Browse African Slang

Numéro d'Identification Fiscale (Tax ID) - French acronym

With happiness

Petite entreprise (Small company) - metaphor

I can't

Qui (Who) - Lingala

I'm very happy

Dried fish

Hide the object game

Way of flying/escaping

Slang for “Senegalese” (just a fun term). Sometimes used if someone is wearing colorful bazin like West Africans. Usage:...

Oui (Yes) - Swahili

Petit (Small) - Swahili

New ndombolo

A musician or music artist (one who plays ndulé).

Music (especially soukous or local music).

Moi (Me) - Lingala

Water spinach

A person watching an event from outside without paying (like peeking at a concert).

God's grace

Heure (Hour) - Lingala

Roast pork

Dur, difficile (Hard, difficult) - Swahili

Catfish

“Sleep” or “sleepiness” (like the state of sleep). Usage: Ngól ezoboma ngai na classe – Sleepiness is killing me in clas...

Glory to God

Black magic

Homeland nostalgia

Notable person (French)

Ritual cleansing

Slang for sandals/flip-flops (reduplication for fun). Usage: Amemi nsanda-nsanda na soirée – He showed up in flip-flops ...

Rattle

Under the earth

Means “rice” in Kinshasa slang (common staple). Sometimes used metaphorically for basic food.

After life

Small fish

Medicinal clay

“Shoes” (from French *semelle* mispronounced), used to refer to sneakers especially.

Pit-roasted goat

Slang for a driver or chauffeur. Usage: Mopila na biso akomi kaka – Our driver just arrived, let’s go.

Slang for school or class (like “chik” as in chalk maybe).

Various slang for marijuana/weed (each a creative term among youth). Usage: Ba guys oyo bazalaki ko nua lopipi na se ya ...

Prayer night

Tax number

Nutritionist

Traditional judge

Maison (House) - Swahili

God will work it out

Traditional hopscotch

Good path

God's way