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 social media term that means they will hurt you.
Example

You think he loves you... Batlao hurda mntase.

Skhokho • 11 May 2021
Is a hit song that makes everyone go crazy.
Example

zekethe... zekethe... zekethe

Danny • 11 May 2021
Dololo means nothing, nix, fokkol!
Example

The way she likes talking but logic dololo.

Skhokho • 11 May 2021
A Zulu pronunciation of "manager".
It can also mean you are standing with a dog.
Example

No one:
Zulu guy: My friend is now a menenja at Transnet.

DRex • 10 May 2021
A widely used slang term for saying someone has caught feelings.
Example

I can't believe icatchile idyan.

Sinazo • 10 May 2021
Is a slang term for money.
Example

I need amachankura.

Sinazo • 10 May 2021
A slang term for money.

Can also be called amachankura.
Example

I want to go out but the problem ke chankura.

Sinazo • 10 May 2021
Is a kasi term for a kiss.
Example

You can't even get a lamza from a random chick in the club anymore because of this covid.

Skhokho • 10 May 2021
Is a South African term that means do what you must / do what you have to do.
Example

Guy 1: When are you paying me my money?

Guy 2: You know I don't have money.

Guy 1: If you don't give me my money now, I will moer you.

Guy 2: Dala what you must, chief.

Skhokho • 10 May 2021
Taima is a slang term for dad or father.
Example

I will be chilling with taima tomorrow.

Skhokho • 09 May 2021
Amabutho are Zulu regiments (military units / warriors). During wars, amabutho used to be the first line of defence to protect the land, women and children from invaders.
Singular: Ibutho
Example

The Zulu King was protected by Amabutho.

DRex • 08 May 2021
The colloquial term used by us South Africans to refer to our country. It is the Zulu word for the "South" part in South Africa. The full word is Mzansi Africa.
Example

People of Mzansi will support their own.

Sinazo • 08 May 2021

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