Slang

1. Poa

   Cool / All good

   Usage

   The most basic colloquialism, understood across East Africa; the standard answer to "mambo?". It literally means "cool". Safe with anyone, though "nzuri" is politer to an elder

2. Safi

   Clean / All good

   Usage

   Literally "clean", extended to "all good". Understood in both Kenya and Tanzania, and safe with anyone

3. Freshi

   Fresh / Doing great

   Usage

   English "fresh" in Swahili dress — a slightly livelier reply than "poa". Youth slang, so keep it to people your own age. Common in Kenya

4. Fiti

   Fit / I'm good

   Usage

   From English "fit", used for being in good shape or good order. Kenyan youth slang — not for formal settings

5. Shwari

   Smooth / All calm

   Usage

   Originally "calm seas", now "everything's fine". Especially common on the coast and in Tanzania, and safe with anyone

6. Bomba

   Great / Excellent

   Usage

   A Tanzanian favourite for praising food or music. It literally means "pump" or "pipe", extended to something with force behind it

7. Mambo?

   What's up?

   Usage

   Literally "things?" — the casual greeting across East Africa, answered with "poa". With an older person use "shikamoo" instead

8. Vipi?

   How's it going?

   Usage

   Literally "how" — on its own it is a casual greeting, sometimes extended to "mambo vipi?". For friends, not for an older stranger

9. Sasa?

   Hey (Kenyan greeting)

   Usage

   Literally "now?" — a distinctly Kenyan greeting answered with "fiti" or "poa". It does not work as a greeting in Tanzania

10. Niaje?

    How are you? (Nairobi slang)

    Usage

    The signature Sheng greeting of Nairobi, contracted from "uko aje?". Strictly between young people — not for elders or formal settings, and not well understood in Tanzania

11. Sema

    Hey / What's the word?

    Usage

    Literally "speak" — a light greeting to a friend, roughly "hey, what's up". For friends your age, not for shop staff or elders

12. Mse

    Guy / Mate (Nairobi slang)

    Usage

    A Sheng reshaping of "mtu" (person), used for or to a friend. Nairobi youth slang — not for elders or strangers, and unknown in Tanzania

13. Noma

    Intense / Rough

    Usage

    Marks something difficult or serious: "ni noma" is "that's rough". Depending on context it can also mean "amazing". Kenyan youth slang, not for elders

14. Kumbe!

    So that's it! / Would you believe it!

    Usage

    The exclamation for learning something that upends what you assumed. It is standard Swahili, so it is safe in any company

15. Duh!

    Wow! / Oh man!

    Usage

    A Kenyan exclamation of surprise or disbelief — the sound you make on hearing a price. Not a curse, so it is safe anywhere, though it is rarer in Tanzania

16. Hakuna shida

    No problem

    Usage

    The phrase locals actually use; Tanzanians also say "hamna shida". The famous "hakuna matata" spread through the film and now reads as a tourist's line

17. Basi

    Well then / That's enough

    Usage

    The interjection for wrapping up or moving on. It is spelled like "bus" but is a separate word — the context tells you which. Safe with anyone

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