Swi

Swi is a Zimbabwean slang term for Alright/Fine.


The poem you wrote ibinguswi



Mntase

Short for mntasekhaya. A Xhosa term of endearment for family i.e siblings, cousins or even a dear friend.


- Yho mntase, you should have seen the way he looked at me.

- Never let men play you, mntase. Banyise bonke.



Intsomi

Intsomi is a Xhosa term for a tale. Those stories our grandparents used to tell us when we were young.


Hayi yintsomi, Hayi yi film.



Mbhaqanga

Mbhaqanga is the Xhosa version of Maskandi music.


My dad is always listening to Mbhaqanga.



Hhayi bo (haibo)

It is not Xhosa but Zulu phrase meaning to disapprove an act. It goes together with phrases like, kahle no, musa bo, woza bo, mana no, etc


Hhayi bo wnzani?



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.



Kganthe why?

It's a combination of two words, Sepedi and English, by Mogau Samson Leagathoko Malepe asking someone to rephrase their statement, or tell, "I don't vibe with you" or "I don't follow".


"Bra, I've been looking for you all-over, where did you dissappear to?"
MSL Malepe: "Kganthe why?(with an annoyed lookalike face)"



Mombasa

Historic coastal city with Swahili culture and East Africa's largest port.


Mombasa's Old Town features ornate Arab-style doors and architecture.



Ajebutter

Ajebutter is a term that refers to someone born with a silver spoon or born rich.


That guy is an ajebutter.



Skopas

Term mostly used in the Northern parts of the country to refer to sweet flavoured and coloured popcorns.
Some parts of the country call them amaKip-kip


I bought my nephews some skopas from the Spaza shop.




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