Browse Sierra Leone Slang

Please (literally 'I beg'). Used to make polite requests or to soften statements. Can also express apology

'I'm going' or 'Goodbye.' Used when parting ways

An exclamatory filler in Krio, similar to 'I'm telling you' or 'you know.' Often repeated for emphasis

Literally 'better pass.' Used in comparisons to mean 'better than…'

A playful insult in Krio (directly from English) meaning 'utter fool.' Often said in jest among friends

(Krio) Literally 'very sweet.' Describes someone who is extremely attractive or charming. If a girl is bɔ sweet, she's r...

Plenty; a lot. From the French beaucoup, it means many or much

Plenty; a lot. From the French beaucoup, it means many or much.

To eat. As a verb, chap (from English chop) means to eat food.

Done/Finished. Used to indicate completion

To fall hard or mess up. Krio onomatopoeic slang for a heavy fall or a blunder

Casual greeting meaning 'How are you?' (literally 'How's the body?')

Hello. A warm Krio greeting equivalent to 'hi' or 'welcome'. When you arrive, people might say 'Kushɛ!' to greet you

Literally 'that's the thing.' A colloquial way of saying 'exactly!' or 'that's it'

An interjection meaning 'Alright/Ok, let's go/come on.' If friends are waiting to leave, one might clap and say 'Oyah, l...

Friend. In Krio, padi means friend or buddy

Trouble, fuss, or complicated situation. Also used to mean an argument or prolonged discussion.

Thief. A compound of 'thief' + 'man.' Often pronounced tifman, it refers to a thief or robber

Girl (young woman). A common Krio term for a girl

Talk. To tok means to speak or chat (similar to other English-based creoles)

Who? (From English 'who that'). Used in slangy questions

To be angry. Common West African usage.