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.

Is a hit song that makes everyone go crazy.
Example

zekethe... zekethe... zekethe

Danny 11 May 2021
Dololo means nothing, nix, fokkol!
Example

The way she likes talking but logic dololo.

Skhokho 11 May 2021
A Zulu pronunciation of "manager".
It can also mean you are standing with a dog.
Example

No one:
Zulu guy: My friend is now a menenja at Transnet.

DRex 10 May 2021
This means that the dyan has caught feelings.
Example

I can't believe icatchile idyan.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
A widely used slang term for saying someone has caught feelings.
Example

I can't believe icatchile idyan.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
Is a slang term for money.
Example

I need amachankura.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
A slang term for money.

Can also be called amachankura.
Example

I want to go out but the problem ke chankura.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
Is the person on the receiving end of the relationship with a blesser.
Example

His blessee is actually very cute.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
Mamazala is a term used to refer to mother-in-law.
Example

I'm so happy with my mamazala, unlike many people.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
Is a kasi term for a kiss.
Example

You can't even get a lamza from a random chick in the club anymore because of this covid.

Skhokho 10 May 2021
Is a Zulu and Xhosa swear word that loosely translates to male or female genitalia or cunt.
Example

Msunu kanyoko to whoever is disrespecting me.

Varsity Dude 10 May 2021
Is a South African term that means do what you must / do what you have to do.
Example

Guy 1: When are you paying me my money?

Guy 2: You know I don't have money.

Guy 1: If you don't give me my money now, I will moer you.

Guy 2: Dala what you must, chief.

Skhokho 10 May 2021

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