Browse African Slang

Fin (End) - Swahili

Good ending

“End of the railway,” meaning the ultimate end or fed up.

Kumaliza safari (To finish a journey)

Mara ya mwisho (Last time)

Mwituni/ndani ya msitu (In the forest)

Mwizi/mtu anayeiba (Thief/person who steals)

“A thief is just a thief,” said to shrug that a person’s nature won’t change.

Mtu anayevutia sana (Very attractive person)

Mtu anayeogopa (Coward person)

Ngoma ya Kikuyu (Kikuyu dance)

Mwongo/mtu wa uongo (Liar/person of lies)

Mtu wa kweli (Honest person)

Mtu anayeongoza wengine (Person who guides others)

Kiongozi mkuu wa kuelekeza (Main leader for direction)

Kiongozi wa kikundi cha kazi (Leader of work group)

Kiongozi wa hatua za mwisho (Leader of final steps)

Kiongozi wa kusonga (Leader of movement)

Life guidance

A dismissive clicking of the tongue, written as 'mxm.' A sound often transcribed in texts expressing annoyance, disbelie...

My love/Sweetheart (My darling)

A slang term for "my girl" or girlfriend. "Cherry" is township slang for a pretty girl or one's female love interest. It...

Slang for "my friend" or "my mate." "China" comes from Cockney rhyming slang (China plate = mate) and in South Africa it...

Common Ugandan address, often between women or from a woman to anyone (not necessarily indicating close relationship).

A viral Afrikaans-English saying that translates to "My f**k, Marilize." It became popular after a meme, and it's used t...

My friend/Sister (My lady)

Close friend or buddy (<a href="/word/can" class="internal-link" title="View definition of Can">can</a> apply to any gen...

My guy (My friend)

Zimbabwean youth English habit of calling a friend “my guy,” meaning bro/buddy. It’s unisex despite “guy.”

My love/Sweetheart (Darling)

Means "my kid" or "my boy," referring to one's son or a young boy. "Laaitie" (pronounced like "lighty") is slang for a y...

Forma de chamar o chapa (Way to call minibus)

Casual address to a male friend (even if speaking to a female sometimes). Similar to 'buddy.'

An affectionate slang term meaning "my old man," referring to one's father. "Ou toppie" literally means old toppie (old ...

My family/Friends (My folks/Crew)

Hometown/Origin (My homeland)

(SA English slang) A phrase to describe one's special someone – the partner who truly gets you. Saying 'you're my person...

A quirky Liberian habit is to answer 'How are you?' with 'Myself fine.' It means 'I'm fine,' using 'myself' for emphasis...

محطم الأساطير (Myth buster)

Légende (Myth)

Mytho (Liar/lie)

Menteur (Liar)

Ethnie côtière (Coastal ethnic group)

Mzabibu/mti wa zabibu (Grape vine/grape tree)

Mkulima wa zabibu (Grape cultivator)

Lit. 'old person,' slang for dad or any respected older man. Many youths call their father 'mzae.'

Cousin/friend.

My close cousin homie.

Mtu anayependa nchi yake (Person who loves their country)

Mtu anayezalisha mazao (Person who produces crops)