Street
chai
What does chai mean?
A versatile exclamation reacting to surprising, upsetting, or dramatic news — used widely, especially in southeastern Nigeria.
"Chai! Dem don chop our money ooo, wetin we go do now?"
Origin
Documented as likely deriving from the Igbo exclamation "chei," per PeeGeen's Pidgin dictionary; naijalingo.com confirms the same core meaning of shock/disappointment/surprise.
Frequently asked questions
What does "chai" mean?
It's an all-purpose exclamation of shock, grief, surprise, or disappointment.
Where does the word come from?
It's believed to derive from the Igbo exclamation "chei," though it's now used nationwide.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
