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.
This one can't talk to women, akere he has gwababa.
You also support Kaizer Chiefs? That's why you are so annoying.
Dude, where did you get the weed we had last night? It was the bomb.
- Yho mntase, you should have seen the way he looked at me.
- Never let men play you, mntase. Banyise bonke.
I know I'm a dick, akere I'm from Pitori.
No one:
Thabo: I only date Xhosa chicks even though I know they will suck me dry.
Variations: mgowo, gowa, gowisha, gowishing.
I'm so broke, ngumgowo nje wodwa mntase.
Financially, ndiyagowa.
1. I've been living on pap and atchaar because I'm financially deceased.
2. I can't pay you this week, I am financially deceased.
Banyana Banyana is the best women's soccer team in Africa, unlike Bafana Bafana.
Even Banyana Banyana can beat your beloved Bafana Bafana.
Tonight, we deserve to have braai and celebrate the great year we've had