Kenya Slang Dictionary

Kenyan slang is dominated by Sheng - a vibrant street language born in Nairobi's Eastlands that fuses Swahili and English with words from Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba and Luhya. Spoken by the majority of Kenya's youth, Sheng evolves so fast that vocabulary can shift within months. It's the language of matatu culture, Kenyan hip-hop and daily life across the city. Words like sasa, poa, ganji and mse are just the start. Explore the community-built Sheng dictionary below, and add the words you know.

Manzi

NEW
A girl or young woman.
Example

Yule manzi ni msee poa.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Chuma

NEW
A car; also can mean a weapon.
Example

Amenunua chuma mpya.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Mbao

NEW
Twenty shillings.
Example

Nipe mbao nitanunua maji.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Thao

NEW
One thousand shillings.
Example

Nilitumia thao moja.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Doo

NEW
Money.
Example

Hakuna doo mfukoni.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Chapaa

NEW
Money; cash.
Example

Kazi ni kutafuta chapaa.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Ganji

NEW
Money.
Example

Sina ganji leo.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Mathe

NEW
Mother, or an older woman.
Example

Mathe anakuita.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Buda

NEW
Father, or an older man addressed casually.
Example

Buda amerudi kazi.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Sonko

NEW
A rich person or a boss.
Example

Yule mse ni sonko.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Mse

NEW
A guy, dude, or person. From "mse" for a fellow.
Example

Yule mse ni poa.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Poa

NEW
Cool, fine, or okay.
Example

Niko poa, thanks.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

© 2020 Africtionary®