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.

Inja is a Nguni term for a dog.
Example

Lo mjita yinja.
This guy is a dog.

LinguistZA • 26 June 2024
Mabopane is a residential township in South Africa. It is situated in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, to the north of Pretoria in Gauteng.
Example

I was visiting a friend in Mabopane.

Morena • 26 June 2024
Soshanguve is a township situated about 30 km north of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, just east of Mabopane. The name Soshanguve is an acronym for Sotho, Shangaan, Nguni and Venda, thus showing the multi-ethnic composition of the population.
Example

If you can make it in Soshanguve, you can make it anywhere.

Morena • 26 June 2024
Qonce is the Xhosa name for King Williams Town in Eastern Cape.
Example

Born and bred eQonce, chief.

AP • 22 June 2024
Izinyoka is a South African term that is used for Electricity cable thieves.



Izinyoka means snakes in Zulu (direct translation)
Example

We don't have electricity here because of izinyoka.

Masiya • 18 June 2024
The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest province, with desert landscapes, wildlife and gemstones.
Example

I have never been to the Northern Cape.

Maps • 14 June 2024
North West is an inland South African province that borders Botswana. Its landscape is defined by mountains in the northeast and bushveld scattered with trees and shrubs.
Example

I can't wait to go to North West and see Sun City.

Maps • 14 June 2024
Mpumalanga (Zulu name for "the place where the sun rises") is a province in eastern South Africa, bordering the nations of Swaziland and Mozambique.
Example

We should visit Mpumalanga.

Maps • 14 June 2024
KwaZulu-Natal or KZN is one of 9 South African provinces, located on the Eastern part of the country.
Example

KwaZulu-Natal niggas like to think they are the best.

Maps • 14 June 2024
The Western Cape is one of 9 South African provinces, with coasts bordering the Indian and Atlantic oceans. It's known for the port city of Cape Town, set beneath Table Mountain, part of a national park of the same name.
Example

I can't wait for the day I have enough money to visit Cape Town, in the Western Cape.

Maps • 14 June 2024
Bhisho is an unknown ghost town that happens to be the Capital of the Eastern Cape province for some reason.
Example

You would have to pay me to stay in Bhisho.

Maps • 14 June 2024
Eastern Cape (EC) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are East London and Gqeberha.
Example

Eastern Cape is the Woolworths of all the South African provinces.

Maps • 14 June 2024

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