Ayisecace

A Xhosa term for "It's so obvious". It is mostly used when someone asks something that is very obvious.


Girl 1: I know it's lockdown, but are you really going to buy a Smirnoff 1818 for R500?

Girl 2: Ayisecace mntase



Braai

A widely used noun and verb for an outdoor ‘barbecue’ where meat is cooked over a fire or coal. A braai is a popular social event in South Africa and even has its own dedicated public holiday, known as National Braai Day, which coincides with Heritage Day celebrated annually on September 24.


Let's go buy some beer and some meat for tonight's braai.



Ngxe

Pardon me. Particularly in an official and formal setting e.g. in a meeting or when asking for forgiveness from the elderly.


"Ngxe, bantakwethu." - Pardon me, my kin.



Ethiopian Birr

Currency of Ethiopia (ETB) issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia. 1 Birr = 100 santim.


Features Amharic script and images of Ethiopian cultural heritage.



Chillax

A South African slang term to calm down or relax.


I will be chillaxing by the beach all day today.



Bundle of joy

A bundle of joy is a toddler or a small child.
The term was populirized on social media when mothers posted pictures of their children with the caption "My bundle of joy".


These bundle of joys should go back to school full time. There's no peace when they are around the house all day.



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.



Mnyamelis

South African Slime-Super-Slang for Meat. Derived from the Zulu word for meat being “inyama”. Popularized by the great DJ Dr Peppa.

*Note: Only used when speaking in English


Broer 1: So you left it on the grass next to the braai stand boyzen??

You: You know I can’t waste food so I had to eat the Mnyamelis



oTrap

Look up skrr skrr


These days they like dating oTrap.



Marete

A baSotho/Tswana term for Balls (As in testicles, not a soccer ball).


O boa marete saan




© 2020 Africtionary®