Ghana Slang Dictionary

Ghanaian slang mixes Ghanaian Pidgin English with Twi, Ga and other local languages into the everyday street talk of Accra, Kumasi and beyond. From university campuses to trotro rides, it's expressive, humorous and constantly evolving. Iconic words like chale, obroni, dumsor and eti sen capture Ghanaian warmth and wit. Browse the growing, community-built dictionary of Ghanaian slang below - and if you know a word that's missing, be the first to define it.

Paa

Very, a lot, or intensely. Twi intensifier.
Example

The food sweet paa.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Slippers or flip-flops (from a coastal town name).
Example

Wear your charlie wote make we go beach.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Hard, tough, or wicked. Possibly from "strong".
Example

This exam be tron paa.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Big or huge.
Example

That be bola problem.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Friend, dude, or buddy; also a general exclamation. Pronounced "cha-lay".
Example

Chale, was up?

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Embarrassment or a disgraceful situation.
Example

Yawa dey oo, he embarrass himself.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
An exclamation to get attention or express surprise.
Example

Herh! Wetin happen?

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
A shared minibus used for public transport.
Example

I go take trotro go town.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Persistent power outages / load-shedding. From Twi "dum" (off) and "sor" (on).
Example

Dumsor spoil my whole evening.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
A white person or foreigner. Twi word, used descriptively, not offensively.
Example

The obroni dey learn Twi.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

Oga

Boss or someone in authority. Borrowed from Nigerian pidgin.
Example

My oga go decide.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Please; used to make a polite plea. From "I beg".
Example

Abeg no vex.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

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