Browse African Slang

Environmental laws

شركة - Company

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 ...

The term Shibobo is used in African vernacular speech.

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)

Nako ea mosebetsi / Phetolo (Work time / Change)

Danse de célébration (Celebration dance)

Wormwood

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

Check

Money

Respectful greeting from younger to older, meaning “I hold your feet.” The response is **Marahaba** (I am delighted).

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)

Dialecte de Mayotte (Mayotte dialect)

ሽሙጣ/አሳፋሪ (Disgraceful)

Dialecte de Mohéli (Mohéli dialect)

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

Dialecte d'Anjouan (Anjouan dialect)

Let me shine (Let me succeed)

شاين برايت - أشرق بقوة (shine bright)

Illuminate well

Miposaha hatrany / Shine on

Be alert/Be careful (Stay vigilant)

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

Dialecte de Grande Comore (Grande Comore dialect)

What (Sudanese Arabic)

ሽንት ቤት/ሽንት ቤት (Shint bet) - toilet

Supporter couple (Ship)

Apoiar um casal (Support a couple)

Ship (Relationship)

Supporter couple (Ship)