Word of the Day [12 May 2026]

Shisa Nyama

Of Zulu origin, this directly translates to "burn meat". It is the Zulu equivalent to a braai. In most cases, it refers to a place that sells and "braais" meet.


Let's go braai some meat at that Shisa Nyama.

Ndambo

Ndambo (Noun): is dollars ($) inflow, giving massively and changing narratives.

Ndambolist (Noun): is a person who turns others into millionaires and changer of narratives.

Ndambolisation (Verb): the process of turning others into instant millionaires and giving massively.

Ndambology (Noun): the scientific study of Ndambo.

Ndambolize (Verb): the joy of being turned into an instant millionaire.


Ollus ndambolized his mother before marrying the woman of dreams

Askies

Askies is an Afrikaans term for Sorry. It is however used informally in almost all the South African languages for apologising.


I didn't see you there, askies for stepping on you.


KZN

KZN or KwaZulu Natal is a costal province in South Africa, known for its beaches and mountains. It is dominated by the Zulu tribe.


I need to visit KZN in December.

Pesa

In Swahili "Pesa" means money.


Jamaa ana pesa nyingi


Rha

Rha
Pronounced (ggggaaah); is a Khoikhoi word for “plenty” or “enough”. Used in Xhosa as a term for “That’s enough”often in anger and sometimes in disgust hence mistaken for “ew”.


In Khoikhoi: There is a river in the Eastern Cape called Birha. Bi is milk, and rha is plenty. Hence “a place of milk”. Another use is in the Xhosa chief Gambushe’s nickname: Rharhabe meaning “Minister of Plenty”.
In Xhosa it varies:
In a Dismissal Manner
Someone: I’m going to out race you.
Me: Rha! That would be the day.
To stop a child who is hitting another child a parent could say “Stop it. Rha! That’s enough”
In a Disgusting Manner
When a child see poop usually they used to say “Rha! Poo”
When people hear, smells, or see a disgusting thing they can say “Rha!”
In an Elated Manner
A person recounting an exciting moment of thriumph can say “Rha! I out did myself”
Feeling pretty? “Rha! I’m beautiful”

Hosh

"Hello"; also used before combat. Example in combat: Hosh, jy raak wys ("Hello, show me what you made of"). This gang-related word occurs inside as well as outside of prison: use at own discretion


Hosh nongoloza, come here.


Amasende

A Xhosa/Zulu term for Balls (As in testicles, not a soccer ball).
Also see marete.


Amasende akho ayanuka.

Sikiphiko

To ukusikiphiko is when you are in the front seat of a car and have your elbow outside of the window.


Did you see him in his friend's car, ebesikiphiko and pretending not to see us.


Seychelles

An Indian Ocean archipelago known for luxury tourism, beautiful beaches, and conservation efforts.


The Seychelles has the smallest population of any African sovereign country.

Brain Box

It is an intelligent person. E.g lenebari Victor is a brain box


Lenebari Victor is a brain box




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