Slang word	Meaning	Origin	Examples	Slang synonyms
pablo n	muuza madawa drug dealer	Onomastic synecdoche of Spanish name "Pablo", probably based on the name of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar killed in 1993.	Ah! Wapi, ni pablo tu yule. Ah! Wapi, ni muuza madawa ya kulevya tu yule.
pafomu v	cheza, igiza, onyesha perform	Transfer from SE 'perform'.	Baada ya kumaliza kupafomu ndipo alipoendelea kuvunja traki nyingine. Baada ya kumaliza kupiga muziki ndipo alipoendelea kuimba wimbo mwingine.
pagaisha v.caus	changanya confuse	Metaphoric extension of SS *pagaa ' be possessed by an evil spirit'.	Rafiki yangu kuna binti pale amenipagaisha kweli, mpaka akili haifanyi kazi. Rafiki yangu, kuna binti pale ananichanganya kweli, mpaka akili haifanyi kazi.	> pagawa
pagawa v.pass	changanyikiwa be confused	Metaphoric extension of SS *pagaa ' be possessed by an evil spirit'.	Nimepagawa kweli. Nimechanganyikiwa kweli.	> pagaisha
pailoti n5/6	dereva driver	Metonymic extension of SE 'pilot'.	Oya pailoti, weka tuta! We dereva, simamisha gari!
palichimbika v.phr	kulikuwa na vurugu kubwa there was a big quarrel	Metaphorical extension of SS *chimba 'dig'.	Mwanangu, mbona palichimbika. Mwanangu, mbona kulikuwa na vurugu kubwa.
palma n	kokeni cocaine	Metonymic extension of LyM *palma 'hat worn by drug sellers'. Since 2005.	Nafanya biashara ya palma. Nafanya biashara ya kokeni.	> bwimbwi
pamba n adj	1. nguo zinazoenda na wakati 2.kitu kizuri, chenye fasheni 1. fashionable clothes 2. sth nice and fashionable	Metonymic extension of SS *pamba 'cotton'.	1. Amevaa pamba nyepesi. 1. Amevaa nguo nzuri na za bei ya juu sana. 2. Ah, umepanda daladala pamba sana. 2. Ah, umepanda daladala nzuri na ya kisasa.	> ming'aro
panda kichizi v.phr	kuja juu kwa kasi get angry quickly	Semantic extension of SS *panda 'climb, rise, go up' and substandard Swahili *chizi 'crook, type'.		> chizi, kichizi
pandisha kenchi v.phr	umwa na ukimwi suffer from AIDS	Metaphorical extension of SS *pandisha 'lift' and transfer from SE 'quench', based on appearance of a wasted person, whose scapulae are prominent and visible, as is the case with people suffering from AIDS or TB.		> umeme, kanyaga miwaya, mdudu, ngwengwe, ngoma
pank[i] n5/6	1. aina ya unyoaji wa nywele wenye sehemu ya juu ya mraba 2. kitu chenye sehemu ya juu ya mraba 1. punk style of haircut 2. anything with a flat, edged top	Transfer from SE 'punk', based on the image of head with angular haircut which is flat at the top, therefore extension to anything which has a flat top, e.g. certain kinds of busses.	Kuna wengine walionyoa panki. Kuna wengine walionyoa nywele kwa mtindo wa "panki".	> dungu
panya n9/10	daladala ndogo, haisi small bus, Toyota Hiace	Metaphorical extension of SS *panya 'rat, mouse'.	Tulikula zetu panya na kuingia kati. Tulipanda daladala ndogo tulipokwenda mjini.
paparazi n5/6	1. mwandishi wa habari kwa ujumla, hata mpiga picha 2. mnoko 1. journalist, even photographer 2. denouncer	Dysphemistic extension of SE (< Italian) *paparazzi.	Washirika, tuishie, mapaparazi watatuchukua foto. Jamani, tuondoke, waandishi wa habari watatupiga picha.	> mnoko
pasha v.caus	kula au kuvuta kitu fulani, hasa bangi; onja eat or consume something, esp. marijuana; taste	Semantic extension of SS *pasha 'cause to get, cause to have'. Attested in older Swahili slang for the meaning 'explain'.	Njoo tupashe! Njoo tuvute bangi!
