South Africa Slang Dictionary

South African slang is a rich, multilingual mix that borrows freely from the country's eleven official languages - isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sesotho and more - plus street languages like tsotsitaal and Sepitori. It's the language of the townships, the taxi rank, kwaito and amapiano, and everyday Mzansi life from Joburg to Cape Town to Durban. Words like eish, howzit, lekker, sharp sharp and yebo are woven into how South Africans speak every day. Explore the community-built dictionary of South African slang below - and add the words you know.

The word 'robot' when used in the context of driving means Traffic light.
Example

"The robot is red..."

Itu 13 October 2024
A group of racist individuals that also have a love for mango flavored vapes.
Example

The niggasaures had a beat off last week.

Itu 13 October 2024
Naai means to fuck.
Example

Hy het die meisie se hart gesteel, maar sy het gesê sy wil nie met hom naai nie.

zedo 29 September 2024
Isibhamu somdoko is a recent viral term that means penis or dick. Isibhamu is gun and umdoko is porridge, so the whole term translates to porridge gun 🍆💦
Example

Ngimshaye ngesibhamu somdoko.

Mamba 27 September 2024
Grigamba is a derogatory term used in South Africa to refer to a foreigner.
Example

She really likes going out with ama grigamba.

Chief 18 September 2024
A broke person
Example

You are just "mmege" you have no single cent

Murendeni Lifeline 30 August 2024
Fong Kong is a term generally used in South Africa to refer to a fake item (it can be fake clothing, fake phone, anything fake).
Example

I won't buy from Sis Ntosh, she sells Fong Kong Air forces.

DRex 30 August 2024
a fairytale
Example

uthisha uzixoxele inganekwane

Nomzamo 03 August 2024
Where is your mother
Example

Where is your mother Eric ?



Uphi umamakho Eric ?

Avile Bantwini 24 July 2024
Go home!!
Example

Go home now it's getting late.



Goduka ngoku kuyarhatyela

Avile Bantwini 24 July 2024
Ihoki is a term used to refer to a shack.
Example

I need decoration ideas for ihoki yam.

Siya 23 July 2024
A person with a pure soul and a golden heart ❤️
Example

She went to umfana today, she is not coming back.

Siya 19 July 2024

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