Browse African Slang

Traditional morals

A colloquial Hassaniya filler like 'you know' or 'so…', often drawn out in speech. For example, 'Maah… nhâr kemlé,' mean...

An Afrikaans phrase meaning "make a plan." In SA slang it's widely used to mean finding a way to solve a money problem. ...

Lie; falsehood" ("Setswana")

Good morning (Morning greeting)

ማል/ምን (What - Oromo)

Expert/master

Every day (Somali)

These days

Village-style or unsophisticated.

Mama wa Kihaya (Haya mother)

Mother

Monday (Monday)

I am here only - I am doing well (Origin: Wolof/Senegalese)

معاريف ستايل - أسلوب معاريف (Maarif district style)

Maarifa/ujuzi (Knowledge/skills)

Traditional knowledge

Maarifa ya vitabu (Book knowledge)

Maas (Sour milk)

Walking; okay

Hadamadenya, mɔgɔya cogoya (Humanity, way of being human)

Rio em Fula (River in Fula)

Héritage Maba (Maba heritage)

Mabadiliko/kubadilika (Changes/changing)

Positive changes

Mabadiliko ya elimu (Education changes)

Weather changes

Economic changes

Vila de Mabalane (Mabalane village)

Million dollars (hyperinflation era)

Mabawa/viumbe vya anga (Wings/sky creatures)

Mauvais/mal (Bad/evil)

مبيعات - Sales

Terre/sol fertile (Fertile soil)

Mabele (Sorghum)

Mabelo (Running)

Dance style

مبخوس، محظوظ (Lucky, fortunate)

መብላት/መብላት (Mablat) - to eat

Another term for older women dating younger men (cougars), used alongside Balimo and Zebra.

Mabogo dinku a thebana (Hands wash each other)

Poisson en papillote (Fish in banana leaves)

Chicken in leaves

Salutations/poignée de main (Greetings/handshake)

Maboko (Praises)

Mains d'entraide (Helping hands)

God's hands

Roupas de marca ou de alta qualidade (Brand name or high quality clothes)

Mabonde/maeneo ya chini (Valleys/low areas)

Fou (Crazy)