Also known as phara-phara. A term that refers to a drug addict who often terrorizes the community through criminal activities. The term is mostly used in Xhosa and Zulu speaking communities. In Gauteng, this person would be called a Nyaope Boy.
Example

There was nothing he could do, ela phara had a huge knife so he just gave away the phone.

Chief • 22 July 2020
Sibeko is a term that has been used to refer to a drunkard. This is due to a character from the famous South African sitcom, Emzini wezinsizwa, who was always drunk.

Now Sibeko is synonymous for drunkard.
Example

Why did you give him money, don't you know he's a Sibeko?

MXhosa • 17 October 2021

Coloured, formerly Cape Coloured, a person of mixed European (“white”) and African (“black”) or Asian ancestry, as officially defined by the South African government from 1950 to 1991.
Example

Coloureds are mostly found in Cape Town but can be found all over South Africa.

LinguistZA • 03 November 2022
A term generally used as an informal greeting around Gauteng. Chances are no one will know how to reply to you if you use this term anywhere other than Gauteng.
Example

Sharp fede majita, dintshang da?

Sinazo • 20 July 2020

Ukutya is the Xhosa formal term for food.
Example

Ndifuna ukutya kwam.

I want my food

LinguistZA • 07 September 2022
Persistent power outages / load-shedding. From Twi "dum" (off) and "sor" (on).
Example

Dumsor spoil my whole evening.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

Slang word for "how is it". It comes from the Afrikaans term "Hoe is dit" and people just decided to change the spelling.
Example

Man 1: Eita da, hoezit?

Man 2: Sharp hoezit da?

Man 1: Fede nja yami.

Sinazo • 20 July 2020
Isibhamu somdoko is a recent viral term that means penis or dick. Isibhamu is gun and umdoko is porridge, so the whole term translates to porridge gun 🍆💦
Example

Ngimshaye ngesibhamu somdoko.

Mamba • 27 September 2024

South African potato-like tuber (Colocasia esculenta and Colocasia antiquorum), cultivated mostly in KwaZulu-Natal, greyish in colour and rather tasty. From the isiZulu amadumbe .
Example

When I go to KZN, I have to get myself amadumbe.

DRex • 05 May 2021
A term that is used to refer to a very old car.
Example

Push iskorokoro.

Skhokho • 01 May 2021


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