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.

Iponi is a term they use in Gqeberha for a guy, a gent, a bro. Sort of Mjita.
Example

Yho I haven’t seen la poni in a while.

MXhosa • 08 March 2023
Benoni is a town in Ekurhuleni municipality, Gauteng, South Africa. It is notorious for hijacking.
Example

I am never going to Benoni again after what I saw today.

DRex • 06 March 2023

K1

K1 is the slang term for the township Katlehong, Johannesburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
Example

"I'm K1 'til they put my name on the tomb" - Kwesta on Mmino

DRex • 06 March 2023

012

The telephone code for Pitori. People from Pretoria usually use the code to identify themselves.
Example

I will represent 012 till I die!

DRex • 06 March 2023
Dispa is a Xhosa slang term that means to sleep.
Example

Sure boss, ndisayo dispa ngoku.

Sure boss, I am going to sleep now.

MXhosa • 02 March 2023
Sheleni is a slang term for R0.10 (ten cents).
Example

I'm so broke I don't even have isheleni under my name.

Siya • 28 February 2023
A domkop is a name given to someone who is an idiot.
Example

You can be a domkop sometimes πŸ€¦πŸ½β€β™‚οΈ

Siya • 22 February 2023
This is a Kasi term for a very attractive lady.
Example

Dai girl li shambula πŸ”₯

CG • 16 February 2023
A type of House Music that’s popular in Pitori.
Example

I will choose Barcadi over Amapiano any day.

Skhokho • 15 February 2023
A person that robs other people cash.
Example

I will never make an equal share i will tman or kingsley anyone because i have a family to feed.

busi • 11 January 2023
a person that wont let you rob or disrespect him.
Example

You better treat me with respect others i will show you my Ricks side.

busi • 11 January 2023
A dalarist.
Example

In this economy you need someone that is Kido Lava, someone who has istapura, a dalarist.

busi • 11 January 2023

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