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.

A kasi term used to refer to food.
Example

I am starving, ke batla zozo.

I am starving, I want food.

DRex • 03 November 2022
Zama Zamas is a name given to illegal miners in South Africa. They find abandoned mines and start mining.
Example

Zama Zamas will stop at nothing to mine what they want.

CG • 03 November 2022
A figurative term used by South African students when they plan to create a WhatsApp group and share test questions.
Example

Ukhona umjondolo osuvuliwe bahlali? Phela ziyakhala k'sasa

José Sidney • 01 November 2022
Homie, Dear or Friend in a South African Xhosa language
Example

You don't have to worry mntase, all shall be well

Tumelo Thobejane • 30 October 2022
It is an intelligent person. E.g lenebari Victor is a brain box
Example

Lenebari Victor is a brain box

Brain box • 21 October 2022
Ikati is a Nguni name for a cat.
Example

Xhosa: Ndifuna ikati.

Zulu: Ngifuna ikati.

LinguistZA • 13 October 2022
Ikaka is a Xhosa term for shit or feces.
Example

Uthetha Ikaka.

You are talking shit.

MXhosa • 13 October 2022
Ithuvi is a Xhosa slang term for shit or kaka.
Example

Uthetha ithuvi.

You are talking shit.

MXhosa • 13 October 2022
Ingqithi is a Xhosa custom of amputating the joint of the little finger, or of the ring finger on babies and sometimes adults.
Example

My finger is like this because I have ingqithi.

MXhosa • 12 October 2022
Jollof boys is a name given to Nigerian men in South Africa.
Example

Who drives that Range Rover.

It's owned by this other Jollof boy who works in Hillbrow.

DRex • 28 September 2022
Jollofina is a name given to South African women who are dating Nigerian men.
Example

She has all this money because she's dating Jollof boys. She's a Jollofina.

DRex • 28 September 2022
Yihlo is a Xhosa term for father or dad. It can also used informally to refer to a male friend or male family member.
Example

Hlonipha uyihlo no nyoko.

Respect your dad and mom.

MXhosa • 26 September 2022

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