Browse African Slang

Lots of banknotes (cash money, like stacks of sheets of paper).

Means a low blow or something shady (from “shifta” – bandit). Usage: Asking about her ex in front of her fiancé was shef...

Literally 'bastard,' but youth use shege playfully to mean a mischievous person or as an expletive like 'damn!'

Useless suffering/Nonsense stress (Pointless suffering)

شيخ - Sheikh/Religious leader

Village sheikh

شيك (Check / cheque)

ሸቃጣይ/ሸቃጣይ (Shekatay) - seller

Means “shady” or involved in shady stuff (from Arabic *shakl*, shape).

Means style or appearance. Youth comment “shekla new!” when someone looks good (like “nice fit!”). Usage: That jacket? S...

Wedding shawl

Generational shawl

شلة (Friend group / squad)

Expression of pity/affection.

Expression of pity/affection.

Shem (Shame/Sorry)

ሸማ/ሸማ (Shema) - traditional cotton cloth

ሸማቾች/ሸማቾች (Shemachoch) - buyers

ሽማግሌ/ሽማግሌ (Shemagile) - elder

ሸማኔ/የምትፈልገው ሰው (The one you desire)

شمال - Left

Referencing strict vibe / moral stance.

Shemeji (Brother-in-law - from Swahili)

Old Addis neighborhood name used to describe something old-school or outdated in style. Usage: That dance move is straig...

شمس (Sun)

شمس حارقة (Scorching sun)

شمس حارقة - شمس حارقة (burning sun)

The word for Nairobi street slang itself (mix of Swahili and English); also used as a greeting (“Sheng’?” meaning “All g...

To snub or ignore someone deliberately. If you invite someone and they don't show, they shenked you

شراء - Purchase/Buying

شراكة (Partnership)

Sherehe/furaha (Celebration/joy)

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

Célébration/Fête (Celebration/Party)

Karamu ya kuhitimu (Graduation party)

Birthday celebration

Annual celebration

Karamu ya nyumbani (Home celebration)

Clan celebration

Female initiation

Faith celebrations

Village celebrations

House ceremonies

Cultural celebrations

Generational celebrations

Coastal celebrations

Clan celebrations

Loi (Law)

Village laws

Island laws