People

Words for men, women and the kinds of people you meet in town.

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Lesson

  1. Msee m-SEH-eh

    "Msee" is Sheng for guy (also: person, dude, mate).

    • Msee, niko na doo kidogo tu.Man, I only have a little money.
  2. Wasee wah-SEH-eh

    "Wasee" is Sheng for guys (also: people, folks).

    • Wasee, tuondoke sasa?Guys, shall we leave now?
  3. Demu DEH-moo

    "Demu" is Sheng for girl (also: young woman).

    • Demu yule ni rafiki yangu tu.That girl is just my friend.
  4. Mjanja m-JAH-njah

    "Mjanja" is Sheng for sharp (also: streetwise person, clever one).

    • Yule msee ni mjanja, hakuuzi bei.That guy is sharp, he won't sell you a bad price.
  5. Makanga mah-KAH-ngah

    "Makanga" is Sheng for matatu conductor (also: touts).

    • Makanga aliita wageni kwa stage.The conductor was calling passengers at the stage.
  6. Babi BAH-bee

    "Babi" is Sheng for rich kid (also: posh person).

    • Huyo ni babi, hajawahi panda mat.He's a rich kid, he has never used a matatu.
  7. Chizi CHEE-zee

    "Chizi" is Sheng for crazy person.

    • Huyo dere ni chizi, anaendesha vibaya.That driver is crazy, he drives badly.
  8. Kanjo KAH-njoh

    "Kanjo" is Sheng for city council enforcement officers.

    • Kanjo imekuja, vuta mbao zako.Council officers are here, grab your things.
  9. Mzee m-ZEH-eh

    "Mzee" is Sheng for old man (also: respectful term for a grown man).

    • Mzee wangu yuko nyumbani.My old man (father) is at home.
  10. Mrembo m-REH-mboh

    "Mrembo" is Sheng for beautiful woman (also: gorgeous one).

    • Mrembo alipita na marafiki zake.The beautiful woman walked past with her friends.

Quiz: 10 questions

1. What does Msee mean?

Next: Family