Tunde Bakare

Joined about 1 month ago

Lamba Definitions by Tunde Bakare

32 definitions

1

An encouraging way to express confidence in someone's ability to succeed. It implies a strong belief that they will achieve their goal.

"You will definitely pass that exam, e sure for you."

Pronunciation:/iː ʃʊər fɔːr juː/
Origin:A Pidgin phrase literally meaning 'It is sure for you'.
Part of Speech:Declarative Phrase
Synonyms:You've got this, I believe in you
More Examples:
"Don't doubt yourself, e sure for you."
Popularized by:A popular way to hype someone up or show support for their endeavors.
2

To understand or comprehend something.

"Don’t worry bro, I grab you."

Pronunciation:/ɡræb/
Origin:From the English word 'grab', used metaphorically to mean grasping a concept.
Part of Speech:Verb
Synonyms:Understand, Get it, Sabi
More Examples:
"Do you grab what I'm saying?"
Popularized by:An informal way to confirm understanding in a conversation.
3

A slang term for a young maiden, a beautiful lady, or a girlfriend.

"He's going out with his new kele tonight."

Pronunciation:/ˈkɛlɛ/
Origin:The origin is not specified, but it's a term of endearment.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Girl, Babe, Chick, Smallie
More Examples:
"See that fine kele."
Popularized by:Commonly used to refer to an attractive young woman.
4

A small, basic mobile phone, often with a torchlight. Also known as a 'feature phone'.

"I use a smartphone, but I still have my tanasobe as a backup."

Pronunciation:/tɑːnɑːsoʊbeɪ/
Origin:A Yoruba slang term, likely descriptive of the phone's small size and basic features.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Feature phone, Torchlight phone
More Examples:
Popularized by:A common term for non-smartphones, especially the old, durable Nokia models.
5

A slang term for a girlfriend, or more generally, a young girl or a petite woman.

"He is going to see his smallie."

Pronunciation:/ˈsmɔːli/
Origin:Derived from the English word 'small', used as a term of endearment or description.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Girlfriend, Babe, Kele
More Examples:
"That smallie is very smart."
Popularized by:A common and affectionate way to refer to a female partner or a young woman.
6

A street-smart person; someone who is knowledgeable about the ways of the street and can navigate its complexities.

"That boy na omo aye, he sabi street things."

Pronunciation:/oʊmoʊ aɪjeɪ/
Origin:A Yoruba phrase where 'Omo' means 'child' and 'Aye' means 'world' or 'life'. It literally translates to 'child of the world', implying someone who is worldly and experienced.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Street-smart, Sharp guy, Soji
More Examples:
Popularized by:Commonly used in urban areas, especially Lagos, to describe individuals with street credibility and savviness.
7

The Yoruba version of 'No problem'.

"Don't worry about it, kosi wahala."

Pronunciation:/koʊsi wɑːˈhɑːlə/
Origin:A blend of Yoruba ('Kosi' meaning 'there is no') and Hausa ('wahala' meaning 'trouble').
Part of Speech:Interjection Phrase
Synonyms:No wahala, No problem
More Examples:
Popularized by:A widely used phrase across Nigeria, demonstrating the linguistic blend in common expressions.
8

The Yoruba phrase for 'How are you?'. It is an informal greeting, more appropriate for friends or younger people.

"Bawo ni, Femi?"

Pronunciation:/bawoʊ ni/
Origin:Directly from the Yoruba language.
Part of Speech:Interrogative Phrase
Synonyms:How are you?, How far?
More Examples:
Popularized by:A common informal greeting. Using it with elders can be seen as disrespectful; more formal greetings are preferred for them.
9

An expression of surprise or disbelief, meaning 'Is that so?' or 'Really??'.

"Person 1: I'm traveling to Dubai tomorrow. Person 2: Ehn en?"

Pronunciation:/ɛ̃ ɛ̃/
Origin:A Yoruba expression, the meaning of which is heavily dependent on intonation.
Part of Speech:Interjection
Synonyms:Really?, Is that so?
More Examples:
Popularized by:A common interjection in conversations to express surprise or seek confirmation.
10

To land a heavy or deafening slap on someone.

"Don’t let me deck you please."

Pronunciation:/dɛk/
Origin:From the English word 'deck', meaning to knock someone to the floor.
Part of Speech:Verb
Synonyms:Slap, Hit
More Examples:
"She gave him a hot deck."
Popularized by:A common slang term for a powerful slap.
11

A Yoruba phrase literally meaning 'continue sleeping'. In slang, it's a dismissive statement telling someone 'Don’t slack or sleep off', ironically meaning 'wake up' or 'be alert'. It can also be used to tell someone they are clueless.

"If you think that plan will work, máa lo sùn."

Pronunciation:/mɑː loʊ sʊn/
Origin:Directly from the Yoruba language.
Part of Speech:Imperative Phrase
Synonyms:Wake up, Be alert, You are clueless
More Examples:
Popularized by:Used sarcastically to tell someone they are not aware of what's happening.
12

A Yoruba phrase meaning 'Don’t deceive me' or 'Don't try to fool me'.

