Browse African Slang

Umusaruro (Production/output)

Umusaza avuga ati nkiri muto (An old man says I'm still young - age is relative)

Umushahara (Salary)

Umushahara mukuru (High salary)

Umushahara muto (Low salary)

Umushikiranganji (Representative)

Umushinga (Project/plan)

Umushyitsi adahabwa umukono arabona uwo kurya (A guest not given a hand sees who to eat from - rejection teaches discrim...

Umusore (Young man)

Umusore w'umukobwa (Girl's boyfriend)

Umusoro (Tax)

Umusvyi atita ku munwa ahubura ku maso (A gossiper doesn't care about the mouth but stumbles on the eyes - gossip backfi...

Umutekamutungo (Wealthy person)

Umutekano w'urugo (Family security)

Umuti (Medicine)

Umuti w'abantu (Medicine of people - helpful person)

Umutima utera ubwoba ukiza no kurira (A frightening heart also heals by crying - emotions need release)

Umutobe (Juice)

Umutoza (Coach)

Imitsi yesiNtu (Traditional medicine)

Umutsima (Corn/cassava porridge)

Umutsima w'uburo (Millet porridge)

A term from Yoruba that refers to a cultural concept, object, or action. It is commonly used in everyday speech within c...

Umutungo (Assets/wealth)

Umutwaro uhenze uraremba intugu (A heavy load bends the shoulders - burdens show)

Umuvandimwe (Sibling)

Umuvandimwe ni umuhoro mu rugendo (A sibling is a machete on the journey - family helps in difficulties)

A term from African languages referring to cultural concepts or everyday objects.

Umuvugo (Saying/speech)

Umuvunyi (Lawyer)

A term from African languages referring to cultural concepts or everyday objects.

Umuyaga ukunda (The wind is blowing)

Umuyaga udashoboye gukurura ibiti uratera ivumbi (Wind that can't uproot trees raises dust - weak efforts show)

Umuyobozi (Leader/director)

Umuziki (Music)

Umuzungu yarenze inkono mu rugo (A white person passed pots at home - opportunity was missed locally)

Reward / payoff.

Umwagiliaji/kutoa maji (Irrigation/water giving)

Water irrigation

Umwaka mushya (New year)

Umwaka w'imboro (Year of abundance)

Umwaka w'imigisha (Year of blessings)

Umwaka w'isabukuru (Anniversary year)

Umwami (King)

Umwami w'ubukwe (Groom)

Umwamikazi (Bride)

Umwana arakura ubwe nyina akaza kuguma ari we (A child grows but the mother remains the same - parental love is constant...

Literally 'cooked child.' Slang for a pregnant teenage girl or a girl matured too quickly. Often used in cautionary or g...

Umwana w'impfuvyi (Orphan)

Umwana w'umuhungu (Son's child - grandson)