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.

Yihlo is a Xhosa term for father or dad. It can also used informally to refer to a male friend or male family member.
Example

Hlonipha uyihlo no nyoko.

Respect your dad and mom.

MXhosa 26 September 2022
Umkhonto is a Nguni term or word for a spear (the weapon).
Example

Ndicela undinike umkhonto wam.

Can you please give me my spear.

MXhosa 16 September 2022

Nap

'N' a slight sleep or short sleep, especially during the day.
Example

I wanna take a nap in my room.

I thought he want to catch a nap.

EL Qowheeyy 13 September 2022
The name South Africans gave Queen Elizabeth when she died 😅
Example

Hitler is reportedly having a nice time with Lizbet in hell.

DRex 09 September 2022
Imoto is a Nguni term for a car.
Example

Xhosa: Ndiyayithanda imoto yam.

Zulu: Ngiyayithanda imoto yami.

LinguistZA 07 September 2022
Ukudla is the formal Zulu term for food.
Example

Ngifuna ukudla kwami.

I want my food.

LinguistZA 07 September 2022
Ukutya is the Xhosa formal term for food.
Example

Ndifuna ukutya kwam.

I want my food

LinguistZA 07 September 2022
Ipipi is a term in South Africa that means a penis.
Example

Unepipi enkulu.

He has a big penis.

Danny 06 September 2022
A translender is a person who is fat on the outside but slender on the inside. Basically a slender person stuck in a fat person's body.
Example

Don't be fooled by this mkhaba, I'm s translender.

Skhokho 05 September 2022
Maleven was a South African criminal who used to hijack cars and do house breakings around Benoni. He rose into fame after his interview with BBC. He is rumoured to have passed away.
Example

Maleven: I will show you with your last born if you don't want to give me money.

Skhokho 02 September 2022
The best soccer player South Africa has ever produced.
Example

Teko Modise played for Orlando Pirates.

DRex 01 September 2022
A verified viby person who is more likely to attend gatherings (Parties, groovy tarvens, pubs and clubs) etc. At "Nkamodira", "Motimalenyora Tavern", "Daboogies".
Example

Today's GROOVISTS are more focused

Lawd OG 13 August 2022

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