Browse African Slang

South C / South B

Shirikisho la wanafunzi (Student union)

Hivi sasa (Right now)

Hivi sasa (Right now)

Seventy shillings

Shida za chama cha madereva (Transport association problems)

Mashindano ya magari Kenya (Kenya car rally)

Kiongozi wa safari (Safari guide)

Safari ya Masai Mara (Masai Mara safari)

Wote salama (All are well)

Siku ya mshahara (Payday)

Nyongeza ya mshahara (Salary increase)

Mshahara (Salary)

Rekebisha mapema (Fix early)

Samaki safi wa bahari (Fresh coastal fish)

Sambusa (Samosa)

Sambusa za nyama (Meat samosas)

Sanaa ya mitaani (Street art)

Leave it/forget it.

Casual hello; how are you doing?

Sasa unaniambia (Now you're telling me)

Okay or fine in Kenyan <a href="/word/slang" class="internal-link" title="View definition of Slang">slang</a>

Ni sawa (It's okay)

Slangy “okay sure,” often in agreeing reluctantly or casually.

Mpango wa kazi (Scheme of work)

Shida za ada ya shule (School fees stress)

Pili chini (Second lower)

Pili juu (Second class upper)

Kuazimwa (Secondment)

Semina (Seminar)

Serikali ya muungano (Coalition government)

Kwa dhati (Seriously)

Slang for 'upcountry home' or rural village. Derived from Swahili ushago (countryside). Going 'ushago' means traveling t...

Mchezo wa kutikisa mkono (Hand shaking game)

Shamba la mboga (Vegetable farm)

Shati (Shirt)

Not a slang word per se, but the name of Nairobi urban slang itself. However, people even use 'Sheng' to greet ('Sheng!'...

Swahili word for 'celebration/party,' used in slang to mean any turn-up or fun event (also rave in Sheng for party).

Karamu ya kuhitimu (Graduation party)

Karamu ya nyumbani (Home celebration)

Sauti ya kunyamazisha (Sound to silence)

Swahili for 'problem,' used in slang to emphasize difficulty. Shida haina is like 'no problem.'

Mcheshi, mtu wa kuchekesha (Comedian, funny person)

Lugha ya Kizungu kwa Kiluhya (English language in Luhya)

Mkusanyiko wa viatu (Shoe collection)

Literally 'shoe like a sandal,' a playful phrase meaning something is obvious or a sure deal. If someone says 'imeweza, ...

Twende wewe (Get lost)

From 'shawty,' means girl (often a girlfriend). Sometimes pronounced showry.

Kuchaguliwa (Shortlisted)

Vinywaji vikali mfululizo (Consecutive strong drinks)