🇳🇬 NAIJAHUB DICTIONARY

Browse words A–Z

Explore Nigerian words, Pidgin, slang, food and expressions alphabetically. Every word opens a dedicated meaning page.

100 words 22 active letters

A

Abi Right? / Isn't it? (used for agreement or confirmation) → Ajebutter Someone who grew up privileged / a soft, pampered person → Agbero A rowdy, aggressive person — often used for park touts → Asoebi Coordinated fabric/outfit worn by a group at Nigerian celebrations → Abeg Please; used to make a request or add emphasis → Akara Deep-fried bean cakes, commonly eaten for breakfast → Alaye A streetwise person; also used informally to address someone → Amala A smooth swallow made from yam, cassava or plantain flour → Area boy A street-connected young man associated with a local neighbourhood →

B

Boku Plenty, a lot (from French "beaucoup") → Big man A wealthy, influential or well-connected person → Banga Palm-fruit soup popular in southern Nigeria → Buka A small local restaurant serving Nigerian meals →

C

Chop To eat, or to collect/receive something (money, punishment, etc.) → Correct Genuinely good, authentic or of high quality → Carry go To proceed or continue with something boldly → Chop knuckle A fist bump used to celebrate or show solidarity → Chin chin A crunchy, bite-sized fried Nigerian snack →

D

Danfo A yellow commercial bus used for public transport in Lagos → Dey play Keep joking or failing to take something seriously →

E

E be things An expression of resignation or acceptance of a situation → E don do It is finished, done or over with → Enter one chance To be tricked or fall into a bad situation → Ehen Expression of agreement, realisation or acknowledgement → E choke An expression for something overwhelming, impressive or intense → E shock you An expression used when something is surprising or unbelievable → Eba A Nigerian swallow made by stirring garri into hot water → Egusi Melon seeds, or the rich Nigerian soup prepared with them → E no easy It is difficult; an expression acknowledging hardship → E tire me I am fed up with it or exhausted by it →

G

Ginger To motivate, excite or boost someone → Gbas gbos A back-and-forth argument or fight → Gbege Serious trouble or problem — usually big drama → Gbedu A powerful beat, lively music or an enjoyable party atmosphere → Gist News, gossip or an informal conversation → Gree To agree, accept or be willing →

H

Hustler A hardworking person grinding to make a living →

I

Iya Beji A woman who has twins — used to greet or refer to such mothers → I dey I am fine, present or available, depending on context → I no send I do not care or I am not bothered →

J

Japa To run away, flee — especially emigrating abroad for a better life → Jand The United Kingdom or, more broadly, life abroad → Jollof Rice cooked in a seasoned tomato and pepper sauce → Jare An informal word adding emphasis, reassurance or impatience →

K

Kpekere Fried plantain chips — a popular Nigerian snack → Kpali A fake, counterfeit, or fraudulent version of something → Kpele Expression of sympathy or condolence for someone → Katakata Trouble, chaos or a messy situation → K-leg A complication, flaw or sign that something is not right → Kolo To become irrational, overly excited or behave as if mad → Kilode What is the matter? or why? →

L

Las las Eventually; in the end; after everything → Long leg Influence or useful connections that create access or advantage →

M

Mugu A gullible person easily deceived or tricked → Mama put An affordable roadside or neighbourhood food vendor → Moi moi A savoury steamed bean pudding → Molue A large, older-style yellow commercial bus associated with Lagos →

N

Na so e be That's how it is / That's the way things are → Na wa o Expression of surprise or mild exasperation → Na God An expression crediting God or accepting what cannot be explained → No dulling Stay active, alert and ready; do not waste time → No gree for anybody Do not allow anyone to intimidate, cheat or overpower you →

O

Oga Boss, superior, or a respectful address for someone in authority → Owambe A lavish Nigerian party or celebration → Orisirisi All sorts of things / a variety / miscellaneous → Ode A fool or dull-witted person → Omo An expression of surprise, admiration or disbelief → Oga at the top The senior authority or person ultimately in charge → Okada A commercial motorcycle used for passenger transport → Oya Come on; hurry up; let us begin → Oyinbo A white person or, in some contexts, someone associated with foreign ways → Oga madam A respectful or playful title for a woman in charge →

P

Pepper dem To show off, succeed despite haters, or live your best life → Packaging Projecting a false or exaggerated image of wealth → Palm wine A traditional drink made from the sap of palm trees → Puff puff Soft, round pieces of sweet fried dough →

R

Runs A hustle, scheme or money-making arrangement →

S

Sabi To know, understand, or be skilled at something → Shakara To show off, act proud or play hard to get → Shayo Alcohol, or the state of being drunk → Soft life A comfortable, luxurious and stress-free lifestyle → Shine your eye Be alert, vigilant and street smart → Sapa A humorous term for being broke or experiencing serious lack of money → See finish Loss of respect caused by excessive familiarity → Shege Serious hardship, suffering or a very difficult experience → Small chops Assorted bite-sized snacks served at Nigerian events → Steeze Effortless style, composure and confident self-presentation → Suya Spiced meat grilled on skewers, commonly sold in the evening → Sha Anyway, though or just; a flexible word used to soften or qualify a statement →

T

Tuale A respectful salute expressing admiration or recognition →

V

Vex To be angry or annoyed →

W

Wahala Trouble, problem or difficulty → Werey A mad, reckless or unpredictable person → Wayo Trickery, deception or cunning behaviour → Waka To walk, travel, leave or move around → Wetin What; used when asking a question →

Y

Yawa don gas Serious trouble has started / things have gone wrong badly → Yen yen Unnecessary noise, complaints or drama → Yab To mock, tease or insult someone playfully or sharply →

Z

Zobo A Nigerian hibiscus drink, usually served chilled →