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.

A dalarist.
Example

In this economy you need someone that is Kido Lava, someone who has istapura, a dalarist.

busi 11 January 2023
A person with a heart made out of ice, with rotten intentions.
Example

Umfana doesn’t deserve anything in this world.

CG 09 January 2023
A Gun Dubula is a person in Kasi who carries a gun and shoots people (trigger happy).
Example

Do you remember that Gun Dubula who jumped the school fence and shot a rival gang member who was writing exams?

MXhosa 02 January 2023
Mamboyi is a colloquial term for alcoholic beverage, Old Buck.
Example

I only drink Mamboyi when I’m in the bundus.

MXhosa 30 December 2022

Ntu

Ntu means a human being and it emphasises that there is spirit of oneness and harmony among people and nature.
Example

Funda ukuphilisana na-ba-ntu

Mfanelo 29 December 2022
Istabane or isitabane is a derogatory term for a gay person.
Example

Dai man ke stabane.

That man is gay.

LinguistZA 14 December 2022
A derogatory Afrikaans slang term for a gay person. Similar to the word faggot in English.
Example

You don’t watch football? ⚽️ you might be a moffie

LinguistZA 14 December 2022
I’m Xhosa, isidovela is a meal where rice is cooked with potatoes in the same pot. You mix it until it kinda looks like pap. You also have to add Spice for rice or Rajah to make it yellow.
Example

Today I am cooking isidovela.

MXhosa 14 December 2022
Fanagalo or Fanakalo is an informal language mainly spoken in mines across South Africa. It is composed of frequently corrupted elements of the Nguni languages, English and Afrikaans.
Example

I knew they were Zama zamas because I heard them speaking Fanagalo.

Mazembe 07 December 2022
A SePitori word meaning "something"
Example

"Ako botse ane deng mfanaka"

"Let me tell you something buddy"

Godz 02 December 2022
A well shaped, clean and attractive girl
Example

I saw a speke

Godz 02 December 2022
Example

Mmata im broke

Godz 02 December 2022

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