Shengwords

Sheng words by topic

Pick a topic to see its words, then take the quiz for it.

People

  • Greetings How to say hello, goodbye and 'how are you' the Nairobi way. (26 words, like Mambo, Poa, Niaje)
  • People Words for men, women and the kinds of people you meet in town. (23 words, like Msee, Wasee, Demu)
  • Family Mum, dad, brothers, sisters and the rest of the family. (19 words, like Mathe, Fathe, Mzae)
  • Friends Your best friend, your crew and the people you move with. (10 words, like Chali, Mbogi, Beste)
  • Love Partners, crushes, heartbreak and everything about dating. (15 words, like Mubaba, Sponsor, Clande)
  • Flirting Chatting someone up, pickup lines and how courting sounds in Sheng. (7 words, like Kukatia, Fisi, Kula fare)

Daily life

  • Feelings Happy, angry, bored, proud. How people say what they feel. (25 words, like Kuboeka, Kubamba, Kuringa)
  • Food Street food, home food and the words that get you fed. (25 words, like Chipo, Dishi, Ugali)
  • Drinks Tea, soda, beer and stronger things. (11 words, like Kanywaji, Mzinga, Pombe)
  • Home Your house, your room and the building you live in. (9 words, like Hao, Nyumbani, Plot)
  • Clothes and style Clothes, shoes and looking good. (8 words, like Luku, Moto, Freshi)
  • Body and looks The body and how people look. (10 words, like Kitambi, Bodi, Ameiva)
  • Health Being sick, getting well and the hospital. (2 words, like Hosi, Kudedi)
  • Things Everyday objects with new street names. (16 words, like Burungo, Debe, Kibenje)

Money and work

  • Money Cash, debts, being broke and getting rich. (22 words, like Chuma, Mbao, Kusota)
  • Numbers Counting and the names for coins and notes. (16 words, like Bob, Punch, Ngiri)
  • Work and hustle Jobs, bosses, pay and the daily hustle. (17 words, like Doo, Kazi, Hustler)
  • School Class, exams, teachers and campus life. (14 words, like Skuli, Campo, Comrade)

Around town

  • Places Town, the village, abroad and Nairobi's own place names. (23 words, like Kanairo, Tao, Ushago)
  • Transport Matatus, boda bodas, fares and getting around. (23 words, like Matatu, Boda, Nganya)
  • Time Today, tomorrow, now and long ago. (13 words, like Sai, Kitambo, Sato)
  • Phones and internet Airtime, data, M-Pesa and life online. (8 words, like Bundles, Credo, Kabambe)

Fun

  • Party Going out, having fun and the long night. (8 words, like Sherehe, Kuchil, Baze)
  • Music Songs, beats and Kenyan music styles. (4 words, like Ngoma, Muziki, Gengetone)
  • Sports Football, betting and match-day talk. (6 words, like Kubet, Mkeka, Mechi)

Authority

  • Government and politics Leaders, slogans, protests and nicknames from the news. (10 words, like Wantam, Gava, Kasongo)
  • Police and law Police, guards, bribes and jail. (10 words, like Kitu kidogo, Soja, Jela)
  • Trouble and crime Thieves, scams and the trouble to avoid. (11 words, like Kuoshwa, Wash wash, Ngeta)

Talk

  • Street life Everyday life in the hood: gossip, drama and street sense. (43 words, like Sheng, Mtaa, Piga Stori)
  • Praise Words for when something or someone is really good. (15 words, like Bomba, Kali, Mbaya)
  • Insults Words used to tease or put someone down. Use with care. (11 words)
  • Sayings Whole phrases and viral lines you can drop into a chat. (30 words, like Ni Form Gani, Tuko Pamoja, Nimeishiwa)
  • Actions Doing words: come, go, look, eat, sleep. (64 words, like Kucheki, Kukam, Kushow)
  • Small words Short words like yes, no, now and because that hold a sentence together. (22 words, like Kwa, Kwani, Aki)

Mature

  • Drugs and alcohol Words for drugs, smoking and getting drunk. Listed so people can understand them, not to promote them. (7 words)

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