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.

Tron

NEW
Hard, tough, or wicked. Possibly from "strong".
Example

This exam be tron paa.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Barb

NEW
To understand or catch on; also to be in a tough situation.
Example

You barb what I dey talk?

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Wahala

NEW
Trouble or problem. Shared across West African pidgin.
Example

Chale, som wahala dey oo.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Medaase

NEW
Thank you in Twi (pronounced me-daa-si).
Example

Medaase for the help.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Akwaaba

NEW
Welcome. Twi word of greeting, seen at airports and homes.
Example

Akwaaba! Welcome to Ghana.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Eye

NEW
It is good / I'm fine. Twi response to a greeting (pronounced eh-yeh).
Example

Eti sen? Eye!

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Eti sen

NEW
A Twi greeting meaning "How are you?" or "How is it?"
Example

Eti sen? Everything okay?

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Abeg

NEW
Please; used to make a polite plea. From "I beg".
Example

Abeg no vex.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Obroni

NEW
A white person or foreigner. Twi word, used descriptively, not offensively.
Example

The obroni dey learn Twi.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Trotro

NEW
A shared minibus used for public transport.
Example

I go take trotro go town.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Chale

NEW
Friend, dude, or buddy; also a general exclamation. Pronounced "cha-lay".
Example

Chale, was up?

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Chaley

NEW
Chaley is a way to address a friend. It originates from the Ga language but is widely used in Accra and other parts of Ghana by both Ga speakers and non-speakers.
Example

As a Greeting: "Chaley, how far?" means "Hey my friend, what's up?"

To Emphasize a Point: Stretching the word—"Chaleyyyyy!"—is often used to express extreme surprise, admiration, or exaggeration.

Kofi 17 July 2026

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