Browse African Slang

Chuo cha Dodoma (University of Dodoma)

Chuo Kikuu cha Dar (University of Dar es Salaam)

Uaminifu/kuaminiwa (Faithfulness/being trusted)

Ubao/mahali pa kukatia (Cutting board)

Ubuyu/tunda la mbuyu (Baobab fruit)

Uchafu/kutokusafisha (Dirtiness/not cleaning)

Uchawi/ushirikina (Witchcraft/sorcery)

Uchongaji/sanaa ya kuchonga (Carving/carving art)

Uchoraji/sanaa ya kuchora (Carving/carving art)

Uchunguzi/utafiti (Investigation/research)

Ufugaji/kulisha wanyama (Animal keeping)

Ufundi/ujuzi wa mikono (Craftsmanship/hand skills)

Ufundi wa chuma (Metal craftsmanship)

Ufundi wa mbao (Wood craftsmanship)

Staple food; cornmeal

Ugali mzuri (Good ugali)

Ugali wenye unga mzuri (Quality ugali)

Ugali wa mahindi (Maize ugali)

Ugali wa nafaka (Millet ugali)

Ugonjwa/hali mbaya ya mwili (Sickness/bad body condition)

Uhifadhi/kutunza (Preservation/keeping)

Uhuru/kuwa huru (Freedom/being free)

Ujenzi/kujenga (Construction/building)

Ujira/malipo ya siku (Wage/daily payment)

Ujumbe/habari (Message/news)

Ujuzi/uwezo (Skills/ability)

Ustadi wa kufanya kazi kwa mikono (Expertise in doing manual work)

Slang for being broke (derived from ukata, lack of money). Conveys having empty pockets.

Ukarabati/kurekebisha (Repair/fixing)

Ukaratasi/kazi ya karatasi (Paper work)

Ukingoni/mpakani (At the border)

Ukoo/familia kubwa (Clan/big family)

Ukuaji/kuongezeka (Growth/increasing)

Ukumbi/nafasi kubwa (Hall/big space)

Ukungu/wingu jeupe (Fog/white cloud)

Ukuta/kizuizi (Wall/barrier)

Ukweli/maneno ya kweli (Truth/true words)

Local urban term for home-brew or bootleg alcohol. Often used for potent traditional brews.

Ulezi/nafaka (Millet type/grain)

Uma/chombo cha kuchoma (Fork/stabbing tool)

Umande/baridi ya usiku (Dew/night cold)

Mchezo wa kubana (Drawing game)

Umeme/kitu chenye nguvu (Electricity/something powerful)

Umoja/kuungana (Unity/togetherness)

Umwagiliaji/kutoa maji (Irrigation/water giving)

“You have many (words)” meaning you talk too much or give many excuses.

“You irritate me,” used playfully at times when someone is being extra.

“Are you putting (me on)?” used like “are you kidding me?”.

Kumuondoa mtu kwenye kizuizi (Remove person from block)

Kuacha kufuata (To stop following)