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 term we used to use back in the day to refer to the 50c coin. Ama2000 would not know it.
Example

No one:


5 year old me: Ndicela noba yi zuka to buy sweets.

MXhosa 29 July 2021
This word comes from the Xhosa language, and is mostly used by the Xhosa speaking people."Ncmsl" Is a short word for "Ncamisile".It is means unbelievable.
Example

"Chomi uLisa undifuna back"

"Ncmsl"

yonelisa. 28 July 2021
It is not Xhosa but Zulu phrase meaning to disapprove an act. It goes together with phrases like, kahle no, musa bo, woza bo, mana no, etc
Example

Hhayi bo wnzani?

Thembelani Sithole 27 July 2021

Ow

Ow is a term Xhosa girls use to refer to a boyfriend.
Example

Ngeyam i-Ow, ndingalwa ndibebomvu.

MXhosa 26 July 2021
Mjondolo is another term for informal settlements (mkhukhu).
Example

There is an movement called Abahlali basemjondolo

DRex 23 July 2021
ibhantinti is another term for a prisoner.
Example

He got arrested last year, libhantinti ngoku.

MXhosa 22 July 2021
A name given to people of high status
Example

Mpesu

Antonio 22 July 2021
A Skelm is a South African term for a tsotsi, rascal, thief, crook, all the baf things.
Example

Get out of here, you skelm.

MXhosa 20 July 2021
In Xhosa, ityala can mean multiple things.

1. Ityala can mean debt.

2. Ityala can mean a case (court).

So it all depends on the context.
Example

1. Ityala lam lakwa FNB yi R20 000.

(My FNB debt is R20 000).

2. Ityala lam licinyiwe namhlanje.

(My case was dropped today).

MXhosa 15 July 2021
Ityhagi is a derogatory term used to refer to a boy. Like an uncircumcised boy.
Example

I will not take directions from ityhagi.

MXhosa 13 July 2021
Ihule is another Xhosa term for a whore or sfebe.
Plural: Amahule
Example

yhu lihule usisi wakho.

MXhosa 08 July 2021
Unozala is a Xhosa slang term that means mother.
Example

Ndikhumbula unozala now
I miss my mom.

MXhosa 08 July 2021

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