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.

A Xhosa term for grootman or just a man nje.
Example

Ayicatchi idyan. A dyan doesn't catch feelings.

DRex 19 April 2021
A kasi term that is used to refer to an older man. It is borrowed from Afrikaans and has a direct translation of big man.
Example

Sure grootman, zkhiphani.

DRex 19 April 2021
An older woman who prefers to date younger boys and usually spends money on them.
A female version of a blesser
Example

I really need a new sugar mama who's gonna pay my rent.

Sinazo 19 April 2021
A person, usually a blesser or sugar mama who just swipes his/her card without any hesitation.
Example

We are out of beer... mswapheni

We are out of meat... mswapheni

DRex 19 April 2021
A Xhosa clan name that was made famous by former president Nelson Mandela.
Example

Madiba passed away in December 2013.

Sinazo 19 April 2021
South African Minister of Finance. His signature used to be in SA money hence his name is often referred to when skrr skrr gang is talking about money.
Example

Tito Mboweni, sha sha...

Sinazo 19 April 2021
A Xhosa/Zulu term for Balls (As in testicles, not a soccer ball).
Also see marete.
Example

Amasende akho ayanuka.

Danny 16 April 2021
A Xhosa greeting used to greet multiple people. You use molo to greet one person.
Example

Molweni bantu abadala.

Sinazo 18 April 2021
A Xhosa greeting used to greet one person. To greet multiple people, you say molweni.
Some people spell it as mholo.
Example

"Molo sisi, kunjani? Uphilile na? Bendicel'umzuzu wokuthetha nawe mna" - Mandisi Dyantyis

Sinazo 18 April 2021
A baSotho/Tswana term for Balls (As in testicles, not a soccer ball).
Example

O boa marete saan

Danny 16 April 2021
A baSotho/Tswana swear word that means your mother's cunt. In Xhosa it would be msunu kanyoko.
Example

"Utlwella Aka Thellwa, Nyamao" - 25k, Culture Vulture

Danny 16 April 2021
In South Africa, a born-free is anyone who was born after 27 April 1994 (Freedom day).
Example

You born-frees don't know anything about struggle.

Danny 16 April 2021

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