Browse African Slang

De maman, maternel (From mother, maternal)

An informal way to address someone (influenced by English “man”). Similar to “dude.”

Means 'there is no problem' or 'no worries.' Youth often say it after plans: 'on va faire comme ça, ya matta'

Hey people!

Filler like “I mean” or “like.” Comes from “ya’ni.”. Usage: The party was, ya ni, okay – not the best but fine.

Ya pas (There isn't - pidgin)

Il n'y a pas de mensonge (There's no lie)

C'est incomparable (It's incomparable)

يا رب - Oh Lord

Ô mon Dieu

Ô mon Dieu

Oh Lord help me (Arabic-French)

Man; dude

Chief or skipper (also taxi driver).

Oh my God

يا ريت - I wish

Oh my friend

“My friend/buddy.” “Sahbi” is used to address a close friend, equivalent to “bro.”. Usage: Siro, ya sahbi, we’ll catch u...

Oh wow; expression of amazement

Oh peace (Arabic) - amazement

Oh my/wow

Oh sir listen (Arabic-French)

Nouveau, moderne (New, modern)

Vraiment, c'est vrai (Really, it's true)

Ya sõma (It's good - Mooré)

Ya tuudu (It's hot - Mooré)

Hey boy!

Boy; kid

My son (affectionate)

C'est à toi (It's yours)

Ya yɩɩl (It's cold - Mooré)

Lucky you (Annaba)

Oh man (Arabic) - casual address

يا زين (Oh beautiful)

Hey person; casual way to address someone

An expression loosely meaning 'Oh, you're in trouble now' or 'Poor you (you're about to get it)'. Said when someone's ab...

Despair

يأس - Despair

يا عم - يا رجل (Oh man)

Literally “may you live,” used to say “thank you” (similar to “bless you”).

يعني (I mean / like)

Bless you; thank you

Yaa (Is/to be - Mooré)

Yaa ka tõndo (Market has unity - commerce brings people together)

Who taught you? (Somali)

Who's with you? (Somali)

Who told you?

Yaa la fin (That's the end)

Yaa-raogo yiib kaam (Market gossip spreads fast)

Amazing/strange (Somali)