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 kasi word that is used to refer to money.
Example

I just need some zaka to buy the braai meat and all will be well

Mr Trends 06 April 2021
A lunchbox; a portable, usually plastic, container for food, such as Tupperware.
Also occurs as skaftien, skhafthin
Example

Plase bring a skaftin, I want to put my leftovers.

Mr Trends 06 April 2021
Relaxing, socialising with friends over drinks and sometimes some braai meat at someone’s home, tavern, club or at a pub.
Example

I'm planning a chillas this coming weekend at my place.

Chief 06 April 2021
To beat someone to a pulp.


Can also be a swear word in Afrikaans
Example

I will moer you.


Come here, jou moer.

DRex 06 April 2021
A vulgar or explicit way to say butt or ass.

Do not say this to anyone or you will be moered.
Example

You are mad, mdidi wakho.

DRex 06 April 2021
This depends on the context. Jola can be someone's clan name if you are Xhosa.


It can also mean dating, see ukujola or mjolo.
Example

NdinguJola, Mphankomo...


Jola wena, you will see the consequenses.

Sinazo 06 April 2021
Is to date someone or being in a relationship.
Example

When did you start ukujola now?

Danny 06 April 2021
Mjolo basically means dating. It's derived from ukujola which means to date. Therefore mjolo is the act of dating (ukujola).


Other people may spell it as mojolo
Example

Mjolo will nyisa you.

Danny 06 April 2021
An expression of surprise or shock (basically means wow), mostly used by Xhosa speaking people. It can also be spelt as Hayibo.
Example

Haibo, is this really happening?

Mbali 06 April 2021
A guy who trended for what was apparently a staged video. He was asked for his number by a woman in a car and he kept saying "082". Twitter gave him the name Mr 082.
Example

Did you see the Mr 082 video?

Chief 05 April 2021
A popular Tswana/Sotho phrase on social media that means "I would scream". It's used as an expression when something shocking happens.
Example

Imagine if ISIS would come to South Africa. Yhuu nka screama gore.

Mbali 05 April 2021
Another term for ayoba, a catch phrase that was popular in the Blackberry and YoTv days.
Example

That's so ayoba.

Ayobaness.

Mbali 05 April 2021

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