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.

Zkhiphani or zikhiphani is a Mzansi slang term for "What's up", "what it do", "what's happening", and so on... You get the picture.
Example

Ola mjita, zkhiphani lapho.

Mbali 28 June 2021

ZAR

The South African currency, also known as Rand or just an "R".
Example

I need ZAR 50 million right now.

Mane 27 June 2021
The South African currency, also called ZAR or just an "R".
Example

I need 50 million rands for all my problems.

Mane 27 June 2021

RSA

The Republic of South Africa
Example

I rep RSA till the day I die.

Mane 27 June 2021
Amakhosi is another name for the South African soccer team (Future African Champions) Kaizer Chiefs.
Example

Amakhosi are getting a star when they win the finals.

Danny 26 June 2021
To jaiva is to dance.
Example

I need to learn uku jaiva.

Danny 26 June 2021
Jiva is a kasi term for dancing. It can also be spelt as Jaiva.
Example

Ey wena uyathanda uku jiva.

You like dancing

Danny 26 June 2021
Gwala is a Nguni term for a coward.
Example

Ey that grootman ligwala.

Danny 26 June 2021
Injibhabha is a Xhosa term that is mostly used by women to refer to loss of hair (in women) on the side of the hair. Or just woman becoming bald.
Example

Yho seyonjibhabha kusisi wakho

Sinazo 25 June 2021
Ballie is a Term in Mzansi that refers to an old man or a father.
Example

I met this other ballie yesterday and he gave me some good dating advice.

Mane 25 June 2021
Umakhwapheni is a more formal term for a side chick or a nyatsi.
Example

His wife saw him at a restaurant with his makhwapheni.

Marawa 23 June 2021
Umgosi in South Africa means gossip.
Example

No one:


Girls: I have so much mgosi for you my friend.

Marawa 23 June 2021

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