"I know what you're trying to do, ma bóbò mi jo."

Pronunciation:/mɑː boʊbɔː mi dʒoʊ/
Origin:Directly from the Yoruba language.
Part of Speech:Imperative Phrase
Synonyms:Don't deceive me, Don't fool me
More Examples:
Popularized by:A warning to someone perceived to be deceptive.
13

A Yoruba phrase used as slang to mean 'You're doing well', 'Well-done', or 'Good job'.

"You finished the project on time? Washere!"

Pronunciation:/wɑːʃɛˈreɪ/
Origin:From the Yoruba language, where it literally means 'You'll do great things'.
Part of Speech:Interjection
Synonyms:Well done, Good job, Oshey
More Examples:
"Nice outfit, washere."
Popularized by:Adopted into contemporary slang as a way to commend someone's efforts or achievements in a culturally specific manner.
14

A popular Nigerian drink made from dried hibiscus leaves. In slang, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something as stressful, intense, or nonsensical.

"I need a cold glass of zobo."

Pronunciation:/ˈzoʊboʊ/
Origin:The name of the drink. The slang usage is metaphorical.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Hibiscus tea, Nonsense
More Examples:
"The argument was too much, this zobo is vawulence."
Popularized by:The drink is a staple. The slang usage, e.g., 'This Zobo too vawulence', compares the intensity of a situation to the sharp taste of the drink, or dismisses something as worthless like leftover zobo leaves.
15

England, UK, or by extension, any Western country.

"I wan travel go Jand."

Pronunciation:/dʒand/
Origin:Nigerian Pidgin corruption of 'England'.
Part of Speech:noun
Synonyms:abroad, overseas, UK
More Examples:
"My brother dey Jand."
"When you go come back from Jand?"
Popularized by:Popular among Nigerians discussing travel abroad.
Since:1980
16

A slang verb meaning to relax or chill.

"I'm just going to peche at home today."

Pronunciation:/pɛˈtʃeɪ/
Origin:The origin is not specified.
Part of Speech:Verb
Synonyms:Relax, Chill, Pam
More Examples:
Popularized by:Used informally to mean 'take it easy'.
17

To be 'woke', aware, alert, or street-smart.

"You have to be soji to survive in Lagos."

Pronunciation:/oʊ soʊdʒiː/
Origin:A Yoruba phrase where 'soji' means to wake up or be revived.
Part of Speech:Adjective
Synonyms:Woke, Street-smart, Sharp, Aware
More Examples:
"That guy o soji well well."
Popularized by:A very common slang to describe someone who is sharp, trendy, and understands the current happenings.
18

A deliberate, humorous misspelling of 'violence'. It is used to describe intense drama, conflict, chaos, or a heated situation, especially on social media.

"The reunion show was pure vawulence from beginning to end."

Pronunciation:/ˈvaɪələns/
Origin:A creative respelling of 'violence' for humorous and emphatic effect.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Drama, Chaos, Conflict, Gbas Gbos
More Examples:
"I'm here for the vawulence in the comment section."
Popularized by:Popularized on Nigerian social media to describe a situation where more fuel is added to a fire, like a Twitter feud or a savage clapback. It refers to a chaotic, aggressive, but often non-physical, energy.
19

A phrase describing a person whose financial situation has significantly improved; their luck has changed, and they have become more affluent or successful.

"Since he got that contract, his pepper don red."

Pronunciation:/ˈpɛpər dɔːn rɛd/
Origin:A metaphorical phrase. 'Pepper' in Nigerian slang can refer to money. 'Red' signifies maturity or readiness, like a ripe pepper. So, 'pepper don red' means the money has 'matured' or come in.
Part of Speech:Sentence
Synonyms:He has made it, He has hammered
More Examples:
"Look at his new car, pepper don red for that guy."
Popularized by:A colorful expression used to describe newfound wealth or success.
20

A friendly and informal greeting, meaning 'I greet you' or 'I salute you'.

"Oga, I dey hail o!"

Pronunciation:/aɪ deɪ heɪl/
Origin:A Pidgin phrase where 'dey' is a present tense marker ('am') and 'hail' is from English. It literally translates to 'I am hailing/greeting you'.
Part of Speech:Greeting Phrase
Synonyms:I greet you, Greetings, Salute
More Examples:
"My guy, I dey hail."
Popularized by:A common, respectful, yet casual greeting used among peers and to show respect to seniors in informal settings.
21

The Yoruba phrase for 'Goodbye'.

"I'm leaving now, o daa bo."

Pronunciation:/oʊ daː boʊ/
Origin:Directly from the Yoruba language.
Part of Speech:Interjection
Synonyms:Goodbye
More Examples:
Popularized by:A standard farewell in Yoruba.
22

A slang term for expulsion, particularly from an institution.

"He was given a shugaba for cheating in the exam."

