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.
I'm learning the Thuso Phala dance.
Girls will mize you when you are broke!
I know your dad from van toeka.
My life would be better if I could get 5 tao right now.
Used to signify fun or excitement.
Yebo, ziyaporoma
Tshela u-barman nomayini