Word of the Day [27 Jan 2026]

Japa

Japa is a slang term derived from the Yoruba language. Japa simply means ‘to run swiftly’ out of a dangerous situation.

To 'Japa' means to abort, run, avoid, terminate, retreat or remove yourself from a situation, if used in a sentence.


I wan japa go South Africa next year.

Van toeka

A popular South African Slang term for 'a long time ago' or 'back in the day'


I know your dad from van toeka.

TUT

A University in Pretoria (Tshwane), South Africa. TUT is short for Tshwane University of Technology. It is known for being in the forefront of all violent strikes/protests in South Africa.


Did you see what TUT students were doing to the cops during the protest?


21:01

21:01 is a term that is used to refer to an after 9 - a secretly gay person.


I have so many stories about the 21:01 gang.

Mahala

A Zulu term that means for nothing. Free; obtained without payment or difficulty. It is however not only used by Zulu, it has been incorporated to modern South African lingo.


Buy 1 drink and get the second one mahala.


Gutamo

Gutamo means to help someone with something or help someone with something he/she needs.


Vane nkutemo se??

Qabula

Ukuqabula is an informal Xhosa term for taking out babalaas. Basically the act of drinking the morning after a heavy night of drinking.


I'm dying from babalaas now, ndifuna ukuqabula.


Ngimnandi

Refers to being good, okay or doing well/fine.


- How are you? Are you okay?
- Ngimnandi

Chakalaka

A spicy vegetable dish traditionally served as a sauce or relish with bread, pap, samp, stews or curries


A braai is not complete without chakalaka.


Guza

This means a girl or a pretty chick popularly used in zambia


look at that guza walking there

Moroccan Dirham

Currency of Morocco (MAD) issued by Bank Al-Maghrib. 1 Dirham = 100 centimes.


The dirham has been Morocco's currency since 1882.




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