Browse African Slang

Dança tradicional do norte (Traditional northern dance)

Tug of war (Rope pulling)

Slang for a Portuguese person (from Portu-gue, not derogatory, often friendly).

Let's go

Tugira icizere (We have faith)

From “together,” meaning “let’s do it/ all together.”

Masomo ya ziada (Extra classes)

Kaba tobi ni sukaro (Cooked corn with sugar)

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.

Beit taqliidi (Traditional hut)

Tukwi (Head scarf)

Tuli Block (Wildlife area)

Utulivu/subiri (Calm down/wait)

We love you (Affection)

Used to tell someone they’re sleeping on the job or opportunity.

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)

Avy Toliara / Vezo (From Toliara / Vezo)

Tum (Kiss)

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

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

Waati o waati, abada (Always, forever)

Arsil soora (Send picture)

Hali ya kutarajia (Hope state)

Tumalano (Agreement)

Tumbo/kifua (Stomach/belly)

Tumbo la ukubwa (Big stomach)

Tumboni/sehemu ya kati (In stomach/middle part)

Tumelo (Belief/Faith)

Tumelo ya Badimo (Ancestral belief)

Tumo ya maru (Thunder)

We play together

We’re silently enduring (literally “we’re eating ‘kumbe kumbe’” – a type of insect, implying hardship).

“We love each other,” often used ironically to quell conflict (from meme culture).

To tell someone off or to talk (can mean flirt or tease depending on context, similar to SA usage).

"Tune" in South African slang means to tell or to give (especially a scolding or attitude). "Tuning someone grief" means...

To talk nonsense or insult someone (“talk shit”).

TuneIn (TuneIn)

Told / said.

Tungurusumu (Garlic)

Car modification

Rice balls/Northern dish (Rice dumplings)

TZ selling point (Northern food spot)

Northern Ghana dish/TZ (Northern dish)

Tuo zaafi power - Northern food strength

Tuko sawa (We're good)

Tuko pamoja (We're together)

Tuko pamoja (We are together)