Street
na wa
What does na wa mean?
Used to express shock, surprise, or mild exasperation at a situation, similar to "wow" or "unbelievable."
"Another blackout again? Na wa o!"
Origin
Compositional Pidgin exclamation; documented on naijalingo.com and buzznigeria's Pidgin phrase list, no further etymology stated.
Frequently asked questions
What does "na wa" mean?
It's an exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or exasperation, similar to "wow" or "unbelievable."
Can it be positive or negative?
Both — it can express amazement at good news or frustration at bad news, depending on tone.
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