Browse African Slang

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Nairobi ni kipekee (Nairobi is unique)

Baridi ya Nairobi (Nairobi cold)

(Swahili) 'I love you.' The straightforward phrase for expressing love in East Africa. One might add sana to say Nakupen...

Jinsi gani? (How?)

Aina ya pombe (Type of alcohol)

Mwanga wa asili (Natural light)

Kutembea katika mazingira (Nature walk)

Mbegu za kunde (Green grams)

One thousand shillings

Ndovu ni utajiri wa taifa (Elephants are wealth)

Arrowroot

Slang for motorcycle, especially the commercial motorcycle taxis (boda boda).

Dereva wa pikipiki (Motorcycle driver)

Hapana (Negative)

Mipango ya mwaka mpya (New Year plans)

Ng'ombe wa maziwa (Dairy cow)

Mungu wa Mlima Kenya (God of Mount Kenya)

Slang for matatu (public transport minibus).

Ngapi? (How many/much?)

Elfu moja (One thousand)

Wait

Ngoma za kitamaduni (Traditional dances)

Means 'problematic, messed-up' (same as noma) or used as 'trouble'. Popularized by the hit song 'Wanjiku Kimani (Ngori)....

Elfu tano (Five thousand)

Mavazi (Clothes)

Kuku wa kienyeji (Local chicken)

What's up? greeting asking what's going on.

“I’m fine/alright.” Often said as response to greetings.

Ni mbaya (It's bad)

Nimechoka (I'm tired/bored)

Sijaeleweka (I'm confused)

Nimekasirika (I'm angry)

Nimechoka (I'm tired)

Nina furaha (I'm happy)

Nataka sana (I really want)

Sitaki (I refuse)

(Swahili slang) Literally 'I have died for you.' It means 'I'm crazy in love with you' or 'I've fallen hard for you.' Of...

Nimestaajabu (I'm surprised)

Nimeelewa (I understand)

Nimehuzunika (I'm hurt)

Shida ni nini? (What's wrong?)

Nitakushika, nitakuadhibu (I'll catch you, I'll punish you)

Sheng-ified “I’ll show you/tell you.”

Sigara (Cigarette)

Sherehe ya ujana wa Kimaasai (Maasai warrior ceremony)

Sheng for 'problem' or 'terrible', derived from Swahili 'norma' (to be fierce). Saying 'ni noma' can mean 'it's awesome'...

A phrase used to set up gossip or a story: 'the crazy thing is…'. E.g. Noma ni ulijua huyu ni boy? (The crazy part is, d...

Hapana (Nope)

Haitafanyika (Not happening)