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.

Add a South African word

South Africa

Igudumana

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

1 0 0

South Africa

Fede

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

1 0 0

South Africa

clever black

A sarcastic phrase used to describe a black person who thinks he is smart but whose actions perpetuate the oppression black people. Sometimes black thieving leaders and their supporters use it to try to embarrass black opponents.

Example

Example 1

Guy 1: What happened to that radical student leader, Tshepo?

Guy 2: He became a kleva black after getting a nice job in government.

Example 2

Thieving leader: We can't take this country forward because clever blacks are blocking our efforts.

Khisa • 10 April 2023

0 0 0

South Africa

Somizi

A revered gay celebrity (Somizi Mhlongo) in South Africa. The name has come to identify a gay person.

Example

Girl 1: Check out that fine guy in a blue shirt.

Girl 2: Don't even bother, he's a Somizi.

Khisa • 10 April 2023

0 0 0

South Africa

Wetin

What

Example

You never know wetin god has for you

Brian Leon • 08 April 2023

0 0 0

South Africa

Catcha

To catch feelings for someone. Catchile

Example

Ngizo catcha if this guy continues to be this good to me.

YoursTruly • 07 April 2023

0 0 0

South Africa

isiZulu

Stina

This is a slang word for R1000, that is 1 thousand South African rands.

The literal meaning of Stina is brick (in Zulu)

Example

I only need 2 stina then I’ll be fine.

DRex • 30 March 2023

0 0 0

South Africa

dese

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!

Palesa💗 • 24 March 2023

1 0 0

South Africa

Thiefnibu ( Bola Tinubu)

Is a drug Lord who arrested in America for dealing in hard who contested to be a Nigerian president and was rejected by the masses but he rigged his way to be declared the winner after paying the INEC chairman $177 million US dollars

Thiefnibu:means criminals / he’s a criminal who looted his lagos state funds for himself

Thiefnibu/ is a wanted criminals in America; he forged his identity

Thiefnibu;- Bola Tinubu is not his real name he stole a woman name

Example

Thiefnibu ;- is a name given to Tinubu who’s a drug from Nigerian who contested to become president

chibuzo • 22 March 2023

0 0 0

South Africa

Mnyamelis

South African Slime-Super-Slang for Meat. Derived from the Zulu word for meat being “inyama”. Popularized by the great DJ Dr Peppa.

*Note: Only used when speaking in English

Example

Broer 1: So you left it on the grass next to the braai stand boyzen??

You: You know I can’t waste food so I had to eat the Mnyamelis

Big Saint • 19 March 2023

0 0 0

South Africa