Browse African Slang

Shughuli/kazi (Activity/work)

Shughuli za kazi (Work activities)

Mtu jasiri (Brave person)

Shule/mahali pa masomo (School/place of studies)

Shule za jamii (Community schools)

Shuleni/chuoni (At school)

Slang for “all good” or “okay.” Often used in greetings like “Mambo?” – “Shwari” (“How are things?” – “Peaceful”).

Si ukweli (Not true)

Nzuri sana (Very good)

Listen; hear

Sikukuu/siku ya sherehe (Holiday/celebration day)

Siku ya taifa (National day)

Stop; stand

Simba/mtu mkali (Lion/fierce person)

Timu ya mpira (Football team)

Slang for being sharp or stylish (like “umepigwa sindano ya ushamba” means you’ve been injected with style – sarcastical...

Sinemaa/filamu (Cinema/movie)

Muziki wa mdundo wa haraka (Fast-paced music)

Wimbo mmoja (One song)

A joking twist on serikali (“government”) spelled with siri (secret), used to mockingly refer to shady or unofficial “go...

Dada/ndugu wa kike (Sis/sister)

Nguo fupi ya wanawake (Women's short clothing)

Kuingia DM (Enter DM)

Viatu vya nyumbani (House shoes)

Mwerevu/mahiri (Smart/skilled)

Programu ya picha za muda (Temporary photo app)

Kichungi cha Snapchat (Snapchat filter)

Viatu vya michezo (Sports shoes)

Social/ya kijamii (Social/community)

Kizazi cha mitandao (Social networks generation)

Soft drink

Kinywaji baridi (Cold drink)

Mpira wa eneo (Neighborhood football)

Soko kubwa la Dar (Big Dar market)

Sokwe/mnyama mkubwa (Chimpanzee/big animal)

Imara/thabiti (Solid/stable)

Endelea (Continue)

Sauti/mlio (Sound/voice)

Mfumo wa sauti (Sound system)

Spa/mahali pa burudani (Spa/relaxation place)

Kipaza sauti (Sound amplifier)

Specialist/mtaalamu (Specialist/expert)

Spinachi/mboga za majani (Spinach/leafy vegetable)

Roho/hali (Spirit/mood)

Kikundi/timu (Squad/team)

Jukwaa/mahali pa kuonyesha (Stage/performance place)

Maonyesho ya jukwaa (Stage performance)

Kiwango/ubora (Standard/quality)

Nyota/mtu maarufu (Star/famous person)

Hali/mazingira (Status/condition)