Browse African Slang

Literally “youth/guys.” Used to address a group of friends (like “dudes”).

شابة - Young woman

Shabiki/mpenda timu (Fan/team lover)

شبكة - Engagement jewelry set

Disrespect/Insult subtly (Throw shade)

Literally “severe/intense,” Sudanese youth use as slang intensifier for “very” or “extremely.”

Shades (Sunglasses)

Very dark-skinned person (can be used in a teasing way among friends, but could be offensive).

Hidden restriction/Less visibility (Secret ban)

شادو باند - حظر الظل (shadow banned)

شادو ورك (Shadow work)

شادو بان - Shadowban

تشجيع - Cheering

Work; job

شغالة - Working (f)

شغال - Working (m)

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

An exclamation similar to “eish,” expressing exasperation or surprise.

Shahada/hati ya masomo (Certificate/study document)

College certificate

College degree

شهر عسل - Honeymoon (Arabic)

Tea (essential in Sudanese culture)

ሻይ ቤት/ሻይ ቤት (Tea house)

شك - Doubt/Suspicion

Shakara (Pride/showing off)

Mchezo wa kutikisa mkono (Hand shaking game)

Nickname for cheap local sorghum beer sold in cartons, also called chibuku

Shake body (Dance)

Shake body (Dance)

Shake hands (Make peace)

Shake shake (Keep shaking)

Danser/bouger (Dance/move)

ሻክላ ድስት/ሻክላ ድስት (Shakla dist) - clay pot

Shaku shaku (Nigerian dance)

Means a nosy person (male/female) who pries into others’ business. (Origin: Sudanese Arabic)

Shamba/eneo la kilimo (Farm/agricultural area)

Shamba kwa Kimijikenda (Farm in Mijikenda)

Vegetable garden

Shamba la mboga (Vegetable farm)

My farm

Popular Namibian music genre (Namibian house music)

Vergüenza, pena (Shame, embarrassment)

Vergüenza, pena (Shame, embarrassment)

Shame (Shame)

An expression of sympathy, endearment, or cuteness. If something is adorable or someone is pitying someone, they'll say ...

Embarrassed/Ashamed (Feel shame)

ሻመጣ/ሻመጣ (Barley drink)

Shampoo

ሻምፖ/ሻምፖ (Shampo) - shampoo