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.

Gqirhy or gqwirhi is an informal Xhosa term used to refer to jealous or black magic tendencies.
Example

I bought this car last month and today someone stole it. Yhu ni gqwirhy kulendawo

Sinazo • 29 June 2021
Igqwirha is a Xhosa term for someone who practices witchcraft (a witch).
Example

Ligqwirha ke la sisi
That woman is a witch.

Sinazo • 29 June 2021
These are the guys who sell alcohol during the hard lockdown, when there is an alcohol ban. They inflate their prices like crazy. You can even get an 1818 bottle for R850.
They got the name because they don't care, it's either you buy at their 500% price or you leave it.
Example

I got this gin from my Take it or leave it guy.

Mr Trends • 28 June 2021
Pinkies is a Kasi term for R50 or ZAR50, that is 50 rands.
Example

Now that the Cupcake has closed alcohol again, I heard that a ngud of Zamalek is pinkies from my Take it or leave it.

Mr Trends • 28 June 2021
Zkhiphani or zikhiphani is a Mzansi slang term for "What's up", "what it do", "what's happening", and so on... You get the picture.
Example

Ola mjita, zkhiphani lapho.

Mbali • 28 June 2021

RSA

The Republic of South Africa
Example

I rep RSA till the day I die.

Mane • 27 June 2021
Jiva is a kasi term for dancing. It can also be spelt as Jaiva.
Example

Ey wena uyathanda uku jiva.

You like dancing

Danny • 26 June 2021
Gwala is a Nguni term for a coward.
Example

Ey that grootman ligwala.

Danny • 26 June 2021
Injibhabha is a Xhosa term that is mostly used by women to refer to loss of hair (in women) on the side of the hair. Or just woman becoming bald.
Example

Yho seyonjibhabha kusisi wakho

Sinazo • 25 June 2021
Umgosi in South Africa means gossip.
Example

No one:
Girls: I have so much mgosi for you my friend.

Marawa • 23 June 2021
Mzukwana is a Kasi term for the olden days / the good old days / back in the day.
Example

I woke up and listened to Kwaito ya mzukwana today.

Skhokho • 20 June 2021
An aura having a frame of mind that will last a lifetime, has epiphany
Example

Tell Dyco to come and do the greats he always does

Colani • 18 June 2021

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