Mbaya
πΏπ¦
South Africa
Added July 17, 2025
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While it means 'bad' in standard Swahili, in slang it can mean 'cool/awesome' (similar to 'sick' in English).
"Hiyo ngoma ni mbaya sana! (That song is really awesome!)"
Literally βbad,β but slang βmbayaβ can mean βveryβ in a good way (e.g. *safi mbaya* = really cool).
Bad or intense (can mean very good depending).
"Hiyo gari ni mbaya mbaya."
Mauvais (Bad)
"Wajua kupiga simu? - Do you know how to make a call?"
Mauvais (Bad) - Swahili
"Hali mbaya (Bad situation)"
Mbovu (Bad)
"Hali ni mbaya sana (The situation is very bad)"
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