African Slang Words Starting With "Z"

Generation Z

Pronounced “za’ma,” used like “like…” or “supposedly,” often to add irony or doubt. Usage: He said he’ll study all night...

يعني/كأنو/بزعم' لِلتشكيك أو التوضيح. (EN: Like/as if/supposedly.)

Power company

ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police)

Describes a light-skinned person (lit. “of yellow”).

Za'anif (Fins)

Ghadban (Angry/upset)

Za'lan (Upset)

زعل (Upset / angry)

Upset/annoyed

زعلان - حزين/غاضب (Upset - sad/angry)

زعلان نار (Very angry)

Za3ma (Like/As if)

Literally “slip,” slang for “to dodge” or avoid someone.

زحمة - يُفترض/كأنه (Supposedly - as if)

Zaab (To fight - Mooré)

Zahida (Ascetic female)

Zaaka (Traditional market)

Like; supposedly

Genre, comme si (Like, as if)

Zaama (As if/supposedly - Arabic)

As if you are

Zaame (Yesterday - Mooré)

Thyme

Zab n pa zoore (Fighting doesn't solve problems)

Zab-n-basgo (Fight leaving - making peace)

زبادي - Yogurt

Zaban (Saba senegalensis)

Mutanen Zarma (Zarma people)

Officer

An expression meaning “Awesome, dude!” to show strong approval. (Origin: Sudanese Arabic)

Zabre (Yesterday)

Zabre-tẽnga (Battle ground - conflict zone)

San valer (Worthless)

Attractive older man (Hot daddy)

Indvodza le-attractive (Attractive older man)

Mawkib al arus (Wedding procession)

زفة (Wedding procession)

Zafimaniry / Wood carving

Pêxi seku (Peixe seco) (Dried fish)

Zaghayi (Zaghawa tribe member)

Zaghaarit (Ululations)

Pouvoir Zaghawa (Zaghawa power)

زاڭورة غايتس - أبواب زاڭورة (Zagora gates)

Zahanati/duka la dawa (Pharmacy/medicine shop)

Health dispensary

Pharmacy

Zahid (Ascetic)

Zahir (Manifest)