Browse African Slang

God's peace

My peace (Somali) - affectionate goodbye

Peace elder (Somali)

Nabiiga (Prince)

Cidade portuária próxima (Nearby port city)

Douceur nacrée (Pearl softness)

ندى (Dew)

Good person; decent

Dew

ندم - Regret

ناظوري - من الناظور (from Nador)

Profit/Bénéfice (Profit/Benefit)

نفس (Breath / moment)

Job openings

Job vacancies

Extra prayers

نفسك - Yourself

Anyway or to emphasize a point (Origin: Wolof/Senegalese)

Naga (Veld/Bush)

نجاح - Success/Pass

ናጋ/ሰላም (Peace - Oromo)

Nageng (In the veld/countryside)

Se déplacer dans l'eau (Move in water)

Nageur (Swimmer)

Cattle keeping area

Thank you (Thanks)

Disagreement/No (Nah)

Ho nahana ruri / To nahana ruri

النهاردة - اليوم (Today)

Thin

Literally 'a burned/bad day,' used when something terrible happens or it's an unlucky day. It's like saying 'What a disa...

Nickname for Nigeria

A popular saying meaning 'Nigerians never come in last.' It reflects the hustler spirit – Nigerians always strive to suc...

Tense competition (Nervous game)

Nail color (Manicure)

Skinder by nail salon (Gossip at nail salon)

Nail technician - Manicurist/pedicurist

Art des ongles (Nail art)

نيلد ات (Nailed it)

Copperbelt slang meaning *“I know/understand,”* often said as interjection (possibly from “I know loss”?).

Petite entreprise (Small company) - metaphor

In Nigeria, even though 'NairaBET' is a betting company, people use 'nairabet' colloquially to mean any sports betting h...

Nairobi ni kipekee (Nairobi is unique)

Baridi ya Nairobi (Nairobi cold)

Carpenter

كيف حالك (How are you)

Good morning (Morning greeting)

To learn the ropes or get initiated (from Nyanja meaning “to cut the line” – i.e., get into business).

Used to tease someone who’s slow or late.

ናቕፋ - ኤርትራዊ ባጤራ (Nakfa - Eritrean currency)