Browse African Slang

Mambo (What's up - from Swahili)

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

Assunto / situação (Matter / situation)

Hali tatu tu (Only three options)

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

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

Literally 'hard thing,' meaning something really cool or impressive. If something is top-notch or awesome, it's a mambo ...

What's up

What's up

Comment ça va (How's it going)

Habari yako? (How are you?)

Means 'things/stuff,' same as in Angola. Instead of coisas, people say mambos for casual reference to matters or items

Fog

Mamela / Tsy mitazona lolom-po (Forgive / Not hold grudge)

Ho mamela ka thata / To mamela ka thata

The most successful soccer team in South Africa (and most rich). It is nicknamed masandawana or kabo yellow.

Mamelona / Manome fiainana (Give life / Support)

Esprit de l'eau (Water spirit)

Chica atractiva (Attractive girl)

Sirène, esprit de l'eau (Mermaid, water spirit)

Grand-mère (Grandmother)

Sirène, femme mystique (Mermaid, mystical woman)

Manao tselika / Tsy marina (Cheat / Lie)

Local authority

Organisation lourde (Heavy organization) - metaphor

ማሞ/ሞቅ ያለ ሰው (Cool person/hottie)

Mamogweregwere (Bat)

Mamoudzou city

Manome fanantenana / Mampanantena (Give hope / Promise)

A fool or idiot. Popularized by the Sowetan newspaper's 'Mampara of the Week'

Sethoto / Leqheku (Idiot / Fool)

Mampara (Fool)

An Afrikaans expression: a Mamparra is an idiot or stupid person. Typically used in reference to bad drivers. It also de...

Means “never.” Youth often use it for emphasis.

Means “lucky” (literally touched by grace). Usage: You found 500 dirhams on the ground? Mamsouk bzaf, that never happens...

Sirène, esprit de l'eau (Mermaid, water spirit)

Street slang in Malagasy youth culture for 'dude' or 'mate,' used to address a friend casually (similar to 'bro').

Camion de transport (Transport truck)

Sauce d'arachide (Peanut sauce)

Man woman (Everyone)

Guy, person

Irmã ou menina próxima (Sister or close girl)

Manafina / Tsy milaza (Hide / Not tell)

Gestion (Management)

Meneja (Manager)

Manager (Artist manager)

Manager (Artist manager)

Manaja / Mahalala voninahitra (Respect / Honor)

Manakara / Tanàna Manakara

Manambady / Efa voafidy (Married / Taken)