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 situation where you don't have money and you have no means of getting it.
Example

I'm so Meneer Magongwa these days.

Mbali 05 April 2021
Ayoba is a South African slang, which means something “cool”, “okay”, or “all right”. It was popular before the social media age but its use has declined.
Example

Girl 1: We should go to the mall tomorrow.

Girl 2: Ayoba

Mbali 04 April 2021
Celebrated every year on the 27th of March. The anniversary of the South African Covid-19 lockdown that was supposed to last only 21 days.
Example

Happy lockdowniversary to everyone who is celebrating.

Mbali 26 March 2021
When the stupid Ass-kom also known as Eskom decides to switch off our electricity that we pay for.
Example

You better charge your phone, Load shedding is starting again soon

Mr Trends 22 March 2021
Also known as Eskom - Those assholes who are supposed to be providing South Africa with consistent electricity supply but instead they bring us consistent Load Shedding.
Example

It's dark again. Blame ass-kom.

Mbali 19 March 2021
A buff guy / those big guys at the gym.
Example

He has become a sgora now, the gym is helping him.

Mbali 19 March 2021
Wendy Williams day is a holiday that is celebrated in South Africa every year on April 10th... This is of course according to Wendy Williams and whoever lied to her because there's no such.
Example

We are having a huge braai for Wendy Williams Day.

Mbali 18 March 2021
The down-payment paid by the groom to the family of the bride before they can get married. It can be in the form of money or livestock.

I believe they call it a dowry in other parts of the world.
Example

My family expects R200k lobola for you to marry me.

Mbali 18 March 2021
A shortened version of "Undincamisile", a Xhosa term to express shock. Undincamisile can also mean "you have kissed me, you kissed me, s/he kissed me", which is not related to the definition we are talking about here.
Example

Girl 1: She has already moved on.

Girl 2: For real? It's only been 2 weeks.

Girl 1: Dead serious.

Girl 2: Ncmsl

Sinazo 11 March 2021
Qlyv is a shortened version of "Ndiyaqala uyiva", a Xhosa term that means "it is my first time hearing about it".
Example

Girl 1: I hear you are dating Thabo.

Girl 2: Qlyv

Sinazo 11 March 2021
A SePitori term for nyaope withdrawal symptoms.

Drugs/Nyaope cravings.
Example

Others are having alostro because of lockdown.

Sinazo 05 March 2021
The Kasi term for a whore or hoe.
Example

This girl ke sfebe.

Mbali 05 March 2021

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