Explore words from A to Z
Million dollars (hyperinflation era)
Dollars
In Shona it means “you’re bad,” but slang-wise it’s a playful compliment for something cool or a way to say thanks (“you...
Shona for “competition.” Used in slang to talk about rivalry or competitive situations (even love rivals).
Slang (from Ndebele/Zulu *inyama* meaning meat, or from “nyama-soya” as fake meat) – used to describe something or someo...
A hugely popular Creole intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'. It's placed before adjectives (from French marier – t...
A Shona proverb meaning 'money is in the pocket, but the heart is in the grave.' Used to describe someone who got rich b...
Slang (urban) for a rich person or “baller” who spends big (Chichewa/Nyanja origin, popularized in Zim youth talk).
Slang for a single cigarette (shared or sold individually).
Money
Street lingo for “dude” or “guy” (literally means “my face,” but used like “my guy”).
Ape or baboon (literal meaning), but as slang it’s an endearing clan praise name for Shona people with the totem baboon.
Ndebele slang for “big brother” or an older dude from your hood you respect.
The informal pirate taxis in Zimbabwe’s cities (known for reckless driving). Also used to describe any hectic, unregulat...
Zimbabwean youth English habit of calling a friend “my guy,” meaning bro/buddy. It’s unisex despite “guy.”
