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.

Ibhabhalaza is a Xhosa term for hangover or babalaas.
Example

We drank way too much yesterday, ndiyafa yi bhabhalaza.

Sinazo 10 July 2026
To vomit.
Example

I think I might chunder after eating this.

Skhokho 05 July 2026
Isloti is a Xhosa slang term for a drinking place (tavern or bar).
Example

Umama uvule isloti pha endlini.



My mom opened a tavern at home.

Xhosa Nostra 10 June 2026
Inqibho is a Xhosa slang term for a gun.
Example

Ungandideleli sani, ndiphethe inqibho.



Don’t disrespect me boy, I’m carrying a gun.

Xhosa Nostra 07 June 2026
when a good dancer knows when to leave the stage.
Example

"Chomi o mpethile ka hit/run and ke cachitse"

Bra frans 04 June 2026
is a word used as a form of being surprised nor reacting to shocking incidents.
Example

"Makhi o hlokofetsi, ijoh modimo mara!"

Pronunciation
by Bra frans
Bra frans 04 June 2026
is a pedi name that's usually uttered by stingy limpopian males when refusing to give huns the money.
Example

"Ke bea Bomma pele"

Pronunciation
by Bra frans
Bra frans 04 June 2026
Azanka is a sePitori term for “I have never”.
Example

Azanka ka bona ntho e so.



I have never seen something like this.

Joe 04 June 2026
Good kind Philosophy of the hosh slang in all different languages to tell each origin of place, when and why.
Example

You sound like a alhoshnability kind of a person

Dr Grey 03 April 2026
Dube is a historic, relatively affluent residential neighborhood in Soweto, Johannesburg, established in the 1950s for the Black middle class and named after educator John Langalibalele Dube.
Example

I was born and bred in Dube.

Maps 20 March 2026
It is a "Lobedu" word, regarded as a swear word and can be vulgar, which means 'Anus/Asshole".
Example

As it is vulgar and generally considered an insult,you don't randomly use it, however You can say "Toko yao" which means "Your asshole/anus".

Keletso 17 March 2026
It is a "Lobedu" word, It is used as a swear word and can be vulgar, which means 'Anus/Asshole"."Lobedu" A language widely known in Limpopo commonly known as "Khelobedu"
Example

You don't randomly say it, as it can be very vulgar, "Toko yao" which means "Your asshole".

Keletso 16 March 2026

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