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.

Jukulyn is a very dangerous area of Soshanguve, beginning at the north end of the Mabopane Highway. Ambulances, courier services, e-hailing taxis and even pizza deliveries are a no-go in Jukulyn.
Example

She wanted me to go pick her up kgante she stays in Jukulyn. I am not risking my life.

Morena • 24 May 2024
Mfanaka is a Sotho term that loosely translates to "my boy". It is used to mean my friend, my bro.
Example

Eita, dintshang mfanaka?

How's it going, my boy.

Morena • 24 May 2024
Nnyo is a Sotho term that means cunt or pussy.
Example

Ke nyaka nnyo today.

Morena • 22 May 2024
Skoli is a term mostly use in Cape Town that means a thief.
Example

You should be careful when walking here, there's a lot of skolis.

Yanga CPT • 17 May 2024
Khayelitsha is a township in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, on the Cape Flats. The name is Xhosa for New Home. It is reputed to be one of the largest and fastest-growing townships in South Africa.
Example

I was born and bred in Khayelitsha.

Yanga CPT • 17 May 2024

Hun

Hun is a South African slang term for a girl or chick.
Example

Khayelitsha huns will finish your money and leave you.

Yanga CPT • 17 May 2024
Baps is a South African slang term for sex.
Example

Okes will baps your hun without even thinking twice.

Yanga CPT • 17 May 2024
Show me your number is a popular soccer/football skill in South Africa, where the player pretends to shoot the ball and the defender ducks, hence showing his/her number to the attacker.
Example

They hit him with a β€œshow me your number” and the crowd went crazy.

Cody • 16 May 2024
Bhebha is a Zulu slang term that means to have sex.
Example

I know that guy, yho uyabhebha.

OD • 15 May 2024
Ghost Lady is the co-host of the popular South African Podcast called Podcast and Chill with MacG and Sol Phenduka. As the name suggests, she doesn't appear on camera and her real name is unknown, but she plays a major role in the running of the Podcast.
Example

I wish I could see Ghost Lady some day.

Siya • 10 May 2024
A chiller is the name given to a diehard fan of the popular South African podcast called Podcast and Chill with MacG.

Plural: Chillers
Example

I never miss an episode of Podcast and Chill because I'm a true Chiller.

Siya • 10 May 2024
Podcast and Chill with MacG is a podcast owned and hosted by South African YouTuber MacG alongside Sol Phenduka and Ghost Lady. It is the biggest podcast in Africa in terms of numbers and popularity.

The podcast invites celebrities and public figures to take part in the Q&A sessions on the podcast.
Example

I really enjoy watching the Podcast and Chill. You can call me a Chiller.

Siya • 10 May 2024

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