Imama is a term that's been trending on social media that means a woman or a girlfriend.
Example

Imama must be beautiful unprovoked.

Skhokho 13 October 2022
To tease or make fun of
Example

Please don’t voke me.

James04 23 March 2025

Rha

Rha
Pronounced (ggggaaah); is a Khoikhoi word for β€œplenty” or β€œenough”. Used in Xhosa as a term for β€œThat’s enough”often in anger and sometimes in disgust hence mistaken for β€œew”.
Example

In Khoikhoi: There is a river in the Eastern Cape called Birha. Bi is milk, and rha is plenty. Hence β€œa place of milk”. Another use is in the Xhosa chief Gambushe’s nickname: Rharhabe meaning β€œMinister of Plenty”.

In Xhosa it varies:

In a Dismissal Manner

Someone: I’m going to out race you.
Me: Rha! That would be the day.

To stop a child who is hitting another child a parent could say β€œStop it. Rha! That’s enough”

In a Disgusting Manner

When a child see poop usually they used to say β€œRha! Poo”
When people hear, smells, or see a disgusting thing they can say β€œRha!”

In an Elated Manner

A person recounting an exciting moment of thriumph can say β€œRha! I out did myself”
Feeling pretty? β€œRha! I’m beautiful”

Sgasa 21 May 2025
Local term for cotton.
Example

Sidl'ukotini kwedini.

Mbali 26 April 2021

A term in Sepitori that refers to those small cellphones with no internet. Those phones you just use for calls and sms. Xhosa people call it tilili
Example

I use my lepopotane for my side chicks, and I make sure I hide it inside the spare wheel so that my main chick doesn't see it.

Mr Trends 21 July 2020
Umkhonto is a Nguni term or word for a spear (the weapon).
Example

Ndicela undinike umkhonto wam.

Can you please give me my spear.

MXhosa 16 September 2022

A cotton-sangoma is someone who is known for their fashion sense & their unique style.
Example

Indeed that lad is a cotton-sangoma

cotton_sangoma 05 September 2022
A skrr skrr way of referring to the ancestors.
Example

You fam, the underground gang won't be happy about that.

Mbali 26 April 2021

Ukutya is the Xhosa formal term for food.
Example

Ndifuna ukutya kwam.

I want my food

LinguistZA 07 September 2022
1. Refers to a stupid/childish person.
Example

"ejoh wena o slatsa!"

"bro you're stupid"

Tebogo 01 October 2022


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