pasnali adj	Maridadi smart, attractive	Transfer from SE 'personally'?	Mshikaji yaani umetoka pasnali. Rafiki umevaa vizuri na uko maridadi.
pasua mangumi ya jela v.phr	piga mtu vibaya sana beat sb up	Metonymic extension of 'punch sb like in prison'.		> klintoni, kosovo
pata blanketi v.phr	lala na msichana sleep with a girl	Metonymic extension of SS *pata 'get' and SS *blanketi 'blanket'.
pata sho[r]ti v.phr	pata ukimwi get infected with HIV	Metaphorical extension of SS *pata 'get' and transfer from SE 'short', the image is linked to SE 'short circuit'.	Amepata shoti. He/She has been infected with HIV.
patulo n	suluhu, sare draw	< ?	Gemu ya jana ilikuwa patulo. Mchezo wa jana ulikuwa suluhu.
paundi n9/10	sarafu ya shilingi 20 coin of 20 TSh.	Metonymic extension of SE 'pound'.
pedeshee n	1. bosi, mtu mwenye hela 2. mtu anayependa kupendeza 1. boss, person having money 2. person who likes to please	Transfer from French abbreviation *PDG - président directeur général. Not common.	Oya, mcheki pedeshee yule. Oya mwone mtu tajiri yule.	> kibosile, mdosi, mnene
pedo pusha n.phr	suruali ya kike inayoishia chini ya magoti na isiyo pana sana long trousers for women which are not loose	Transfer from SE 'pedal pusher'.		> pensi nyanya, nyanya puza
pensi nyanya n.phr	suruali inayoishia katika au kidogo chini ya magoti na iliyo pana wide trousers ending below the knees; pant skirt	Transfer from SE 'pants' plus SS *nyanya 'tomato', motivated by form.	Mvulana aliyevaa suruali ya kupanuka mapajani alionekana kana kwamba ni msichana aliyevaa pensi nyanya!	> pedo pusha, nyanya puza
peponi adv; n loc	kiwanja cha ndege airport	Metonymic extension of SS *peponi 'in heaven'.
piga v	kupa give	Semantic extension of SS *piga 'beat, knock'.	Nipige na mia, basi! Unipe shilingi mia!
piga bao v.phr	1. funga goli, shinda, zidi 2. kumwahi mtu kitu 3. fanya mapenzi 4. toa manii 5. ondoka 6. (gari) simamishwa na trafiki 7. danganya 1. score, defeat, win 2. beat sb to it 3. sleep with a girl 4. ejaculate 5. go away 6. (car) get stopped by trafficpolice 7. cheat	Semantic extension of SS *piga 'hit' and augmentative derivation of SS *bao 'goal.'	3. Nimempiga bao demu fulani jana usiku. 3. Nimefanya mapenzi na msichana Fulani jana usiku. 5. Napiga bao. 5. Naondoka. 6. Gari limepigwa bao na trafiki. 6. Gari limesimamishwa pembeni na trafiki. 7. Nilimpiga bao akanipa fedha. 7. Nilimdanganya akanipa fedha.	> kaza, tia, zidi kete
piga beto v.phr	fanya ugomvi, anzisha ugomvi start a fight, fight	Expression composed of SS *piga 'hit' plus adaption of SE 'battle'. Obsolete.	We mshikaji, ukileta za kuleta nakupiga beto. We rafiki, ukileta ujinga nitakufanyia ugomvi.
piga bunda v.phr	ondoka, kimbia go away, run away	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'hit' plus SS *bunda 'bale, bundle'.	Piga bunda, bwana. Toka hapa, bwana.	> anza, chomoa, ishia, jiachia, jikata, jisanzua, kipa, kula bunda, lala mbele, tambaa, timka, timua, toa kiwingu, yeya
piga bushoke n	lala chini katika sakafu sleep on the floor	Onomastic synecdoche from name of musician, who sang a song about a man who was mistreated by his wife and had to sleep on the floor.	Masela mnapiga bushoke. Marafiki mnalala chini katika sakafu kwa sababu ya ufinyu wa nafasi za kulala.
