African Slang Words Starting With "N"

I'm not lying

Ngiliciniso ku-Nkulunkulu (Truth on God)

Always tells the truth

Nɔ lay → Not lying

Geen rus (No rest/calm)

No condition (Nothing permanent)

Things change/Life changes (Nothing lasts forever)

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)

Pa doute (No doubt)

Don’t slack or no time to be idle.

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

Avoid conflict (No violence)

Sans filtre (No filter)

نو فلتر (No filter)

بدون فلتر (No filter)

Our future

No give up (Persevere)

Don't disappoint me (Don't disappoint me)

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

No how (No way)

No job (Unemployment)

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

Serious

We won't surrender!

نو كيزي - No cap

نو ليمتس (No limits)

Tsy miherika / No looking back

No make sense (Illogical)

Natural face without makeup (Natural face without makeup)

Bila makiyaj (Without makeup)

Tsy misy makiazy / No makeup

Natural look/Minimal cosmetics (Subtle makeup)

Natuurlike voorkoms (Natural appearance)

No mi ples → Know my place

Absolutely nothing

No oh (Negative)

No one (Nobody)

Effort brings results (Work equals reward)

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

Pa douleur pa gannyen (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)

Stay strong (Stay strong)

Don't tell (Don't tell)

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