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.

South Africa

Dagga

Dagga is another term for marijuanna or weed.
Example

No one:

Parents: You are failing because of the dagga you are smoking.

Danny • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Chakalaka

A spicy vegetable dish traditionally served as a sauce or relish with bread, pap, samp, stews or curries
Example

A braai is not complete without chakalaka.

Danny • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Bunny Chow

Curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread, with the hollowed-out piece of bread placed on top.
Example

I am gonna have a bunny chow for lunch.

Danny • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Chow

A South African slang term for food / to eat.
Example

1. Food - They serve nice chow there.

2. Eat - Let's go chow before the dining hall closes.

Varsity Dude • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Bergie

A derogatory term, originally referred to homeless people who sheltered in the forests of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. It’s now a derogatory word for homeless people in general.
Example

He left home now he is a bergie.

Varsity Dude • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Atchar

A spicy relish of Indian origin, much like a mix between chutney and a pickle and usually made from green mangoes.
Example

I eat everything with atchar 🤞🏽

Varsity Dude • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Apartheid

Literally means “apartness” in Afrikaans, apartheid was the policy of racial segregation implemented by the South African National Party from 1948 to 1994, resulting in the oppression and labour exploitation of South Africa’s black majority, and their systematic exclusion from the country’s mainstream economic, educational and social life.
Example

The struggles of black people we see today is the legacy of the apartheid regime.

Varsity Dude • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Amasi

A Xhosa and Zulu term for thick curdled milk, also known as maas; similar to yoghurt. A traditional drink, amasi is now produced commercially.
Example

Xhosa people would choose amasi over meat.

Sinazo • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Ag

(exclamation) – Expression of frustration, outrage, impatience or resignation.
Example

Ag no! I spilled coffee on my keyboard again!

Sinazo • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Afrikaans

South African language, developed out of the Dutch spoken in the country since the first Dutch East India Company settlement in the Cape, established in 1652. Afrikaans was considered a dialect of Dutch – known as “Cape Dutch” – until recognised as a language in the late 19th century. From the Dutch for “African”.
Example

They forced us to do Afrikaans in high school.

Sinazo • 05 May 2021
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South Africa
isiXhosa

Umkhwetha

A young Xhosa man being initiated into manhood at initiation school.

Plural is abakhwetha.
Example

He is scarce on facebook because ngumkhwetha.

Sinazo • 05 May 2021
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South Africa

Iceboy

An iceboy / ice boy is a broke guy who drinks with guys who have money (usually guys he grew up with). They send him around to buy ice, open the beers for them and do all crazy things because he does not contribute financially.
Example

Don't be fooled by all that alcohol he is carrying, he is just an iceboy and not the moreki.

Varsity Dude • 05 May 2021
0 0

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