Browse African Slang

Literally "quick meat" (barbecue spots), but also implies spending on enjoyment. Going to a shisa nyama (township barbec...

شتاء - Winter

Shetani/kiumbe mbaya (Devil/evil being)

A little bit.

Sauti ya kunyamazisha (Sound to silence)

How much/many

Filler word meaning “like…” or just a pause (similar to “ya’ni” in Arabic).

شي حال (Any news / what's up)

شيعة (Rumor / gossip)

Leave it/Forget it (Leave it)

Alum

Literally “measure,” slang meaning “check yourself” or calm down. Usage: Shiber, konjo – don’t yell at me like that for ...

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

ሽዳ ሄር - ቅዲ ጸጉሪ ሽዳ (Shida hair - Traditional hairstyle)

Tatizo gani? (What's the problem?)

شيلد - درع (protection)

شيفت - Shift

Wormwood

An exclamation similar to “Wow” or “Damn,” expressing surprise or shock.

Check

Money

Respectful greeting to elders

What Kwangali (Question)

Means 'that's it' or 'it's done.' Used to finalize a matter or say 'end of story'

Langue comorienne (Comorian language)

ሽኮር - ጽቡቕ፣ ብሉጽ (Sugar - Good, excellent)

Somali currency still used informally

ሽማግሌ/አዛውንት (Old person/elder)

ሽሙጣ/አሳፋሪ (Disgraceful)

Literally 'what's the weather?', but in Libya it means 'How's it going?' or 'What's up?'. It's a common casual greeting ...

Manjelatra / Shine bright

Miposaha hatrany / Shine on

A warning to be alert and not get duped financially. Telling someone to shine your eye means telling them to be savvy, e...

A Shona word meaning “be brave” or “be strong.” Often used as encouragement.

What (Sudanese Arabic)

Shino yaani? (What is it/what's up?)

ሽንት ቤት/ሽንት ቤት (Shint bet) - toilet

Apoiar um casal (Support a couple)

Ship (Relationship)

Supporter couple (Ship)

شيپ نيم - Ship name

Atamanna lahum hub (Wish them love)

Ship them (Support relationship)

شيب وورز - حروب الأزواج (relationship wars)

Torcer por um casal (To ship a couple)

Derived from 'relationship,' it means rooting for two people (often celebrities or characters) to get together romantica...

Mcheshi, mtu wa kuchekesha (Comedian, funny person)

Shirika/kampuni (Organization/company)

Open a company

ሽሮ/ሽሮ (Chickpea stew)