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.

Iqaba is a Nguni term for a barbarian or a person believed to be uncivilised or uncultured.

Plural Amaqaba
Example

They used to call me iqaba because I come from the villages.

Mr Trends • 23 August 2021
A kasi term for a club or a party or a place where a party takes place
Example

Asambe siye enkwarini

Kelebogile dlamini • 09 August 2021
Is the slang term for Ga-Rankuwa, a township in Tshwane/Pitori.
Example

I'm coming from Rankuwa.

Mr Trends • 08 August 2021
Thuso Phala is a popular dance move that was first started by the South African soccer player named Thuso Phala.
Example

I'm learning the Thuso Phala dance.

Varsity Dude • 08 August 2021
Unozethe is what Xhosa people say to refer to someone who is extremely annoying.
Example

Yhu unezothe ke la bhuti.

That man is extremely annoying.

MXhosa • 05 August 2021
Fokkol is a popular South African term for Nothing, dololo, nix.
Example

I fear fokkol!!!

Varsity Dude • 04 August 2021

Tao

Tao is a slang term for a 'thousand' (money).
Example

My life would be better if I could get 5 tao right now.

Mr Trends • 04 August 2021
Msotra is the slang term for Soweto township.
Example

Ngise Msotra and I'm chillin' with the thugs

DRex • 04 August 2021
Idlala is a Kasi term for a house.
Example

I want to buy idlala before I turn 30.

Skhokho • 04 August 2021
Rekere is a Fool
Example

O nketsa rekere(You are making me a fool)

Dee 69 • 01 August 2021
A term we used to use back in the day to refer to the 50c coin. Ama2000 would not know it.
Example

No one:


5 year old me: Ndicela noba yi zuka to buy sweets.

MXhosa • 29 July 2021
It is not Xhosa but Zulu phrase meaning to disapprove an act. It goes together with phrases like, kahle no, musa bo, woza bo, mana no, etc
Example

Hhayi bo wnzani?

Thembelani Sithole • 27 July 2021

© 2020 Africtionary®