piga chabo v.phr	chungulia vitu visivyomhusu mtu, chungulia mtu kwa kumwangalia peep, spy out "through the keyhole"	< ?		> kula chabo
piga chasi v.phr	chungulia vitu visivyomhusu mtu, chungulia dirishani, peleleza mtu, kuwaangalia watu kwa kificho peep, spy	Semantic extension of SS *kula 'eat'; origin of *chasi unclear.	Acha kupiga chasi! Acha kuangalia watu kwa kificho!	> kula chasi, piga deo, piga tochi, kula chabo
piga chini vphr	1. anguka 2. kataa mtu 1. fall down 2. forbid sb	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'hit' and *chini 'down'.	1. Alipiga chini. 1. Alianguka. 2. Alimpiga chini. 2. Alimkataa.
piga debe v.phr	tangaza kwa nguvu announce energetically	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'hit' plus *debe 'tin'.
piga denda v.phr	kupa busu mdomoni, nyonya ulimi, kula romansi French kissing, deep kissing	Metonymic extension of SS *piga 'hit' and *denda 'saliva'.	Mshikaji alimpiga denda demu wake. Rafiki amempa "deep kiss" mpenzi wake.	> denda
piga deo, piga mdeo, kula mdeo v.phr	1. chungulia vitu visivyomhusu mtu 2. tazamia kwa mbali 1. peep 2. look from far like zooming	Metonymic extension of SS *piga 'beat' plus truncation of SE 'video'.	2. Hoya, tuache, tule mdeo kwa chati hapa. 2. Hoya, twende, tuangalie vizuri toka mbali.	> kula chabo, piga chabo, piga tochi
piga desh v.phr	acha mlo kwa sababu ya bajeti finyu go without meal for lack of money	Semantic extension of SS *piga 'beat' plus French *dèche 'broke'?
piga fiksi v.phr	ongopa, sema uwongo, danganya tell lies, cheat	Euphemistic metaphorical extension of LyM expression "piga fiksi" 'tidy up, put things in their proper place'	Toka, unatupiga fiksi tu. Toka, unatudanganya tu.	> funga (ma)kamba, kamba
piga fleva v.phr	tongoza flirt with a girl	Metonymic extension of SS *piga 'hit' and transfer from SE 'flavour'.
piga jeki v.phr	1. kupa mtu msaada 2. vaa sidiria 1. help sb 2. wear a bra	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'beat, hit' plus *jeki 'jack'. In 2. dysphemistic extension: like a jack is used for lifting cars, a bra is used for lifting breasts.	1. Nitakupiga jeki. 1. Nitakusaidia. 2. Yule kapiga jeki yule. 2. Yule amevaa sidiria.
piga kimya v.phr	nyamaza kabisa kuhusu jambo fulani be silent	Semantic extension of SS *piga 'hit, beat' plus *kimya 'silence'.	Waliponiuliza kuhusu ishu ya fedha mimi nilipiga kimya. Waliponiuliza kuhusu swala la fedha mimi nilinyamaza kabisa.	> kausha, kauka, kula jiwe, mezea, mikausho
piga kipepsi v.phr	kumpiga mtu kwa kiwiko hit sb with elbow	Metonymic extension of 'Pepsi Cola', based on form of bottleneck.	Amenipiga kipepsi. Amenipiga kwa kiwiko.
