Borrowed from English “dame,” in East Africa it just means “girl” (often a girlfriend). For example: "“Yule dem wake ni mrembo sana” (“That girl of his is really pretty”)"

Where does the slang word Dem come from?

Dem is a slang term from Tanzania. It is part of the rich slang vocabulary used in Tanzania and across Africa.

Dem

Q: What are other meanings of Dem?

Dem can also mean: Borrowed from English dame, in East Africa it just means girl (often a girlfriend)

🇹🇿 Tanzania Slang

Added Aug 12, 2025 · 2 definitions

TOP DEFINITION

Dem definition 1

Borrowed from English “dame,” in East Africa it just means “girl” (often a girlfriend).

"“Yule dem wake ni mrembo sana” (“That girl of his is really pretty”)"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Aug 12, 2025

DEFINITION 2

Dem definition 2

Borrowed from English dame, in East Africa it just means girl (often a girlfriend)

"Yule dem wake ni mrembo sana (That girl of his is really pretty)"

by Khulekani Dladla Elder · Aug 12, 2025

Word Details

Country: 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Definitions: 2 community definitions
Added: August 2025

↻ Similar Words

Dem 🇰🇪 Kenya

A girl.

Dem 🇬🇲 Gambia

Dem naa Banjul (I went to Banjul)

"Fan nga dem? (Where are you going?)"

🇹🇿 About Tanzania Slang

Tanzanian slang is rooted in Swahili, the national language, with vibrant Bongo Flava music culture adding fresh terms to everyday speech in Dar es Salaam.

KASINARY has 1747 Tanzania slang words collected from native speakers.

Browse all Tanzania slang (1747 words)