Shengwords

Level 3: OG

Deeper cuts: regional, older and in-group words that show you really know the mtaa.

Skip to the quiz or practise with flashcards

  1. Baadaye bah-ah-DAH-yeh

    "Baadaye" is Sheng for later (also: afterwards).

    • Tuongee baadaye, niko kazini.Let's talk later, I'm at work.

  2. Foleni foh-LEH-nee

    "Foleni" is Sheng for traffic jam (also: queue).

    • Foleni imetuchukua saa moja.Traffic took us an hour.

  3. Kufeliwa koo-feh-LEE-wah

    "Kufeliwa" is Sheng for to fail (also: to be let down, to fall through).

    • Nimefeliwa hesabu tena.I failed maths again.

  4. Kesho KEH-shoh

    "Kesho" is Sheng for tomorrow.

    • Tutakutana kesho asubuhi.We'll meet tomorrow morning.

  5. Kibarua kee-bah-ROO-ah

    "Kibarua" is Sheng for casual job (also: gig, day labour).

    • Nimepata kibarua cha siku tatu.I got a three-day gig.

  6. Mzinga m-ZEE-ngah

    "Mzinga" is Sheng for large bottle of spirits (also: a cannon).

    • Wameleta mzinga kwa sherehe.They brought a big bottle to the party.

  7. Samahani sah-mah-HAH-nee

    "Samahani" is Sheng for excuse me (also: forgive me, sorry (apology)).

    • Samahani, naomba kupita.Excuse me, may I get past?

  8. Tafuta tah-FOO-tah

    "Tafuta" is Sheng for to look for (also: to search).

    • Ninatafuta kazi tangu Januari.I've been looking for work since January.

  9. Usiniingie oo-see-nee-ee-NGEE-eh

    "Usiniingie" is Sheng for don't start with me (also: don't get in my face).

    • Usiniingie leo, nimechoka.Don't start with me today, I'm tired.

  10. Barabara bah-rah-BAH-rah

    "Barabara" is Sheng for road (also: street).

    • Barabara iko wazi asubuhi.The road is clear in the morning.

Quiz: 10 questions

1. What does Baadaye mean?

Next: Greetings