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
The skrr skrr way of saying clean.
Example

Just got a new haircut. I look tlean.

Zet • 21 May 2021

Another word for bro popularly used in zambia
Example

Exeh you good

That gee • 23 July 2023
A term used to describe someone regarded as a fool or someone who is very gullible or being conned
Example

My maga promise me hundred thousand Naira

Adeola • 11 July 2020

Friend or buddy.
Example

Him be my padi from school.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
eMonti is the Xhosa name for East London, a city on the southeastern coast of South Africa.
Example

Masambe siye eMonti.

Let's go to East London.

Maps • 14 June 2024

A term that is used to refer to light skinned people (mostly girls).

If you are a guy and someone calls you a yellow bone, then something is wrong my guy 😂
Example

We were just chilling and this yellow bone came in and everyone was looking at her. It was like a dream 😍

Skhokho • 29 April 2021
Mfethu is a Nguni term, short for mfowethu, meaning my brother. It is generally used to refer to a man, doesn’t have to be related to you.
Example

Dankie for featuring me, mfethu.

Pronunciation
by MXhosa
MXhosa • 24 July 2025

Rha

Rha
Pronounced (ggggaaah); is a Khoikhoi word for “plenty” or “enough”. Used in Xhosa as a term for “That’s enough”often in anger and sometimes in disgust hence mistaken for “ew”.
Example

In Khoikhoi: There is a river in the Eastern Cape called Birha. Bi is milk, and rha is plenty. Hence “a place of milk”. Another use is in the Xhosa chief Gambushe’s nickname: Rharhabe meaning “Minister 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 “Stop it. Rha! That’s enough”

In a Disgusting Manner

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

In an Elated Manner

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

Sgasa • 21 May 2025
Show me your number is a popular soccer/football skill in South Africa, where the player pretends to shoot the ball and the defender ducks, hence showing his/her number to the attacker.
Example

They hit him with a “show me your number” and the crowd went crazy.

Cody • 16 May 2024


© 2020 Africtionary®