This is a Xhosa figure of speech that describes hunger or poverty. It directly translate to "a cat is sleeping in the fire (cooking) place (or stove if you may say)". So the cat is sleeping where people are supposed to be cooking because there's no fire and no food to cook.
Example

Grandma had to send the kids back to their mothers because ikati ilele eziko.

MXhosa • 18 May 2021
An expression asking pardon before saying something rude or vulgar.
Example

Sɛbe, the thing smell bad.

Admin • 26 July 2026

Is a name given to a child or children born from South Africa Lady who date a Nigerian guy.
Example

How are your jollofites doing?

setwaba • 16 May 2024
To jaiva is to dance.
Example

I need to learn uku jaiva.

Danny • 26 June 2021

A loyal friend
Example

Si smeme sam ke esi

Qaqamba • 09 May 2024
University of South Africa - The biggest University in South Africa in terms of number of students. It is known for its distance learning programmes. Majority of students who go here are not at an actual campus. Covid found them ready.
Example

I have applied at UNISA, I want to study while chilling at home.

Varsity Dude • 30 April 2021

Fanagalo or Fanakalo is an informal language mainly spoken in mines across South Africa. It is composed of frequently corrupted elements of the Nguni languages, English and Afrikaans.
Example

I knew they were Zama zamas because I heard them speaking Fanagalo.

Mazembe • 07 December 2022
To be aware or in the know; "you get me?".
Example

Uko rada na story yenyewe?

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

Is a Zulu and Xhosa swear word that loosely translates to male or female genitalia or cunt.
Example

Msunu kanyoko to whoever is disrespecting me.

Varsity Dude • 10 May 2021
Ikrwala is a Xhosa term for a fresh out of initiation school man. You will see them with their formal clothes and the red thing on their face.
Example

I can't wait to see my younger brother as ikrwala.

Masi • 11 June 2025


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