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.

In SePitori, Nkao Tempela means I can flex on you.

See: Tempela
Example

I’m beyond insane, nna Nkao Tempela (Yeah).

DRex • 21 November 2021
A useless person or thing. A breathing object
Example

He is not someone who can help you yis’ting- ting.



You can only rob a s’ting ting

Keith • 12 November 2021

Cav

Cav is a South African slang expression used to say "check it out" or "take a look" or even "understand".
Example

Did you cav that car?

Cav this girl.

Do you cav what I mean?

OD • 08 November 2021
A muscular, loving, over-protective man whom you never want to lose in your life whether as a friend or a partner... (smile keeper)
Example

I have encounter a man like braaipack

AishArn • 08 November 2021
plug is a word used by Xhosa people that means HIV & AIDS
Example

yho njayam lawei ine plug

Inam • 03 November 2021
Impandla is a Nguni term for bald hair (when men lose their hair).
Example

He's always wearing a cap because unempandla.

MXhosa • 11 October 2021
I'm not with it
Example

You want me to sacrifice my time for something that won't work out? Andizi shame

Manana • 09 October 2021
A liberator, Someone who gives freedom
Example

Uthixo nguMkhululi wethu

Mkhululi Maliza • 16 September 2021
A Xhosa word for dating
Example

Umjolo uzokulimaza mntase

Mkhululi Maliza • 16 September 2021
When you are finally in a serious relationship.
Example

Thungisani guys

Mellz Marz • 07 September 2021
A Skrr Skrr way of referring to a Sangoma.
Example

No one:



Skrr Skrr kid: I went to see a Bone Thug today cause y'all be trippin.

Chief • 25 August 2021
A soccer skill/move where a player puts the ball in between another player's legs.
Example

Did you see that shibobo from Messi?

DRex • 14 August 2021

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