Mahala

A Zulu term that means for nothing. Free; obtained without payment or difficulty. It is however not only used by Zulu, it has been incorporated to modern South African lingo.


Buy 1 drink and get the second one mahala.



Dokafleh

Used clothes; pre-owned clothing and shoes (from abroad)


Please buy me dokafleh sneaker



Zulu

Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in South Africa (about 24% of the population), and it is understood by over 50% of South African population.


Zulu guys will hurt you big time.



Indlala

Indlala is the formal Xhosa term for hunger or poverty.
Also see Ikati ilele eziko


Indlala inamanyala and it can make you do anything.



S’ting ting

A useless person or thing. A breathing object


He is not someone who can help you yis’ting- ting.

You can only rob a s’ting ting



Tikoloshe

In Zulu/Xhosa mythology, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe, Tokolotshe, De'Avion or Hili is a dwarf-like water sprite. It is considered a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by drinking water or swallowing a stone. Tokoloshes are called upon by malevolent people to cause trouble for others.


*My child misbehaves*
Me: If you don't behave, I will call the tikoloshe to beat you.



Jaga-jaga

Jaga-jaga is a Nigerian slang term that means disorganised or disorderly.


Oboy, that beb na jaga jaga gal.



shlama

meaning shit that comes out of your anus (ndunu)


have uyishlama wena.(you are shit)
siyaphuma ishlama lapho.(is the shit coming out there)



Mngqundu

This is an incorrect spelling of mnqundu.
It's so annoying to see so many people misspelling this word 🤦🏽‍♂️


No one:
Annoying person: I miss him but umngqund'wakhe.



Ntshebe

Intshebe is a Nguni term for beard.


Intshebe yam iyakhula.
My beard is growing.




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