Browse African Slang

Throwback Thursday

Mwenyeji wa TV (TV host)

Kipindi kipya cha TV (New TV show)

Muziki wa kitamaduni (Traditional music)

Kuweka pesa pamoja (Group savings)

Rich person

Jambo kwa Kipokot (Hello in Pokot)

App ya mkopo (Loan app)

Ten shillings

Walengwa (Target audience)

Mapumziko ya chai (Tea break)

The jocular name for the 'Hyena Squad,' meaning all the lustful guys collectively. Became a social media joke referring ...

Kijana mdogo (Teenager)

Kutetemeka / densi (To shake / dance)

One thousand shillings

Mandhari (Theme)

Vipindi vya matibabu ya akili (Therapy sessions)

Nyumba ya wavulana (Boys' house)

Kununua mitumba (Buying second-hand)

Majambazi (Thugs)

Nchi kwa Kikuyu (Land in Kikuyu)

A hype exclamation popularized in politics meaning a loud explosive sound (used like “boom!” to energize a crowd).

Viatu vikubwa (Big shoes)

Matumizi ya wakati (Time management)

Ratiba (Timetable)

Colloquial for 'things', popularized by dancehall/Caribbean influence. Often used humorously: 'Do the tings!' meaning ge...

“Get out of here” (dismissive).

Mungu kwa Kipokot (God in Pokot)

Enough or sufficient. Used to say something is adequate or to stop.

Kipimo cha pombe (Shot of alcohol)

Maeneo ya watalii (Tourist spots)

Fuatilia oda (Track order)

Kosa la trafiki (Traffic offense)

Kupunguza nywele kidogo (Hair trim)

Suruali (Trousers)

Used to ask for confirmation if someone is being honest.

Kelele ya kutojali (Sound of dismissal)

Kelele ya kutoa hasira (Sound of annoyance)

Masomo ya ziada (Extra classes)

Literally “we are inside,” meaning we’re in (on a plan) or present.

Fun emphatic way to say “We are very ‘inside’ (on board)!” popularized by Kenyan YouTubers, meaning count us in heavily.

In East Africa, 'tuma' means 'send', and in slang it specifically implies sending money. Ugandans say 'tuma airtime' or ...

Tuko pamoja (We are together)

Kikosi cha sherehe (Party squad)

Bia ya Tusker (Tusker beer)

Tamasha la bia (Beer festival)

Tutafika tu (We'll just arrive)

Tutakutana tena (We'll meet again)

Vita za Twitter (Twitter beef/fights)

Mtu wa Twitter (Twitter person)