Slangs have become an integral part of the African culture. It has formed a major means of informal and even formal communication both amongst the young and elderly for spoken and written conversations, whether in online and offline means of communicating.
Here are some fun African slangs that foreigners who might find themselves in some of these African destinations for business, pleasure or both, and also our African brothers and sisters in the diaspora would find interesting to learn and use in their daily communication:
SOUTH AFRICAN SLANGS
- Izit? Or Sho? Meaning Is that so?
Example:
A: “Dude, I’m currently watching the latest James Bond flick, it’s been pretty awesome so far.”
B: “Izit?”
- Shame!
This is an endearing term that is used by South Africans in just about every social situation. Seriously, when in doubt, just say “Ag shame” and your sentiment will be greatly appreciated.
Example:
A: “I just got a new phone.”
B: “Shame.”
A: “Her mother is seriously ill and has been admitted to a local hospital.”
B: “Shame.”
A: “My brother won a million bucks yesterday.”
B: “Shame!”
- Ag meaning Oh man
Ag — pronounced “Ach” — is a filler word. We South Africans love our filler words. If you ever feel like you have said shame too often — very unlikely — just throw in a filler to change it up a bit.
Example:
“Ag, I had a great time last night.”
- Loskop meaning Loosehead
This is just a humorous excuse, used to explain away forgetful or odd behaviour.
Example: “I am such a loskop today. I forgot my wallet at home.”
- Jol meaning A party
Any party, get-together or fun activity is a jol.
Example:
“Sounds like they are having a real jol next door.”
GHANAIAN SLANGS
- Chale meaning Friend or Pal
It is often used to communicate with people within your age bracket.
Example:
A: Chale what was the final score between Arsenal and Chelsea?
B: It ended Chelsea 2, Arsenal 1
- Boko meaning I’m cool
Example:
A: Chale how you doing?
B: Boko bro
- Jiggy Jiggy- A slang term for intercourse. I learnt this is usually a slang used for the wrong reasons and at awkward times of the night and should you ever be on the receiving end when the slang jiggy jiggy is used, you should literally run! LOL
- Gulla Gulla meaning butt
Example: It is a general consensus among many that African women are well endowed in the gulla gulla ‘department’
- “Acomba“- This is the slang term referring to a person who has a large appetite.
- Dang it- used to express excitement. Kind of like ’Yaay’ we are more familiar with.
RWANDAN SLANGS
- Bolo: This is used by Rwandans to refer to anything valuable, which is pretty relative I suppose. For example: Akon’s bolo has to be his voice.
- Agati means Weed or Marijuana.
Example: Terry G and D’banj must have been high on Agati with the way they have performed on stage over the years
- Kebo means a nice ride
KENYAN/SWAHILI SLANGS
- Niaje means ‘how are you doing’
- Poa means cool or I’m cool. So if one greets you with “niaje”, you could reply with “poa”
- Msupa means Beautiful Girl. If you ever find yourself in Kenya or with a beautiful Kenyan damsel like Lupita of 12 years a slave, you could compliment her with a phrase like “wewe ni msupa” and win her heart. Simple!
- Beshte means A friend For example: I would like to be your beshte
NIGERIAN SLANGS
- Caro meaning fine lady
Example: A: Peter what’s happening with you?
B: I’m with my caro at the movies
- Wetin dey happen means What’s happening
Example: A: Bro, wetin dey happen for Lagos
B: Nothing much bro, just the usual Lagos ‘hustle and bustle’ synonymous with Lagos.
- Chairman: This is used commonly to praise and greet a friend, usually within the same age bracket
Example: A: My Chairman how you doing?
B: I am alright man, what’s up!
- I dey: means I’m alright or I’m doing fine
Example: A: Chairman what’s up
B: I dey bros
- I remain loyal Meaning ‘I have not changed,’ ‘still your buddie’,or ‘still the same cool dude’. It’s usually used among buddies when talking over the phone.
Example:
A: Boy how u been, what’s changed with you
B: I remain loyal sir.
- Padi means Close Friend or Buddie
Example: I just left my padi ‘s house some minutes ago.
And that’s where I draw the curtains people. There are many more African cool and interesting slangs out there that I can’t exhaust all of them as I’m still learning myself especially the Non-Nigerian slangs. Hope you find some of these ones I’ve listed useful though when the situation arises. Cheers!
