African Slang Words Starting With "U"

To work but also means to have sex (slang)

To escape or run away

To do things randomly or carelessly

To talk too much

To be confused or mixed up

Kuhlambuluka ngemitsi (Cleansing with medicine)

Indlela yenhlonipho (Way of respect)

To spoil/damage

To catch or arrest

To be stubborn

Ukukhothama (Respect dance)

To follow someone persistently, especially romantically

To vomit, especially from drinking

Petite guitare (Small guitar)

Ukumbi/nafasi kubwa (Hall/big space)

Ukungu/wingu jeupe (Fog/white cloud)

To make a plan/scheme

To make plans (often mischievous)

To touch inappropriately

To lie or make up stories

To drive

Kukhuluma nelabangasekho (Speaking to ancestors)

Zulu for 'hustling' or 'foraging for opportunities'. Phanda is often used to mean making ends meet through any hustle. E...

Om voor te wees (To be forward)

To receive

To walk long distances

To be silly or foolish

Ukuri (Truth)

Ukuri gutsinda (Truth prevails)

Ukuri kwihuse kunywera hejuru (Hidden truth drinks from above - truth eventually surfaces)

To work hard or struggle for something

Bemba ceremony

Ukusina (Traditional dance)

To point at or identify someone

Ukuta/kizuizi (Wall/barrier)

(Xhosa/Zulu, 'to carry away') A traditional term referring to an old practice of bride abduction or elopement. In modern...

Kuba sangoma (Becoming sangoma)

To be afraid

Being dumb or acting stupidly

To wear/dress

Ukuvuga utarebera ni ukuvuga mu ijuru (Speaking without looking is speaking to the sky - communication needs attention)

To undress

To be good/nice

Ukwezi kwa cumi (October)

Marriage/wedding

Ukweli/maneno ya kweli (Truth/true words)

Ukwemera (Faith/belief)

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

Très blessé (Deeply hurt)

Honra e respeito (Honor and respect)