Browse African Slang

Uwashaka inka ararema (One who wants a cow milks - desire drives action)

Uwatunze imbwa ntiyita umusega (A dog owner doesn't fear a hawk - protection gives confidence)

Uwazi/kuwa wazi (Transparency/being open)

Uwekaji/kuhifadhi (Investment/keeping)

Major investment

Good investment

Local investment

Uwele/nafaka (Millet/grain)

Uwezo/nguvu (Ability/power)

Small ability

Generation capability

Uwigize umukene aba ari umukire (One who acts poor is rich - humility conceals wealth)

Uwihangana abiri ntakura (One who tolerates two doesn't grow - compromise stunts growth)

Uwongo/uongo (Lies/falsehood)

Uwubaha mwana ahubwa n'uwukura (One who respects a child stumbles on an adult - balance respect)

Uwugaramye inkoni ahisha intoki (One leaning on a stick hides fingers - dependence conceals ability)

Uwuhishe ku mutima urara nabi (One who hides in the heart sleeps badly - secrets disturb peace)

(Kinyarwanda) Literally 'the person I love.' Used to refer to one's beloved when speaking to others. Similar to saying '...

Uwuteye imbuto niwe uyisarura (One who plants seeds harvests them - you reap what you sow)

Uwuteze imbere ategereza (One who advances waits - progress requires patience)

Uwuze ngo ngiye i Gitega ntiyicara hasi (One who says I'm going to Gitega doesn't sit down - determination shows)

(Zulu/Xhosa) Meaning 'sorry.' Often used in love contexts when apologizing to a partner after a quarrel. A heartfelt 'Ux...

You're too forward / impatient.

Accusing someone of using charms.

You're making noise / complaining loud.

A Zulu term often used across languages meaning "you're being forward" or "cheeky." It calls someone out for oversteppin...

IsiZulu Slang that Literally means “Mkhwanazi is coming”; a warning phrase used to alert people—especially those breakin...

Uyu munsi (Today)

Literally 'you will laugh at it (later).' Used to console a friend going through something embarrassing now

Uzalishaji/kutengeneza (Production/manufacturing)

Planned parenthood

Uzoefu/utaalamu (Experience/expertise)

Uzoefu wa maisha (Life experience)

Cri de joie (Cry of joy)

Joie collective (Collective joy)

dhaaf with directional/prepositional modifier (Somali) - compound verb form

Filosofia africana de união (African philosophy of unity)

Ato de ultrapassar (Overtaking)

Corte raspado embaixo (Shaved underneath cut)

Remover amizade (Remove friendship)

Extremidades dos dedos (Nails)

Roupa de trabalho (Work clothes)

Unidade do país (Country unity)

Melhorar habilidades (Improve skills)