African Slang Words Starting With "M"

Chenilles (Caterpillars)

Dried grasshoppers

Village races

'Races on the floor,' a phrase meaning going nowhere despite effort (running in place). Used to describe futile efforts ...

Traditional instrument

Instrument traditionnel (Traditional instrument)

Whitefish

Clay pot

Zebra (Zebra)

Mtu mweusi (Dark-skinned person)

A dumb or dull person.

Mbo'o (Friend/buddy - Douala)

País, tierra natal (Country, homeland)

Amigo / parceiro (Friend / buddy)

Olá, oi (Hello, hi)

Mboa (Friend - Yaoundé slang)

Village, pays (Village, country)

“Crazy girl,” said affectionately or teasingly.

“Talked-about girl,” meaning a girl who’s the subject of gossip. Usage: Depois daquela festa ela virou mboa falada lá no...

“Serious girl,” means a nice girl (as in girlfriend material).

A fun way to emphasize something belonging to someone, like “his girl” or “his thing.”

Khadama (House help)

Ethnie du Nord (Northern ethnic group)

Mboga/mazao ya bustani (Vegetables/garden crops)

Leafy vegetables

Mboga za kilimo (Farm vegetables)

Means 'crew' or squad of friends. From Kikuyu mũbũgi (group). Popularized in songs ('mbogi genje').

Youth slang (from Sheng) for crew or squad. Your close friend group.

Kundi la wazee (Group of elders / respected people)

Mbogo/ng'ombe wa msitu (Buffalo/wild cow)

Pays, village (Country, village) - Lingala

Pays, village (Country, village)

Country will improve

Village ancestral (Ancestral village)

Country of hope

Suma mbokk (My relative/family)

Famille/parents (Family/relatives)

The kinfolk

Munhu ane hutsinye (Thug/rude person)

Mbola tsara / Still good

Mbolea/kitu cha kuongeza rutuba (Fertilizer/fertility increaser)

Mbolea ya kinyesi (Organic fertilizer)

Organic fertilizer

A term with multiple uses: thieves use mbolha for stolen loot, minibus conductors use it for passengers, and some use it...

Saludo tradicional Fang (Traditional Fang greeting)

Salut, bonjour (Hi, hello)

Bonjour en myènè (Hello in Myene)

Mboma (Python/big person)

Mbombo (Europe)

Kazi kwa Kitaita (Work in Taita)