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.

Add a South African word

South Africa

Alert Level 2

The following changes will take effect under level 2:

All restrictions on inter-provincial travel will be lifted.

Accommodation, hospitality venues and tours will be permitted according to approved protocols to ensure social distancing.

Restaurants, bars and taverns will be permitted to operate according to approved protocols as to times of operation and numbers of people.

Restrictions on the sale of tobacco will be lifted.

The suspension of the sale of alcohol will be lifted subject to certain restrictions.

Alcohol will be permitted for on-site consumption in licensed establishments only up until 10pm.

Liquor outlets will be allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday during the hours of 9am to 5pm only.

Restrictions on family and social visits will also be lifted, although everyone is urged to exercise extreme caution and undertake such visits only if necessary.

The following restricti

Example

We are moving to Alert Level 2 on Monday midnight.

Chief • 15 August 2020

0 0 0

South Africa

isiXhosa

Uyanya

A Xhosa term for 'You are shitting'. It can also mean 'she or he is taking a shit', depending on the context.

Example

Man 1: Where is he?
Man 2: Uyanya (He is taking a shit)

Woman 1: I will beat you!
Woman 2: Uyanya (You are shitting)

Mbali • 09 August 2020

1 0 0

South Africa

isiXhosa

Ninganya

A Xhosa term that directly translates to "y'all would shit".

Example

No one:

Black Coffee: Ninganya

Mbali • 09 August 2020

1 0 0

South Africa

Ninganya

This is a swear word you use when people make fun of your disability, accident, family and kids... and people ask you to apologise for asking a simple question.

Example

I will not apologize for speaking the truth. Ningaya!!!

Chief • 07 August 2020

1 0 0

South Africa

Yeses

To show anger or disbelief.

Example

Yeses maan, I am angry. How can this boy do this to me mara.

DRex • 06 August 2020

2 0 0

South Africa

o ska bora moreki

Do not bore/annoy the person who is buying.

Example

Can't you see he is getting tired of your bullshit? Please O ska bora moreki.

DRex • 06 August 2020

0 0 0

South Africa

A loota continua

The looting continues.
This is a term that was first used in the 2020 covid-19 lootings that were happening in South Africa.

Example

Covidpreneur 1: Which car are you buying with that Covid-19 money that's supposed to help your community?

Covidpreneur 2: Getting myself a G Class.

Covidpreneur 1: A loota continua

Chief • 05 August 2020

0 0 0

South Africa

Ben 10

Ben 10 is the term used to describe young males who like dating older women. In most cases, these women give these young males money on top of all the sex.

Example

Did you hear that she got herself a Ben 10?

Chief • 01 August 2020

2 0 0

South Africa

4-5

A South African slang term for penis

Example

He pulled out his 4-5 out of the blue.

Chief • 01 August 2020

1 0 0

South Africa

A Reece

The king of South African rap, if not African rap. If you disagree with me, go argue with your ancestors. He hails from the great city of Pitori. He has the hip hop industry on his back like he is Quasimodo.

Example

A Reece is the greatest rapper alive. He is the G.O.A.T!

DRex • 30 July 2020

1 0 0

South Africa

Covidpreneur

Covidpreneurs are those dodgy tenderpreneurs who loot the government money intended for Covid-19 tenders. They register dodgy businesses and win tenders but they either not deliver at all or they deliver below par results.

Example

Deals that are believed to be worth more than R2.2bn, involving emergency purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being said to be chowed by Covidpreneurs.

Sinazo • 26 July 2020

3 0 0

South Africa