Word of the Day — 13 Oct 2026

Ethiopia

Gondar

Former imperial capital with medieval castles and churches.

Example

Gondar's Fasil Ghebbi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel Admin • 23 June 2025

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Hausa

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Think you know your African slang? Today's teaser: What does "Shangaan" mean?

ZA South Africa 1,066 words NG Nigeria 119 words KE Kenya 49 words GH Ghana 44 words ZW Zimbabwe 25 words ZM Zambia 20 words LR Liberia 20 words All countries

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South Africa

isiXhosa

Ityala

In Xhosa, ityala can mean multiple things.

1. Ityala can mean debt.

2. Ityala can mean a case (court).

So it all depends on the context.

Example

1. Ityala lam lakwa FNB yi R20 000.

(My FNB debt is R20 000).

2. Ityala lam licinyiwe namhlanje.

(My case was dropped today).

MXhosa • 15 July 2021

South Africa

Braai Master

The person who is making sure that the braai meat is properly done and everything goes well during a braai.

Example

The braai master for today's braai was Thabo hence the meat is not nice.

Skhokho • 30 April 2021

South Africa

Inganekwane

A fictitious story or a tale. Like those tales you'd hear about from parents/teachers/friends or read when you were younger.

Example

"A man and his daughter were walking in the forest..."
Welele... inganekwane!

DRex • 10 August 2022

South Africa

isiXhosa

Umgidi

In Xhosa culture, umgidi is the ceremony that's done to celebrate a boy or boys (mkhwetha) coming back from the mountain (initiation school).

Example

I can't wait to attend umgidi ka Boy

MXhosa • 23 October 2021

South Africa

Stocko

Used to define a beautiful girl with nyash,like your imaginary hun

Example

That hun is a stocko

Clownese • 20 November 2022

South Africa

Amapiano Colonisers

This is a name given to Nigerians after they tried stealing amapiano from South Africans.

Example

Amapiano colonisers are all over Sunnyside and Hillbrow.

Danny • 24 July 2023

South Africa

Dhloogle

Dhloogle is a term used on X, formerly Twitter to refer to Sizwe Dhlomo’s tendency of “knowing” everything under the sun. You can ask him anything and he will have an answer. No articles, no references, just him being sure about everything.

Example

Guy 1: I just heard that in 1994, ANC won the elections but Nelson Mandela made the call to give it to the IFP for stability.

Guy 2: where did you hear that?

Guy 1: From Dhloogle.

OD • 31 May 2024

Rwanda

Rwandan Franc

Currency of Rwanda (RWF) issued by the National Bank of Rwanda.

Example

The franc replaced the Rwandan franc in 1964 after independence.

Travel Admin • 21 July 2025

South Africa

isiXhosa

Ncmsl

A shortened version of "Undincamisile", a Xhosa term to express shock. Undincamisile can also mean "you have kissed me, you kissed me, s/he kissed me", which is not related to the definition we are talking about here.

Example

Girl 1: She has already moved on.

Girl 2: For real? It's only been 2 weeks.

Girl 1: Dead serious.

Girl 2: Ncmsl

Sinazo • 11 March 2021

South Africa

isiXhosa

Umgowo

A Xhosa term used to tell someone that you are going through the most.

Variations: mgowo, gowa, gowisha, gowishing.

Example

I'm so broke, ngumgowo nje wodwa mntase.

Financially, ndiyagowa.

DRex • 18 July 2020

Random words for you this Tuesday!

Cat Matlala

Ityala

Durban poison

Kanjo

Ede eki

Thesha

Nnyo

SeSotho

Mbususu

Amebo

Lesotho

Boksburg

Lawu

Nton nton

Gqwirhy

More than 1,500 words... defined by people like you and me!

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