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.
Why are you wearing amazaza at night?
/ɪmˈpɛsu/
My friend uses mpesu
Ebetula-tula yonke indzawo.
He was wandering all over the place
Ingathi ikhona igurans between lamajita.
It looks like there is some war/conflict between those guys.
High school kids typically go on a drinking spree (underage drinking).
I can't wait for the exams to finish so that sizokuhlamba iphepha.
People use condoms as a way of protection.
When someone arms are Crossed , with shoulders pulled together and hands that rub over the arms or sides (a self-soothing motion). Slower movements than usual. Half-formed movements, as if the character doesn't have the energy for more. You can then refer that person as Mandla Ncikazi
uma nilahla uDSD nina nizoshonaphi
Bathong...he really ate all those chilli's
I just learned to speak afrikaans.
Friend: The petrol prices went up again.
Me: Sisekakeni