely well.

Pamba (Makeup)

Finish (also can mean to kill in context).

Jengo la maduka (Mall)

Mama (Mother)

Muuzaji mboga (Vegetable seller)

Literally 'things/affairs' in Swahili, used as a casual 'hi.' One says 'mambo?' and the other might reply 'poa' or 'fres...

Hali tatu tu (Only three options)

Kuna mengi ya kufanya (There's much to do)

“How are things?” (informal). Often shortened to just “Mambo!”.

Meneja (Manager)

Kitumbua cha kusukuma (Fried dough)

Mandazi za mafuta mengi (Oil-dripping mandazis)

Originally a derogatory term for Kenyan-Indian shopkeepers, it now casually means 'shopkeeper' (of any ethnicity) or som...

Pesa kidogo (Small money)

To be shocked or surprised.

Kupamba mikono (Manicure)

Kupamba mikono na miguu (Mani-pedi)

Ilani (Manifesto)

Sheng for 'girl' or one's girlfriend. Calling someone 'manzi yangu' means 'my girl' (could be daughter or girlfriend con...

Maonyesho ya sanaa (Art exhibitions)

Asubuhi (Early / morning)

A Swahili proverb meaning 'Love is like a cough; it cannot be hidden.' It humorously suggests that being in love will al...

Upishi wa mama (Mother's cooking)

Wakati huu (This time)

Jibu la shikamoo (Response to shikamoo)

Soko (Market)

Soko la FB (Facebook marketplace)

Siku ya mashujaa (Heroes day)

Poor person

Uzamili (Masters)

Matatu (Public van)

Utamaduni wa matatu (Matatu culture)

Mechi (Match)