piga kirungu v.phr	omba vibaya, omba pesa beg from someone, esp. money, cadge for, sponge, ask for money	Hyperbolic semantic extension of SS *piga kirungu 'hit with a club'.	Yule amenipiga kirungu. Yule ameniomba hela.	> bomu, piga mzinga, jamaa wa virungu
piga kona v.phr	fanya mapenzi nje ya ndoa have extramarital sex	Metaphorical extension of colloquial expression 'hit the corner', meaning 'turn direction'.	Yule baba anapiga kona sana. Â
piga maji v.phr	kunywa pombe, kunywa ulevi drink alcohol	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'beat, hit' plus *maji 'water'. Also attested in older Swahili slang.	Yule anapiga sana maji. Yule anakunywa sana pombe.	> maji
piga mdeo				> piga deo
piga mti, piga miti v.phr	fanya mapenzi make love, have sex	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'hit' plus *mti 'tree' (colloquial for erect penis). There is no passive *pigwa mti. The phrase cannot be used in family context; preferred among young men for boasting purposes. Also attested in older Swahili slang.	Alimpiga mti. Alifanya mapenzi naye.	> piga bao, mti
piga mtu bao v.phr	shinda mtu, fanya mapenzi na mwanamke defeat sb, sleep with a woman	Metonymic extension of SS *piga goli 'shoot a goal'.	Shetani amekupiga bao. Shetani amekushinda.
piga mtu kijembe v.phr	kumtolea mtu maneno ya kejeli ambayo yanaweza kuwa ya kweli au siyo mock at sb	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'hit' plus *kijembe 'little hoe'.
piga mweleka v.phr	anguka fall down	Metonymic extension of SS *piga 'hit' plus *mweleka 'wrestle'.	John alipiga mweleka. John alianguka.	> lamba mweleka
piga mzinga v.phr	omba, omba pesa beg from someone, esp. money, cadge for, sponge, ask for money	Hyperbolic semantic extension of SS *piga mzinga 'fire a cannon'.	Yule amenipiga mzinga. Yule ameniomba hela.	> bomu, piga kirungu, jamaa wa virungu
piga nao v.phr	fanya mapenzi (wanaume) make love, have sex (men)	Pronominal form *nao, referring to *uume 'penis' plus SS *piga 'beat, hit'.	Punguza kumpiga nao kila siku. Punguza kufanya naye mapenzi kila siku.	> chapa nao, piga bao
piga ndonga v.phr	cheza ndondi box	< ?	Yule ni mpiga ndonga. Yule ni mcheza ndondi.
piga nyeto v.phr	piga punyetomasturbate (male)	Initial clipping of SS *punyeto 'act of masturbation (male)'	Mshikaji acha kupiga nyeto. Rafiki, acha kupiga punyeto.	> piga puri
piga pafu v.phr	1. vuta sigara 2. kunywa pombe kwa vifundo vichache. 1. take a puff 2. take a few gulps of beer	Semantic extension of SS *kula 'eat' and SS *pafu 'lung' or SE 'puff'?	1. Mshikaji, nigee fegi nipige pafu moja, nimekalukwa. 1. Jamaa, naomba sigara nivute kidogo, nimeishiwa.
piga puri v.phr	piga punyeto masturbate (male)	Terminal clipping plus suffixing -ri of SS *punyeto 'act of masturbation (male)'	Mshikaji acha kupiga puri. Rafiki, acha kupiga punyeto.	> piga nyeto
piga soo				> soo
piga stori v.phr	simulia habari tell a story, tell stories	Transfer from SE 'story' plus semantic extension of SS *piga 'hit, beat': "hit a story".	Hawakupiga stori nyingi, wakaagana. Hawakuzungumza sana, wakaagana.
piga tarumbeta v.phr	1. kunywa kutoka kwenye chupa, bila bilauri 2. sambaza habari ambazo hazimhusu mtu 1. drink from the bottle 2. gossip	Metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'hit, play' and *tarumbeta 'trumpet'.
piga tochi v.phr	angalia have a look at, stare at	Hyperbolic metaphoric extension of SS *piga 'hit' plus SE 'torch'.	Mbona unanipiga tochi. Mbona unaniangalia sana.	> macho balbu
pigana vibuti v.phr	achana separate, leave one another	Dysphemistic extension of SS *pigana ‘hit one another’ plus LyM *vibuti ‘little boots’.	Wamepigana vibuti. Wameachana.
