Browse African Slang

Literally “sweeping brooms,” it’s a colloquial term for Ugandans hustling abroad in menial jobs.

Jefe, persona importante (Boss, important person)

Nkwe (Leopard - fierce)

Nkɔmmɔ bɔne (Bad talk) - Gossip or slander

Nna (Me/As for me)

Me (Sotho).

Nnake (Younger sibling)

Nngwe (Some/Another)

Nnyaa (No)

Nnye (Small/Few)

Emphasizes that something is big or significant.

It's not new/Been happening (This isn't new)

نو بيتشز - No bitches

Bila kidhib (No lie)

No cap (No lie)

Ngiliciniso ku-Nkulunkulu (Truth on God)

No condition (Nothing permanent)

A common saying (often in Pidgin) meaning financial situations can change – a poor person can become rich and vice versa...

“At home” (cúbico = small room/apartment). Used by youth to refer to chilling at someone’s place.

نو دايز اوف (No days off)

(Pidgin) Literally 'don't be dull,' meaning don't hesitate or miss an opportunity. Friends say this to encourage a shy p...

Don’t slack or no time to be idle.

Avoid conflict (No violence)

Sans filtre (No filter)

Our future

No give up (Persevere)

Won't agree / won't back down (Afro influence).

No how (No way)

No job (Unemployment)

Ugandan English to emphasize truth or intensity (“seriously”).

We won't surrender!

نو كيزي - No cap

نو ليمتس (No limits)

Tsy miherika / No looking back

No make sense (Illogical)

Tsy misy makiazy / No makeup

Bila makiyaj (Without makeup)

Natural look/Minimal cosmetics (Subtle makeup)

Absolutely nothing

No oh (Negative)

No one (Nobody)

Pas d'effort pas de résultat (No pain no gain)

No place (Nowhere)

Means 'not much' or 'no big deal.'

نو برينتر - بدون كذب (no lie)

ችግር የለም/ችግር የለም (Chiger yelem) - no problem

نو ريڭريتس - بدون ندم (no regrets)

Means 'this is not a game' – used to warn that a situation is serious.

Everything okay.

Everything okay.