Browse African Slang

Life of hardship

Mtu wa maisha (Life person)

Trano / House

Résidence seniors moderne (Modern retirement home)

Demeure familiale (Family home)

Maison des parents (Parents' house)

From maison (house), this Togolese French slang refers to a homebody – someone who stays home a lot

Responsable femme (Female manager)

Maitresse (Mistress)

Maitseboa (In the evening)

Mora sosotra / Mora tezitra (Easily upset / Quick tempered)

Mora / Tsy sarotra (Easy / Not difficult)

Shona exclamation meaning “Oh my goodness!” or “Oh no!” (expressing shock or concern).

Maize (Corn)

Nicknames for Chibuku opaque beer (since it’s made from fermented maize; *blueprint* because one brand has a blue carton...

Medicinal leaves

Majaribio/kujaribisha (Trials/testing)

Water

Pas d'eau (No water)

Maji ni uhai (Water is life)

Clean water

Clean water

Maji ya nazi kijani (Green coconut water)

Medicinal water

Maji ya nazi (Coconut water)

River water

Rainwater

Octopus season

Dry seasons

Ranta tse peli / R2 (Two rand / R2)

Majita (Guys/Friends)

Guys or dudes (friends in a group). (Origin: Tsotsitaal, from Zulu “amadoda”)

مجنون (Crazy / mad)

Insane

Majojo (Iron smelting site)

Premier de classe (Top of class)

Clé du succès (Major key)

ماجوريل بلو - أزرق ماجوريل (Majorelle blue)

Fanba, caman ye (Big part, majority)

Avy Mahajanga / Sakalava (From Mahajanga / Sakalava)

Slang meaning “abroad” or “overseas” (literally “to the upper places”). Often refers to going to Western countries.

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

Problema de saúde (Health problem)

Mandreraka / Mampahory (Exhausting / Troublesome)

Charcoal

Ancient tombs

Como está em ndau (How are you in Ndau)

Budget estimates

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...

Clouds