Street
shikena
What does shikena mean?
Shikena is used to close out a statement or argument, the Nigerian Pidgin equivalent of 'period' or 'that's all there is to it.' It signals there's nothing more to add or debate.
"I said I'm not going, shikena!"
Origin
From Hausa 'shi kenan' ('that is it'); documented by Farooq Kperogi as now near-universal in Nigerian Pidgin English.
Frequently asked questions
What does shikena mean?
It means 'that's it' or 'that's final' — used to close a statement with no room for further argument.
Is shikena only used in northern Nigeria?
No, it's used across Nigeria in Pidgin English, having spread well beyond Hausa-speaking areas.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
