Tsotsi Taal

The term directly translate to "Criminal language". This is a vernacular derived from a variety of mixed languages, mainly spoken in the townships all over South Africa.

Each Kasi has its own tsotsi taal or its own way of speaking, meaning tsotsi taal from Soweto might differ from that of Pitori.

Example:

Teacher: You cannot speak that Tsotsi Taal in my class. Here we speak proper English.

Sinazo 20 July 2020

Tsotsi taal

Township meaning for slang whose direct translation means 'gangster language' 'taal' being the Afrikaans word for language. A huge contribution to this type of slang stem from South African prisons.
Example:

He came back from Pollsmoor speaking Tsotsi taal.

Tshidi (Not Matshidiso) 18 September 2025

Tsotsi

This is a general kasi term for a criminal.
Example:

He got mugged by some Tsotsi from town.

Sinazo 20 July 2020
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