Browse African Slang

You've been spotted

It's lit/awesome (English-Somali)

It's reasonable

What is that?

That's right

It's like this

How about/what about

It's something else/different

It's top/great (mixed)

That's crazy/amazing (Somali youth)

How amazing

Amazement drawn-out.

Local saint festival

To leave a place. Originated from the Afrikaans language, translates to 'go'.

Rice and beans dish (Traditional rice and beans)

Waakye leaves - Also means making money (green like leaves)

Rice and beans vendor (Traditional food seller)

Waakye summit - Gathering where waakye is served

I'm fine (Somali)

I pray for you

I greet you (Somali) - formal greeting

I'm keeping up

I'm shocked/startled

I agree

ዋቃዮ/አምላክ (God - Oromo)

Joona, sisan yɛrɛ (No time, right now)

Waatoo ñaata? (What time?)

Yes (Wolof word commonly used) (Origin: Wolof/Senegalese)

Dude or mate, used to address a friend (Origin: Wolof/Senegalese)

Clueless; naïve (literally 'born today')" (Chichewa)

Police (literally “those who carry” – referring to police trucks).

Wabona umugabo umurusha agamije kumurenganya (You see a man you exceed intending to surpass him - competition drives imp...

Wabonye akabura abiri (One who has seen wants two - experience creates desire)

Wabunge (Members of Parliament)

Wabunge wanaoenda upande wa pesa (MPs who switch sides for money)

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

واش باغي؟ - ماذا تريد؟ (what do you want?)

What's wrong with you

What are you doing

What's this

What brought you

What's up/what's there

What kind of

What are you saying

Arrête de jouer (Stop playing)

Market vendors

Waciye bugufi yazimya umuriro (One who passed briefly extinguished the fire - small actions have impact)

Wack (Bad/lame - English slang)

Wack (Bad/lame - English slang)

Bad, lame