Browse African Slang

Is it like that?

Means “don’t make a big deal out of it.” (Origin: Sudanese Arabic, lit. "don’t ring the bell")

Do you know the place? (Somali)

“Stop bothering us with nonsense” or “quit giving us a hard time.” (Origin: Sudanese Arabic, lit. "don’t bring out our r...

ما تيأسش (Don't give up)

Don't be afraid

ما تسمعش؟ - ألا تسمع؟ (don't you hear?)

Are you going together? (Somali)

Are you still there? (Somali)

Did something happen? (Somali)

Is it real/true?

Not bad (Somali)

ما يجيش بساعة ما يجيش بسنة (What doesn't come in an hour won't come in a year)

ما يهمكش كلام الناس (Don't care about people's talk)

Do you have money? (Arabic)

It's okay; never mind

Ma-biiga (Mother's child - sibling)

Traditional Oshiwambo dance (Traditional dance)

Ma-n-doogo (Mother's place - maternal family)

Respectful address for an older woman (Ma) or man (Pa)

مع - With

مع السلامة (With peace / goodbye)

معادش (No more / not anymore)

معاش - Salary/Pension

Parsley

I don't have

معهد (Institute)

معجوب (Attracted / crushing)

It's okay/nevermind

It's okay/never mind

It's okay/never mind

ماعندك الحق - ليس لك الحق (you have no right)

ماعندك مايدار - ليس لديك ما تفعله (you have nothing to do)

ماعندكش مع شكون تهضر - لا تعرف مع من تتكلم (you don't know who you're talking to)

معرفة (Acquaintance / knowing someone)

Who you know

Charity feast

معسل - Flavored tobacco

مأذون - Marriage official

معزوم - Invited (to wedding)

مطبخ (Kitchen)

محدش - No one

محل - Store

محطة (Station)

Shona for “problems” or a tough situation (literally “things are bad”). Often said as “*Zvine maOne*” meaning “things ar...

Maabane (Yesterday)

School laboratory

Since/as long as

Female ceremony

Maadili/tabia nzuri (Morals/good behavior)