The Shangaan people are a Southern African Bantu ethnic group formed in the 19th century when Zulu warriors led by Soshangane conquered and assimilated indigenous Tsonga people. Primarily residing in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, they are renowned for a rich culture that blends Nguni traditions with Tsonga language (Xitsonga) and history.
Example

I am looking for my Shangaan family.

Chief • 23 July 2026
A term Xhosa people use to refer to those small cellphones with no internet. Those phones you just use for calls and sms. They call it lepopotane in SePitori.
Example

Yho mntase I saw his tilili hidden in the spare wheel of his car. Caba he didn't want me to see that he uses it for his hoes.

Mr Trends • 21 July 2020

A SePitori term for nyaope withdrawal symptoms.

Drugs/Nyaope cravings.
Example

Others are having alostro because of lockdown.

Sinazo • 05 March 2021
Buttocks, bums, irrespective of gender.
Example

Look at Layla's nyash.

Azzra • 21 May 2025

Umgxobhozo yindawo echifichifi ngenxa yodaka namanzi, emva kokuba kunethe imvula ngamandla.

In English umgxobhozo is a swamp.
Example

Ngenxa yokuqhuba amatakane, uyise kaThando uthe dyumpu emgxobhozweni.

Khingh • 21 September 2025
Jumpas means later on.
Example

I will see you jumpas.

DRex • 15 April 2021

A large working-class suburb in south-west Durban, created in the 1960s under apartheid as an Indian group area, the largest such township until the establishment of Phoenix in north Durban.
Example

Let's go see my bro in Chatsworth

Raj • 03 September 2026
A derogatory term, originally referred to homeless people who sheltered in the forests of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. It’s now a derogatory word for homeless people in general.
Example

He left home now he is a bergie.

Varsity Dude • 05 May 2021

To talk, chat, or tell a story; sometimes to lie.
Example

Stop to yarn dust, talk true.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Inkunkqa is a Xhosa term for that dirty white thing inside an uncircumcised penis.
Example

Go bath, ude wanayo ne nkunkqa.

MXhosa • 16 July 2026


© 2020 Africtionary®