pigia debe v.phr	tangazia kitu fulani make sth known, advertise	Metonymic extension of SS *piga debe 'hit the tin'	Wanaipigia debe pombe ya Malta Guiness. Wanaitangazia pombe ya Malta Guiness.	> piga debe
pigika v	ishiwa pesa run out of money	Metaphorical semantic extension of stative derivation of SS *piga 'beat'.	Nimepigika. Nimeishiwa pesa.	> rosti, uawa, mabaga, kalukwa
pigilia v.appl	vaa wear	Hyperbolic metaphorical extension of SS *piga 'hit'. Also attested in Sheng.	Joy amepigilia nguo safi. Joy amevaa nguo nzuri.	> kula nguo, tinga
pigwa bao v.phr	tapeliwa, danganywa, ibiwa be cheated, be tricked, be robbed	Semantic extension of SS *piga 'beat' plus derivation of SS *bao 'goal'.
pigwa buti v.phr	achwa be abandoned	Metaphorical extension of SS *pigwa 'be hit and LyM *buti 'boot'.	Nimepigwa buti. Nimeachwa.	>pigana vibuti, tosa
pilau n9/10	filamu ya X, filamu iliyopiwa marafuku. X-rated movie	Metaphorical extension of SS *pilau. Cognitive motivation not clear.	Nilikuwa nimeangalia pilau. Nilikuwa nimeangalia filamu ya X.	> bluu
pimbi n5/6	mtu mfupi short person	< ? Probably invented by the newspaper "Sani". Also attested for older Swahili slang as *pimbi 'short-statured person'.	Nimeenda bichi nikakutana na pimbi. Nimeenda bichi nikakutana na mtu mfupi sana.	> emoro, sista P
pina n adj	zuri, uzuri nice, beautiful, beauty	Probably derived from the LyM phrase *chelea pina 'nice, well'.	Demu yuko pina. Msichana ni mzuri sana.
pinda n.phr	kuwa na mambo yasiyo mazuri be bad, develop in negative way (of affairs)	Metaphorical extension of SS *pinda 'bend'.	Nimepinda. Mambo yangu siyo mazuri.
pini n9/10	shilingi 100 100 TSh	Semantic extension based on the augmentative of SS *mpini 'shaft or handle for inserting tool' or SE 'pin'?	Naomba pini. Naomba shilingi mia.	> hais, jiti, nyento, nyanga, alasiri
pini, mpini n	1. mdundo wa muziki 2. msichana mzuri 1. rhythm of music 2. beautiful girl, young woman	Metonymic extension of transfer from SE 'pin', or semantic extension based on the augmentative of SS *mpini 'shaft or handle for inserting tool'?	Pini yangu matata sana. Msichana wangu mzuri matata sana.	> gashi
pipa n5/6	1. ndege ya jeshi 2. ndege ya abiria 1. airforce plane 2. aeroplane for passengers	Dysphemistic metaphorical extension of SS *pipa 'barrel, tub, cask'.	Walami baada ya kupoa hapa Kurio watamotoa na pipa. Wazungu baada ya kukaa hapa Kurio wataondoka na ndege.
pira n5	kondomu condome	Metonymic extension of augmentative of SS *mpira 'rubber'.		> buti, soksi, ndomu
pisto[l] n	nyonga kubwa large hips	Metaphorical extension of transfer from SE 'pistol', motivated by form of holster worn on hips in "cowboy-style".	Yule ana pistol. Yule ana nyonga kubwa.	> bastola, bunduki, silaha, mvinyo
poa adv;adj	nzuri cool, nice, good	Metaphoric extension of SS *poa 'cool down', calque on SE 'cool'. Predominantly used in greetings as a standard reply to *hali vipi. Also attested in Sheng.	Hali vipi? - Poa! Hali vipi? - Nzuri!	> baridi, joto, byee
poa v	kaa stay, rest, pause	Semantico-pragmatic extension of SS *poa 'cool down, calm down'.	Walami baada ya kupoa hapa Kurio watamotoa na pipa. Wazungu baada ya kukaa hapa Kurio wataondoka na ndege.
pochi n5	fedha za noti paper money	Metonymic extension of SS *pochi 'purse'.	Ifungue haraka barua yako tulione pochi alilokutumia. Ifungue haraka barua yako tuzione fedha za noti alizokutumia.
