Browse African Slang

Paka (Time/Era)

Paka/mnyama wa nyumbani (Cat/home animal)

Until the end; to the finish" (Chichewa-English slang)

Woven basket, used in phrase “amebebwa na pakacha” meaning someone got pregnant (colloquial gentle way).

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

Pako (Evidence/Token)

Pako ya lerato (Love token)

Parler, discours (To talk, speech)

Pala/mnyama wa michezo (Impala/game animal)

Agriculture à Pala

Connection de Pala (Pala connection)

Exactement (Exactly)

Problema, discusión (Problem, argument)

Agreement to end conflict

Traditional meeting

Discussion traditionnelle (Traditional discussion)

Médiation contemporaine (Modern palaver)

Palabre organisée (Palaver organized)

Discussion traditionnelle (Palaver under the tree)

Arbre à palabres (Meeting tree)

Palabrer (To discuss at length)

Discussion/dispute (Discussion/argument)

Quelqu'un qui parle trop (Someone who talks too much)

Palace (Royal house)

Résidence du roi (King's residence)

Funny opposites both meaning “house” (palais ironically for a shack, ghetto as casual term for home).

Palamente (Parliament)

Palapye (Town)

Problem/Trouble (Issue)

Trouble or problem (similar to wahala).

Palava (Problem/trouble)

Meeting place/Court (Traditional court)

Trouble, fuss, or complicated situation. Also used to mean an argument or prolonged discussion.

Trouble, fuss, or complicated situation. Also used to mean an argument or prolonged discussion.

Palavra dita (Spoken word)

Palavra complicada (Complicated word)

Word power

Là-bas (There)

Flower (nickname).

Color palette (Color scheme)

Brincadeira, coisa ridícula (Clowning, ridiculous thing)

Casa tradicional de palha (Traditional straw house)

No problem; it’s nothing (Origin: Chichewa)

Pallass bi rafet na (The hangout spot is nice)

Traditional soup/Stew (Palm nut soup)

واحات النخيل (Palm groves)

Palm oil (Cooking oil)

Traditional alcohol/Tree wine (Local liquor)

Cóctel de vino de palma (Palm wine cocktail)

Musique du vin de palme (Palm wine music)