African Slang Words Starting With "P"

Shona for “it’s tough/critical.” Can also commend someone (“pakaipa” meaning they were awesome, context is key).

Nguva nenguva (sometimes)

Musika wekunze (parallel market)

Ipaki (park)

Kugezesa tsoka (pedicure)

Shona for “crazy”, used to mean awesome or insane. Can be positive like “lit.”

Slang for a pretty girl (like she’s “a cutie pie”).

Used to mean an *improvised solution* or *hustle.* (“Make a plan” is common, but youth might just say “plan” for a schem...

Iphlathinamu (platinum)

Kamba yemapurisa (police station)

Ukungcola (pollution)

Mutariri (prefect)

Chirongwa (project)

Kukumbira (proposing)

Pumula (Suburb in Bulawayo)

Mota (Car)

Pada (Traditional board game)

Panhandare (At the sports field)

Ipapo ipapo (Immediately)

Pamusika (At the market)

Pari/Party (Party)

Pasipoti (Passport)

Pachitoro (At the small shop)

Penalty (Spot kick)

Pfumvudza (Conservation farming)

Phuma (Get out)

Podcast (Audio show)

POS machine (Card machine)

Power bank (Portable charger)

Kurumbidza (Praise)

Munamato (Prayer)

Gwaro remushonga (Prescription)

Pressure (Pressure)

Profit (Gain)