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.

Ow

Ow is a term Xhosa girls use to refer to a boyfriend.
Example

Ngeyam i-Ow, ndingalwa ndibebomvu.

MXhosa • 26 July 2021
Mjondolo is another term for informal settlements (mkhukhu).
Example

There is an movement called Abahlali basemjondolo

DRex • 23 July 2021
ibhantinti is another term for a prisoner.
Example

He got arrested last year, libhantinti ngoku.

MXhosa • 22 July 2021
A name given to people of high status
Example

Mpesu

Antonio • 22 July 2021
A Skelm is a South African term for a tsotsi, rascal, thief, crook, all the baf things.
Example

Get out of here, you skelm.

MXhosa • 20 July 2021
Ityhagi is a derogatory term used to refer to a boy. Like an uncircumcised boy.
Example

I will not take directions from ityhagi.

MXhosa • 13 July 2021
Ihule is another Xhosa term for a whore or sfebe.
Plural: Amahule
Example

yhu lihule usisi wakho.

MXhosa • 08 July 2021
Unozala is a Xhosa slang term that means mother.
Example

Ndikhumbula unozala now
I miss my mom.

MXhosa • 08 July 2021
Word referring to money.
Example

Where is my nyuku?

Mntungwa • 05 July 2021
The word referring to a "Place", could be a Home, special venue or any place.
Example

We will meet at my Pozi..We will meet at my house.

Mntungwa • 05 July 2021
MKMVA is the abbreviation for uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association.
Example

MKMVA is protecting Jacob Zuma's house in Nkandla

Varsity Dude • 02 July 2021
Isishumane or sishimane is a South African term used to refer to a single person who is not single by choice. It is mostly used in a mocking manner.
Example

Aisuka, that one sisishumane esikhulu.

Sinazo • 30 June 2021

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