Au
AH-oo /ˈɑ.u/
"Au" is Sheng for or.
Meaning
- conjunction or. The choice word: 'chai au kahawa?' — tea or coffee? In slang it also appears as a sentence-filler: 'au sivyo?' (or isn't it?).
Examples
- Unataka chapati au ugali? Do you want chapati or ugali?
- Twende sasa au tusubiri? Shall we go now or wait?
Similar and opposite words
Where it comes from
Arabic 'aw' via Swahili 'au'.
How it was made: Swahili base.
Questions about Au
What does Au mean in Sheng?
"Au" is Sheng for or. The choice word: 'chai au kahawa?' — tea or coffee? In slang it also appears as a sentence-filler: 'au sivyo?' (or isn't it?).
How do you use Au in a sentence?
"Unataka chapati au ugali?" means "Do you want chapati or ugali?"
How do you pronounce Au?
Say it AH-oo (/ˈɑ.u/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.
Where does the word Au come from?
Arabic 'aw' via Swahili 'au'.
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To quote this page: “Au.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/au (accessed 2026-11-10).