How Sheng words are made

Sheng makes new words all the time. Most of them are formed in one of these ways.

• From English English words bent into Sheng, often with the Swahili 'ku-' in front of a verb: kukam, kubuy, kucheki. (54 words, like Bob, Wantam, Kucheki)
• Reversed words Words flipped by swapping their parts so outsiders can't follow: ndio becomes ondi. (2 words, like Ondi, Wasa)
• Old words, new meanings Normal Swahili or English words given a second street meaning: fisi (hyena) for a man who chases women. (36 words, like Kusota, Fuliza, Kasongo)
• Shortened words Long words cut short: salo for salary, hosi for hospital. (19 words, like Gava, Sai, Beste)
• Borrowed from Kenyan languages Words taken from Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya and other languages. (10 words, like Mucene, Punch, Mutura)
• Street inventions Words made up on the street with no clear parent. (55 words, like Sheng, Fala, Ushago)
• Swahili base Standard Swahili words that Sheng speakers use every day. (172 words, like Matatu, Mtaa, Sherehe)