Askari

ah-SKAH-ree /ɑ.ˈskɑ.ɾi/

"Askari" is Sheng for police officer (also: guard, soldier).

Meaning

  1. noun police officer, guard, soldier. Any uniformed officer — police, security guard or soldier. Context decides which.

Examples

  • Askari walikuwa kwa barabara usiku kote. The officers were on the road all night.
  • Askari wa geti alimjua. The gate guard knew him.

Similar and opposite words

Where it comes from

Persian/Arabic 'askar' via Swahili 'askari'.

How it was made: Swahili base.

Questions about Askari

What does Askari mean in Sheng?

"Askari" is Sheng for police officer (also: guard, soldier). Any uniformed officer — police, security guard or soldier. Context decides which.

How do you use Askari in a sentence?

"Askari walikuwa kwa barabara usiku kote." means "The officers were on the road all night."

How do you pronounce Askari?

Say it ah-SKAH-ree (/ɑ.ˈskɑ.ɾi/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.

Where does the word Askari come from?

Persian/Arabic 'askar' via Swahili 'askari'.

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To quote this page: “Askari.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/askari (accessed 2026-11-10).