Browse African Slang

Hope. Often used in everyday talk and part of many local proverbs and songs, reflecting optimism

“How are you doing?” (casual greeting, similar to *ça va*).

Are you enjoying life? (casual greeting) (Origin: Wolof/Senegalese)

“Meaning/that is to say.” Common filler word for emphasis or clarification, equivalent to “like” or “I mean.”

Ma'naha shino? (What does it mean?)

I mean how? (Arabic-French)

I mean you see (Arabic-French)

Yaar-soaba (Lover owner - main partner)

Yaars (Outsiders - from Yarsé)

الأم (The mother)

An exclamation meaning “oh wow” or expressing disbelief (literally “mother, father”).

Mãe em Fula (Mother in Fula)

To mock or tease someone. A yab is a taunt. Nigerians yab each other for fun or insult

A common Zambian exclamation expressing shock, frustration or surprise – “Oh no!”/“Wow!” all in one.

Youth slang for “girl” or “chick” (origin from “baby” pronounced in a local way).

My friend; buddy

يابن الإيه - تعبير غضب (Son of what - anger expression)

Danse moderne (Modern dance)

ያቺ/ያቺ (That girl/her)

Club nautique (Yacht club)

Expression de compassion (Expression of compassion)

يعقوب المنصور - حي كبير (large district)

Autre nom des Dan (Another name for Dan people)

يادوبك - Barely

Il n'y a rien du tout (There's absolutely nothing)

Means 'yes.' Locals often say yah instead of 'sim' in casual conversation. It's an affirmative grunt that's uniquely San...

A colloquial filler phrase in Zimbabwean English combining yes and no, used to preface a statement or express resigned a...

He speaks

Yahoo (Internet fraud)

A term for an internet scammer, especially one involved in online fraud or "Yahoo-Yahoo" schemes. These individuals ofte...

An upgraded form of Yahoo-boy scamming that involves dark practices or voodoo rituals to boost fraud success. It implies...

Dieu (God)

Right?/isn't it?

“Light up” or turn on (also a nickname for the electricity token system).

Ville du Sud-Est (Southeast city)

Désolé/sympathie (Sorry/sympathy)

Désolé (Sorry)

Affaire de condoléances (Condolence matter)

Langue Yakoma (Yakoma language)

Slang for a cheater or embezzler, popularized by a Afrobeats song, referencing someone who "clears accounts." In jokes, ...

Yalemde saan n koose (Respect's payment sells - courtesy pays)

Chaleur (Heat)

Let's go/come on

Arabic for 'let's go' or 'come on.' Widely used in South Sudan's Arabic pidgin

يلا (Let's go/Come on)

Come on; let's go

Let's go/come on

يلا بينا - هيا بنا (Let's go together)

يلا باي (Let's go, bye)

هيا بنا (Let's go)