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 this economy you need someone that is Kido Lava, someone who has istapura, a dalarist.
Umfana doesn’t deserve anything in this world.
Do you remember that Gun Dubula who jumped the school fence and shot a rival gang member who was writing exams?
I only drink Mamboyi when I’m in the bundus.
Funda ukuphilisana na-ba-ntu
Dai man ke stabane.
That man is gay.
You don’t watch football? ⚽️ you might be a moffie
I knew they were Zama zamas because I heard them speaking Fanagalo.