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
isiZulu

Masimba

Masimba mean SHIT in South African Zulu and Xhosa languages. I know in Zimbabwe (Shona) it means something different.
Example

Uthetha amasimba.

Translation: You are talking shit

Skhokho • 28 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Madumane

A very dope musician under Dj Maphorisa's label. He is Maphorisa's alter ego.
Example

Madumane ke star.

Skhokho • 28 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Motase

A very bad way of spelling mntase. It is mostly used by Sotho/Tswana people to mock Xhosa people on social media.
Example

Yho motase, I couldn't believe what I saw.

Skhokho • 28 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Sekisi

A very weird way of spelling Sex. These people do it on social media.
Example

I thought they broke up a long time ago only to find out they still have sekisi everyday.

Skhokho • 28 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Samthandi

Derived from a Xhosa term "andisamthandi" which means I love him/her so much.
Context is very important when it comes to this word because it also means "I no longer love him/her".
Example

Girl: Is that your child there

Guy: Yes, that's my baby girl.

Girl: Yhu samthandi mntkbw

Sinazo • 27 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

CPUT

Cape Peninsula University of Technology also known as "Ingenile" it is high school that is based i Cape Town that accommodates amanxila, people who like alcohol and drunkards.
Example

CPUT learners 🗣: Ingenile "R1500"

After 3 days: Bank balance 0.00

Colani • 27 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Batla u hurda

It is a basic Sotho term that means they will hurt you. It is also a warning to the guys that girls are animals it's better to be single and drink alcohol
Example

When you friends see that Amanda is going to play with your fellings, they simply use the term like

"🗣: Batla u hurda boy tlohella ngwanana enwa"

Colani • 27 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Underground gang

A skrr skrr way of referring to the ancestors.
Example

You fam, the underground gang won't be happy about that.

Mbali • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Net so

South African kasi term for "just like that" or "just the way it is".
Example

Thabo: You don't put salt when you cook pap?
Themba: Nah, I eat it net so.

Danny • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Dankie

Dankie is an Afrikaans term for "thank you". It is however used informally in almost all the South African languages for showing gratitude.
Example

Man 1: You left your phone in the bathroom, I left it at the reception.
Man 2: Dankie, chief.

Mr Trends • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Askies

Askies is an Afrikaans term for Sorry. It is however used informally in almost all the South African languages for apologising.
Example

I didn't see you there, askies for stepping on you.

Mr Trends • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Kwedini

A Xhosa term for small boy. It is generally used by older men when referring to a younger boy.
It can also be used to refer to an adult male but you need to make sure that you are not scared of that person you call kwedini.
Example

I will moer you, kwedini. Don't disrespect me like that.

Mbali • 26 April 2021
0 0

More than 1,400 words... defined by people like you and me!

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