Pronunciation:/ʃuːˈɡɑːbə/
Origin:The origin is not specified, but it's used in informal contexts.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Expulsion
More Examples:
Popularized by:A niche slang, possibly used within student circles.
23

A term used to refer to a boss, a leader, or a powerful and influential person. It commands respect.

"When the Jagaban arrives, everyone listens."

Pronunciation:/dʒɑːɡəˈbæn/
Origin:A Yoruba chieftaincy title. Its use in slang was popularized by the artist Ycee's song 'Jagaban'. It is also a well-known moniker for politician Bola Tinubu.
Part of Speech:Noun
Synonyms:Boss, Leader, Oga, Big man
More Examples:
"He is the Jagaban of this area."
Popularized by:Widely used to hail or refer to a person with significant influence, power, or wealth.
24

Father, an older man, or a term of respect for men.

"Papa don come back."

Pronunciation:/pa.pa/
Origin:Universal term adopted into Nigerian languages.
Part of Speech:noun
Synonyms:father, daddy, dad
More Examples:
"Good evening papa."
"My papa work for bank."
Popularized by:Universal Nigerian usage.
Since:1900
25

A satirical slang term used to refer to the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.

"Since T-Pain enter, price of everything don go up."

Pronunciation:/tiː-peɪn/
Origin:A playful and satirical twist on the name of the American singer T-Pain, used as a coded reference to President Tinubu.
Part of Speech:Noun (Proper)
More Examples:
Popularized by:Emerged in 2024 as a way for Nigerians, particularly on social media, to humorously or critically comment on the President and the economic hardships perceived during his administration.
26

A Yoruba slang term for something that is fake, counterfeit, or not genuine.

"That designer bag is òfégè."

Pronunciation:/ɔːfeɪɡeɪ/
Origin:Directly from the Yoruba language.
Part of Speech:Adjective
Synonyms:Fake, Counterfeit
More Examples:
"He's an òfégè friend."
Popularized by:Used to describe fake products or people.
27

The Yoruba phrase for 'How much is this?'. It is essential for shopping and bargaining in markets.

"Eelo ni eleyi, madam?"

Pronunciation:/eɪloʊ ni ɛlɛji/
Origin:Directly from the Yoruba language.
Part of Speech:Interrogative Phrase
Synonyms:How much is this?
More Examples:
Popularized by:A crucial phrase for commerce and daily transactions in Yoruba-speaking regions.
28

A rhetorical question meaning 'Who is breathing?'. It is used to express that something is so remarkable, sensational, or overwhelming that it takes one's breath away. It's a way of showing off or calling attention to something amazing.

"I just bought a new mansion, who dey breeett?"

Pronunciation:/huː deɪ briːθ/
Origin:A Pidgin English phrase.
Part of Speech:Interrogative Phrase
Synonyms:E choke
More Examples:
"After that performance, who dey breeett?"
Popularized by:Invented and popularized by the artist Davido. It's a boastful exclamation used to highlight an achievement, a display of wealth, or anything sensational, implying that others should be too breathless to compete.
29

Engaging in internet fraud; a term for the activities of 'Yahoo boys'.

"He made his money from sháshé."

Pronunciation:/ʃɑːʃeɪ/
Origin:A Yoruba slang term for internet scamming.
Part of Speech:Noun/Verb
Synonyms:Yahoo Yahoo, 419
More Examples:
Popularized by:A specific term used within the context of cybercrime.
30

A Pidgin English pronoun for 'you all' (plural you). In some 2024 slang contexts, it is used sarcastically or to provoke someone, particularly on social media.

"Una go just dey talk rubbish."

Pronunciation:/ˈuːnə/
Origin:Derived from the Igbo word 'unu', meaning 'you' (plural). It is a standard part of Nigerian Pidgin.
Part of Speech:Pronoun
Synonyms:You all, You people
More Examples:
"I hope una know what you're doing."
Popularized by:While a standard Pidgin word, its use in a sarcastic or provocative manner gained popularity on platforms like Twitter (X) in 2024, showing how standard words can be repurposed in slang.
31

Fake, irrelevant, or nonsensical.

"Everything he said was just gbantueyo."

Pronunciation:/ɡbæntuːeɪjoʊ/
Origin:A Yoruba slang term.
Part of Speech:Adjective
Synonyms:Fake, Irrelevant, Nonsense
More Examples:
"That's a gbantueyo story."
Popularized by:Used to dismiss something as being worthless or fake.
32

To walk away, leave, or ignore something.

"When the trouble started, I just fáashì."

Pronunciation:/fɑːʃiː/
Origin:A Yoruba slang term, likely a corruption of the English word 'vanish' or related to the Pidgin 'fashi' (forget).
Part of Speech:Verb
Synonyms:Leave, Walk away, Ignore, Fashi
More Examples:
"Just fáashì the nonsense."
Popularized by:Used to mean 'leave the scene' or 'ignore'.

User Statistics

Total Lamba:32
Total Votes:805
Average Votes:25

Most Popular Lamba

E sure for you

An encouraging way to express confidence in someone's ability to succeed. It implies a strong belief...

53 votes