Browse African Slang

Malengo ya kazi (Work goals)

Malipo/kutoa pesa (Payment/money giving)

Lovey-dovey talk or romance (often teasing someone for being too romantic).

Mama/mwanamke (Mom/woman)

Mwanamke anayeuza chakula (Woman who sells food)

Mama wa Kichagga (Chagga mother)

Mwanamke anayeuza chai (Woman who sells tea)

Mwanamke anayeuza mavazi (Woman who sells clothes)

Mwanamke anayeuza samaki (Woman who sells fish)

Informal 'hi' similar to saying 'things?' to check in.

Mambo safi (Things are good)

Popular Kiswahili saying: “Issues are many, hours are few” (so no time to waste). Often quoted to mean let’s get to the ...

Habari yako? (How are you?)

Manager/msimamizi (Manager/supervisor)

Mkate wa tamu (Sweet bread)

Mandazi za mafuta (Oil mandazi)

Maneno/mazungumzo (Words/conversation)

Mfalme wa Kichagga (Chagga king)

Umbo la mikono (Hand grooming)

Rangi ya dhahabu (Gold color)

Nyumba za Maasai (Maasai houses)

Maombi/sala (Prayer/worship)

Maonesho/maonyesho (Display/exhibition)

Maongezi/mazungumzo (Discussion/conversation)

Maongozi/uongozi (Guidance/leadership)

Maoni ya jamii (Community opinions)

Maonyesho/kuonyesha (Exhibition/showing)

Mapafu/viungo vya hewa (Lungs/air organs)

Mapato/pesa zinazoingia (Income/incoming money)

Early

Upendo/mahaba (Love/affection)

Mapera/matunda (Guavas/fruits)

Mapinduzi/mabadiliko makubwa (Revolution/big changes)

Response to shikamoo

Mbio za umbali (Long distance running)

Mashairi/maneno ya utunzi (Poetry/composition words)

Mashallah/kama Mungu alivyotaka (As God willed)

Mashindano/mapambano (Competition/contests)

Mchanganyiko wa nyimbo (Song mixture)

Msimu wa mvua kubwa (Heavy rain season)

Masikio/viungo vya kusikia (Ears/hearing organs)

Mtu hana chochote (Person with nothing)

Masomo/elimu (Studies/education)

Masomo ya ziada (Extra studies)

Kukamua/kupiga mafuta (Massage/oil rubbing)

Bwana/mkuu (Master/boss)

Shahada ya pili (Second degree)

Matakwa/matarajio (Requirements/expectations)

Means big spending or living extravagantly. Implies throwing money around for a good time.

Matofaa/matunda (Apples/fruits)