African Slang Words Starting With "N"

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

Jealousy; envy" (Chichewa)

Rattle

Nsanyuse (I'm happy)

Nsanyuse nnyo (I'm very happy)

Shoes

N'wananga, wansati (Girl, woman)

Nsawo (Money - Lusoga)

Under the earth

نسيتك (I forgot you)

Oferenda aos ancestrais (Offering to ancestors)

Nsenene (Grasshoppers - delicacy)

Nsenene season (Grasshopper season)

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

Mortar

انشالله خير (Hopefully good)

Staple food, also means any food

Money (literally 'beans')

Nshimirimana (I thank God - common name)

Nshuti (Friend)

Nshuti magara (True friend)

Colar tradicional (Traditional necklace)

After life

“We forgot,” often used collectively to shrug off something. Usage: Nsina darna l devoir… oh well, hope the teacher does...

I forgot

Traditional board game

Nsolo (Traditional game)

Small fish

Nsonga (Problem)

Medicinal clay

Poulet (Chicken)

Bebida tradicional fermentada (Traditional fermented drink)

Cheveux (Hair)

Calabash

Slang for “witch” or “wizard” (sorcerer), but youth call any sneaky person this humorously.

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

Nta kibazo (No problem)

Nta mahoro atagira intambwe (No peace without steps - progress requires effort)

Literally “are you engaged?”, slang tease if a guy is on the phone too long with a girl or acting whipped. Usage: Wow, c...

Nta munwa udashaka kurya (No mouth that doesn't want to eat - everyone has needs)

Nta mwana uhemukira nyina ku ijosi (No child rebels against mother at the breast - don't bite the hand that feeds)

Nta wuhera inyuma (No one left behind)

Chèvre (Goat)

Chèvre (Goat)

Pit-roasted goat

Chèvre blanche (White goat) - terme Plateaux

Chèvre sauvage (Wild goat)

Si nabi (Not bad)

Ntakibazo (No problem)

Slang for *big butt* or booty (from Bemba maybe).