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.

Sol Phenduka is a South African Podcaster, DJ and Radio personality who is the co-host of the popular podcast called Podcast and Chill, alongside MacG and Ghost Lady.
Example

I always listen to the Podcast and Chill for Sol Phenduka's puns.

Siya • 10 May 2024
MacG is a South African DJ and Podcaster who runs the biggest podcast in Africa called Podcast and Chill, alongside Sol Phenduka and a host whose name is not revealed (referred to as the "Ghost Lady").

He owns the YouTube channel, MacG that has over a million subscribers.
Example

Did you see who MacG was interviewing today?

Siya • 10 May 2024
Get a seamstress or a taylor to make you an outfit, because my relationship is getting serious and I may be getting married soon.
Example

Thungisani it's looks like things are looking good.

Ayanda Msibi • 15 January 2024
A trash can, dustbin
Example

Ndizalahla apa le ekumgqomo

ZuluSon • 16 October 2023
women crush Wednesday is a day dedicated to all the important women in our lives. it's is celebrated every Wednesday with the hastag #WomenCrushWednessday
Example

happy women crush Wednesday to all the women❀️

Onset • 18 September 2023
A South African slang term for someone with a big butt or nyash.
Example

I don't like squats cause I don' t wanna be a mapakisha.

Skhokho • 01 September 2023
Haganapayi or haganapie is a Xhosa slang word that means empty head or idiot.
Example

Don’t tell me about that haganapayi, azithi dadobawo pha.

MXhosa • 29 August 2023
Rabha (pronounced rubber) is a Xhosa slang term for a kiss.
Example

When she got here, ndiye ndamthi rabha.

When she got here, I gave her a kiss.

MXhosa • 29 August 2023
This is an Afrikaans swear term that directly translates to β€œyour mother’s vagina”. It’s similar to jou mase poes.
Example

Voetsek with your nonsense, Jou mase gat.

Danny • 25 August 2023
Thonqo is a Xhosa slang term for an idiot or a fool.
Example

Haisuka ngu thonqo lo

This is an idiot.

MXhosa • 27 July 2023
A South African slang term for money.
Example

I can’t wait to get amarherheba month end.

Danny • 24 July 2023
A term used in South Africa to refer to money. Madiba is Nelson Mandela's clan name and his face is on the South African bank notes, hence the term.
Example

I can’t come if there’s no Madibas.

Danny • 24 July 2023

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