Browse African Slang

Sweet pancakes (Somali) - street food's call

A very Tunisian way to start exclamatory phrases, meaning “so/what a…!”

مالد - Mad and bald

امتياز الذكور (Male privilege)

“What’s wrong with you?” often used when someone is acting off. Usage: Malek a khouya, you look upset – something happen...

From French mal élevé (badly raised), in Creole it means a rude, ill-mannered person. Calling someone malelve is like ca...

Tsy mahery / Mora kivy (Weak / Easily upset)

Tsara fanahy / Mora indramina (Kind hearted / Compassionate)

Malengo ya kazi (Work goals)

Youth goals

Incompréhension (Misunderstanding)

An all-purpose “never mind/sorry/no problem.” Conveys sympathy or apology for a minor issue.

Ma fi mushkila/Acin ke piny (No problem - Dinka influenced)

Better upbringing

Gold spoon

Misfortune

ملحون بويتري - شعر الملحون (Malhoun verse)

Means “mother” in Nyanja but slang-wise used to affectionately refer to any older woman or mom (like “mama”).

حدود مالي (Mali border)

Malibu (Coconut rum)

Malin (Smart/clever)

Très malin (Clever as a monkey)

Malipo/kutoa pesa (Payment/money giving)

Good payment

Never mind, sorry, it's okay.

Finish (also can mean to kill in context).

مالك؟ - ما بك؟ (what's wrong with you?)

Mall (Shopping mall)

مول كرول - جولة المول (mall tour)

Cultura de centro comercial (Mall culture)

Bantfwana base-mall (Mall children)

An exclamation meaning “What a…!” used to emphasize amazement or sarcasm.

Literally “what goodness,” used sarcastically to mean “what the heck” or express disapproval.

Teacher/Respected man (Islamic teacher)

Mallam solution - Islamic spiritual help

Dumuni jɛlen, riz (White food, rice)

Indawo yetilwane (Place of animals)

Malome (Uncle - mother's brother)

'Crazy' – often exclaimed as a tease when someone does something wild. Mozambican pronunciation adds an 'o' (malouco)

مالوف (Traditional music)

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

Fanga tɛ, honte (No strength, shame)

Borrowed from Portuguese slang meaning “crew” or “the gang.”. Usage: A malta vai pra praia amanhã, vens? (The gang’s goi...

Doido / louco (Crazy person)

Uncle / older guy (friendly).

Folhas de mandioca (Cassava leaves)

Mam (Me - Mooré)

Mama (Mother - respectful address)

Mama/mwanamke (Mom/woman)

Mother; older woman