pochoa v	kula sana eat very much, guzzle	Probably derived from LyM *mapochopocho 'nice food'.	Jana tumepochoa sana. Jana tumekula sana.	> jichana
poda n9/10	madawa ya kulevya drugs	Metonymic extension of transfer from SE 'powder'.	Vijana wanakula poda sana. Vijana wanatumia sana madawa ya kulevya.
pointi tano n.phr	chotara half cast	Transfer from English 'point five', meaning 1/2. In Sheng *pointi-faiv is attested with the same meaning.
pointi tupu n.phr	wazi to the point	Semantic extension of transfer from SE 'point' and SS *tupu 'unmixed, mere'.	Leo umeongea pointi tupu. Leo umeongea wazi.
poteza v.caus	1. kutoelewa 2. kufa, fariki 1. misunderstand 2. die	Metaphorical extension of SS *poteza 'lose'. In 2.: Ellipsis of "poteza maisha" 'lose one's life'.	1. Hoya unapoteza bwana. 1. Huelewi, bwana.
poteza kitumbua v.phr	poteza kazi lose a job	Metaphorical of SS *poteza 'lose' and *kitumbua 'rice cake'; expression 'lose the rice cake'.	Nilifanya uzembe nikapoteza kitumbua changu. Nilifanya uzembe nikapoteza kazi yangu.
poyoyo n5/6	mwanamume bila nguvu, mjinga, bwege henpecked husband, fool	< ?	Rafiki yangu usiwe poyoyo. Rafiki yangu usiwe mjinga.	> boka, mbwiga, mnyela, ndula
poza v.caus	kupa hela kidogo help sb with money	Metaphorical extension from SS *poza 'cool', based on the image of cooling the hot state caused by any kind of irritation.	Nipoze bwana. Nipe hela kidogo.
promota n5/6	1. promota redioni 2. mtu ambaye anapiga na kukata simu ya mkononi 1. promoter at the radio 2. someone who beeps with mobile phone	Semantic extension of SE 'promoter', based on the song of Mr. II "promota anabeep".	2. Ah, promota huyu. 2. Ah, huyu ni mtu ambaye anataka nimpigie simu.
propoza n5/6	biashara marufuku illegal traffic	Semantic extension of SE 'propose'? Attested in older Swahili slang for the meaning 'contraband, bribe'.	Ukipata propoza ya kuuza viatu vipya toka bandarini sawa. It is okay if you get illegal traffic to sell shoes from the port.
punga n5	wali cooked rice	Hyperbolic extension of SS *mpunga 'unhusked rice'. In older Swahili slang attested with the meaning 'gruel'.	Tufinye punga. Tule wali.	> mavi ya panya, nyali, punje, ubeche, ubwabwa
punguwani n9/10/6	taahira fool	Semantic extension of SS *pungua 'be reduced'.	Yule ni punguani. Yule ni taahira.	> mtambo, some-time-yes-some-time-no
punje n9	wali cooked rice	Metonymic extension of SS *punje 'grain'. In older Swahili slang attested with the meaning 'gruel'.	Wacha tufinye punje. Wacha tule wali.	> mavi ya panya, nyali, punga, ubeche, ubwabwa
pupwe n5	kiyoyozi air-conditioner	Hyperbolic extension based on augmentative of SS *kipupwe 'cold season, cold weather'.
pusha n5/6	mwuza bangi marijuana dealer	Transfer from SE 'pusher'.
puyanga v	enda visivyo be unsteady, erratic	< ?	Hoya mtu wangu acha kupuyanga kama kuku. Hoya rafiki yangu acha kwenda ovyo.
pwaga v	toa uongo, danganya lie, cheat	Metaphoric extension of SS *pwaga 'grind, pound'; attested in older Swahili slang for the meaning 'go away'.	Usinipwage! Usinidanganye!
pótabo n	mwanamke mwenye umbo dogo zuri woman with small figure	Metaphorical extension of transfer from SE 'potable'.	Siku hizi Asha ni potabo. Siku hizi Asha ana umbo dogo zuri.