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.

Freaky Friday is a day that everyone is allowed to be as freaky as they want, from being a slut to being as creepy. it is celebrated every Friday with the hastag #FreakyFriday
Example

free pass to being Freaky

Onset • 18 September 2023
Family bars are what the skrr skrr generation calls clan names (izithakazelo).
Example

Man, I wish I knew how to recite my Family Bars.

Danny • 07 September 2023
The most useless president South Africa has ever had.
Example

Things are falling apart in Mzansi because of Cyril Ramaphosa.

CG • 05 August 2023
A plumber who is the current coach of Kaizer Chiefs.
Example

Don’t worry, Arthur Zwane is rebuilding.

MXhosa • 28 May 2023
The money given to a woman after spending the night with her.
Example

She left with a random guy yesterday guy and got mavuso in the morning.

Skhokho • 11 May 2023
Despite the recent false trends to redefine this prestigious Surname. The Mabena name comes from a long history, stemming from the early Zulu tribe. The people are know as gentle, smart and hardworking. Which comes from their long history where they fought hard to gain independence in a war torn era. They are generally based in the Southern part of Africa. However a significant portion can be found in Europe and North America. To try and define the name Mabena is false as it refers to a group of people as many surnames do. Instead a recognition of the prestige and long history of the name is what matters most. After all, the Mabena name is a noun and can or should not be used as an adjective or verb.
Example

The leader of the community was John Mabena.

Real_Truth • 26 April 2023
A person who is not scared of anything. Willing to risk it all, including career and own life for a man.
Example

I got myself igudumana, I’m sorted for life.

DRex • 13 April 2023
Fede may be used to say "alright" or "okay" and it is mainly used that way in the southern townships of Johannesburg and many parts of Gauteng.
Example

Fede, I'll sort it out.

MPUMELELO • 11 April 2023
Used in saying someone or something done is cool. It also depends on how you say what you are trying to say.
Example

O dese!- Your cool/ You are cool!

E dese!- Its cool!

PalesaπŸ’— • 24 March 2023
Slimes are die hard fans of A-Reece. He is known to have a cult-like following.
Example

Slimes will bite your head off if you say something negative about A-Reece

Siya • 24 February 2023
A skopari is a slang term for a loan shark. It is mostly used in the Gqeberha region.
Example

As soon as he gets paid, his money goes to iskopari.

MXhosa • 21 February 2023
Stufuza is a term for a chubby person.
Example

I like my man as a stufuza.

Sinazo • 18 January 2023

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