Shengwords

Pombe

POH-mbeh /ˈpɔ.ᵐbɛ/

"Pombe" is Sheng for alcohol (also: booze).

Meaning

  1. noun alcohol, booze. Alcohol in general. Sheng speakers specify by type: bia (beer), mzinga (a large bottle), and a long list of local brew names.

Examples

  • Hakuna pombe kwa nyumba yetu. There's no alcohol in our house.
  • Amekunywa pombe nyingi leo. He's drunk too much today.

Similar and opposite words

Same meaning

Where it comes from

Swahili 'pombe' (alcoholic drink).

How it was made: Swahili base.

Questions about Pombe

What does Pombe mean in Sheng?

"Pombe" is Sheng for alcohol (also: booze). Alcohol in general. Sheng speakers specify by type: bia (beer), mzinga (a large bottle), and a long list of local brew names.

How do you use Pombe in a sentence?

"Hakuna pombe kwa nyumba yetu." means "There's no alcohol in our house."

How do you pronounce Pombe?

Say it POH-mbeh (/ˈpɔ.ᵐbɛ/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.

Where does the word Pombe come from?

Swahili 'pombe' (alcoholic drink).

Share or improve this entry

Suggest a fix Record how you say it

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