Browse Malawi Slang

Guys; gents (casual plural for men) (Origin: Chichewa)

A common 'Hey you!' or 'Yo!' used to get someone's attention (comes from English 'I say!'). It's a friendly callout amon...

“Hey you!” – used to get a stranger’s attention (like “yo!”) (Origin: Chichewa (from English “I say!”))

“Daddy’s kids” – spoiled rich kids (Origin: Chichewa-English slang)

Little by little; gradually" (Chichewa)

A derogatory term for a homosexual man (slur) (Origin: Chichewa slang)

City boys; streetwise youths (literally “boys of the town”) (Origin: Chichewa slang)

Exclamation of disbelief or “Yeah (right!”)

Dude, guy (casual address to a male (Origin: like “bro”))

Fed up; tired" (Chichewa)

Alternative spelling of 'Aise' - A common 'Hey you!' or 'Yo!' used to get someone's attention.

Ladies, women folk (plural (Origin: respectful))

Foreigner – especially a white or light-skinned person (Origin: Chichewa (from Swahili “mzungu”))

A handy Chichewa word meaning 'enough' or 'that's it/just that.' It's used to conclude something, or to say 'only that'....

Friend; pal (casual address)" (Chichewa slang)

A super informal 'hello' or greeting among kids and teenagers, often with thumbs up. When one says 'Boh?', the response ...

“Good” or “okay” – an informal greeting among youth (Origin: Chichewa slang)

To flex or show off luxuries" (Chichewa slang)

Marijuana (cannabis)" (Chichewa)

Man living with his in-laws (teased as 'wife’s man') (Origin: Chichewa cultural <a href="/word/slang" class="internal-li...

Money; wealth (literally 'bag')" (Chichewa slang)

Ukhale pansi / Umasuke (Relax / calm down)

Mask or something/someone fake (not genuine)" (Chichewa slang)

A huge lie; tall tale" (Chichewa slang)

Kwambiri kwambiri / Koposa (Very very / exceed)

A yes-man or follower (literally 'coat boy')" (Chichewa slang)

Completely exhausted; worn out (Origin: Chichewa slang)

Hard times; a cold (difficult) season" (Chichewa (lit. 'cold season'))

Moni bwanji / Kumalo (Hello how / greeting)

Dust (symbolizes the countryside or lack of polish)" (Chichewa slang)

A hustler or go-getter; someone determined to succeed (Origin: Chichewa (from English “hustler”))

Means 'you' (informal), but commonly used like 'hey man' or 'dude' to call someone casually. Friends say 'iwe' to each o...

“You (Origin: go away!” (can be joking or to shoo animals))

Traffic police with a speed radar (speed trap officer) (Origin: Chichewa slang)

Corruption; embezzlement" (Chichewa)

Koma kwambiri / Kwambiri zedi (Very much / extremely)

Kuyesa / Kuyesera mwayi (To try / take a chance)

To swipe or take slyly without permission" (Chichewa slang)

Kuba / Kupanga zachinyengo (To steal / cheat)

Kucheza / Kuyenda ukuwerenga (To play around / waste time)

Kulankhula / Kuyankhula (To speak / talk)

Kunyoza / Kuchita manyazi (To embarrass / humiliate)

Kukhala osauka / Kusowa zinthu (To be poor / lack things)

Kukhala wotanganidwa / Kugwira ntchito (To be busy / work)

Kupeza ndalama / Kupanga ndalama (To make money / earn cash)

Kuchita mwachangu / Kufulumira (To do quickly / hurry)

Kuchita nsanje / Kusilira (To be jealous / envious)

Kunamizira / Kubisala (To pretend / act fake)

Kukonza zochitika / Kukonzekera (To arrange activities / prepare)

Kupempha nawo / Kukopa (To beg / ask persistently)