Browse African Slang

Taama ko, voyage affaire (Travel matter, travel issue)

Fɛn min ka kan ka kɔlɔsi, kabako (Something to observe, amazing thing)

Tombouctou dɔnkili, sahara miziki (Timbuktu music, Sahara music)

Ntomi ji, ji kumalen (Tamarind juice, sour juice)

The latest news or updates (what’s going on).

A motorcycle.

Means “friend” or “bro” (affectionate term among guys, like “pal”).

Fini minnu bɛ yeelen, brillant (Clothes that shine, shiny)

Tiga na, shɔ ni tiga (Peanut sauce, meat and peanuts)

Mɔgɔ min bɛ i tanga, min t'i dɛmɛ (Someone who's stingy, who doesn't help)

Sɛnɛfɛn tigɛ, récolte (Crop cutting, harvest)

Tile ka fanga, soleil fort (Sun is strong, sunny)

Tile gansan, funteni waati (Hot season, very hot time)

Tombouctou, Mali dugu kɔrɔ (Timbuktu, ancient Mali city)

Dumuni labɛn, cuisiner (Food preparation, to cook)

Kamalennin ka sigida, yɔrɔ min na u bɛ ɲɔgɔn sɔrɔ (Youth hangout spot, where young people meet)

Bolo yeelen, main lumière (Hand light, flashlight)

West African slang (used in Mali as tubabu) for a white person or foreigner. It's not derogatory per se; originally from...

Kaba tobi ni sukaro (Cooked corn with sugar)

Nisɔndiya kɛ cogo, jouer (Joy making way, to play)

Dumuni kɛ fɛn, huile (Food making thing, oil)

Tulu k'i la, huile mettre (Oil put on self, apply oil)

Waati o waati, abada (Always, forever)

Bolo, fɛn minɛ fɛn (Hand, thing to grab things)

Ka kɔ bila, passer (Leave behind, pass)

Sira min bɛ mɔgɔ to ka tɛmɛn, scorcit (Path that lets someone pass through, shortcut)