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 party/celebration held after a funeral to celebrate the deceased person's life.
Example

Where are we having the After Tears?

Danny 15 April 2021
A skrr skrr way of referring to amapiano.
Example

Yo fam, I think I'm beginning to like the yanos.

Danny 15 April 2021
A popular type of House Music that has taken South African music scene by storm. It involves a lot of Piano playing, hence the name amapiano.
Example

Kabza De Small is the king of Amapiano.

Danny 15 April 2021
A racist slur used to refer to black people in South Africa. It is shortened from Kaffir.
Example

It is a crime to use the K-word in South Africa.

DRex 15 April 2021
A racial slur that was (and still) used by racist whites to refer to black people in South Africa.
Example

She got arrested for calling black protester kaffir.

DRex 15 April 2021
The nickname for township of Alexandra in Johannesburg., also known as Alex. It has been compared to the Gomora in the Bible.
Example

If you value your safety, don't drive in Gomora at night

Mr Trends 15 April 2021
Kasi term for cigarette.
Example

Buy me some nkawza.

skyf nkawza da.

Sinazo 15 April 2021
Skyf is the moment you pass the cigarette from the owner to the parasite.
Example

Please skyf nkawza

Sinazo 15 April 2021
Jumpas means later on.
Example

I will see you jumpas.

DRex 15 April 2021
In Sepitori, dese means good, beautiful... anything great. You may use it to say you are good at something or even use it to say you are beautiful.
The "O" in front stands for "You" or "You are".
Example

O dese girl, ebele o lepyatla

Mr Trends 15 April 2021
In Sepitori, dese means good, beautiful... anything great. You may use it to say you are good at something or even use it to say you are beautiful.
The "Ke" in front stands for "I" or "I am"
Example

Ke dese ka diski unlike Bafana Bafana players.

Mr Trends 15 April 2021
A Sepitori term for good, beautiful... anything great. You may use it to say you are good at something or even use it to say you are beautiful.
Example

Ke dese ka diski unlike Bafana Bafana players.

Mr Trends 15 April 2021

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