Dictionary
Search the full Nigerian Pidgin vocabulary — words, meanings & examples.
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Aboki
Friend / Northern Male
Derived from the Hausa language for 'friend'; often used to refer to a person from Northern Nigeria or a cobbler/money changer.
Example
Pidgin: Aboki
English: abeg shine my shoe.
Acada
Academic / Intellectual
Refers to university work or a studious person.
Example
Pidgin: That boy na serious acada.
English: That boy is a very serious student.
Agbada
Flowing Robe
A large traditional flowing robe worn by men.
Example
Pidgin: His agbada is dragging on the floor.
English: His flowing robe is dragging on the floor.
Agbalagba
Elder
An elderly or respected person.
Example
Pidgin: Respect agbalagba.
English: Respect the elders.
Agbaya
Useless Elder
An older person who behaves immaturely or shamelessly.
Example
Pidgin: You be proper agbaya.
English: You are a shameless old person.
Agbero
Thug / Tout
A member of a gang or a street tout (often at bus stops).
Example
Pidgin: Agbero full that motor park.
English: There are many touts at that motor park.
Agent
Middleman
A real estate or business agent.
Example
Pidgin: The agent collect my money.
English: The agent took my money.
Aje
I swear
Used to swear or emphasize truth (Yoruba).
Example
Pidgin: Aje
English: I no see am.
Ajebutter
Rich kid
Someone from a wealthy background; soft or spoiled.
Example
Pidgin: She be proper ajebutter
English: she never suffer before.
Ajepako
Street-smart / Tough
Someone who grew up in a rough environment; tough.
Example
Pidgin: You be Ajepako, comot for there.
English: Your are tough, leave here.
Akara
Bean cake
Fried bean cake snack.
Example
Pidgin: I buy akara and bread for breakfast.
English: I bought fried bean cake and bread for breakfast.
Akata
Foreigner
A Nigerian living abroad (often UK/USA) or a Black American.
Example
Pidgin: My brother don turn akata finish.
English: My brother has become fully westernized.
Alaye
Thug / Area boy
Literally "Owner of life" (Yoruba)
Example
Pidgin: used for street toughs.
English: Alaye
Alert
Bank Notification
Notification of money entering a bank account.
Example
Pidgin: I never see alert.
English: I haven't received the bank notification.
Am
Him / Her / It
Object pronoun for him
Example
Pidgin: her
English: or it.
Amala
Yam Flour
A dark swallow food made from yam flour.
Example
Pidgin: I chop amala with ewedu.
English: I ate yam flour with jute leaf soup.
Amebo
Gossip
Someone who likes to gossip or spread rumors.
Example
Pidgin: Stop to be amebo.
English: Stop being a gossip.
Anyhow
Carelessly / Disorderly
Doing something without care or standard.
Example
Pidgin: Why you dress anyhow like this?
English: Why are you dressed so carelessly?
Aproko
Gossip / Busybody
A person who interferes in others' business.
Example
Pidgin: That woman na serious aproko.
English: That woman is a serious busybody.
Area boy
Street thug
Young men who loiter in neighborhoods and cause trouble.
Example
Pidgin: Area boys dey disturb for market.
English: Street thugs are causing trouble in the market.
Arrangee
Fraud / Set-up
A situation that looks suspicious or planned.
Example
Pidgin: That business be like arrangee.
English: That business deal looks like a set-up.
Ashana
Prostitute
A derogatory term for a sex worker.
Example
Pidgin: He dey follow ashana waka.
English: He is walking with a prostitute.
Ashewo
Prostitute
A derogatory term for a sex worker or a promiscuous person.
Example
Pidgin: He dey follow ashewo waka.
English: He is walking with a prostitute.
Aso-ebi
Uniform Cloth
Matching fabric worn by family/friends at a party.
Example
Pidgin: The aso-ebi cost plenty money.
English: The party uniform is very expensive.
Asolo
Bicycle meat seller
Meat sold in a bucket/box by a person riding a bicycle.
Example
Pidgin: Asolo meat dey sweet distinctively.
English: Meat sold by the bicycle vendor has a distinct taste.
At all
Not at all
Used for emphasis at the end of a negative sentence.
Example
Pidgin: I no get money at all.
English: I do not have any money at all.
Attach
Join/Hitchhike
To join someone or a vehicle without paying full fare.
Example
Pidgin: Abeg make I attach for your car.
English: Please let me hitch a ride in your car.
Awa
Our
Possessive pronoun for "our".
Example
Pidgin: Na awa turn to chop.
English: It is our turn to eat.
Awada
Comedy/Joke
Something funny or a joke.
Example
Pidgin: Stop that awada.
English: Stop that joke.
Awoof
Freebie
Something obtained for free or very cheap.
Example
Pidgin: Nigerians too like awoof.
English: Nigerians love free things too much.