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.

O jewa ke eng is a Sotho term that directly translates to "What is eating you" in English. This is a phrase that has become famous on Twitter after a user named @akreana tweeted it back in June 2019.
Example

Friend 1: Why are you so down, o jewa ke?

Friend 2: Eish my friend, my boyfriend has been cheating on me with that slut from Pitori.

Mr Trends 26 July 2020
Not to be confused with the clothing item. This is a SePitori term for R10 (Ten Rands). In other parts of South Africa, R10 is referred to as Tiger
Example

Ke shota ka jacket, ntjaka.

DRex 25 July 2020
This is a term that refers to the Somali or Pakistani shop owners in South Africa. This term started when these shop owners first arrived in South Africa and they referred to everyone as "My friend". The name was then subsequently given to them.
Example

1. Child: Hi, my friend. How much are your sweets?
My friend: It's 2 bob for one sweet, my friend.

2. No one:
Pakistani shop owner: My friend I am not your friend, my friend.

Chief 24 July 2020
Refers to the 50 cents coin.
Example

Kid: How much are these chips

My friend: They are 5 bob, my friend.

Chief 24 July 2020
2 bob refers to the 20 cent coin
Example

Uncle: My boy, go buy me some bread at the shop, I will give you 2 bob when you come back.

Chief 24 July 2020

6-9

A term that refers to the act of urinating or using the toilet.
Example

This beer is making me 6-9 every 15 minutes.

Chief 24 July 2020
General term used by people in politics (comrades) and Tenderpreneurs to refer to each other.
Example

No one:

Comrade: Why are you being emotional, chief? Politics are not for the weak.

DRex 24 July 2020
Refers to R100 (One hundred Rands. One Klipa would mean R100, 2 klipa - R200, etc.
Example

Guy 1: How much did you pay for a box of cigarettes during lockdown.

Guy 2: I got this 20s for 2 klipa.

Mr Trends 24 July 2020
Not to be confused with the animal... This refers to R10 (Ten Rands). One tiger would mean R10, Two tiger would mean R20, Five tiger - R50, etc. When you get to R100, it becomes a Klipa. R200 - Two klipa, etc.
Example

We only need 3 tiger to add to the money we have and get that case of beer.

Mr Trends 24 July 2020
Of Zulu origin, this directly translates to "burn meat". It is the Zulu equivalent to a braai. In most cases, it refers to a place that sells and "braais" meet.
Example

Let's go braai some meat at that Shisa Nyama.

Chief 23 July 2020
Short for Magezel'empompeni, is a derogatory name used to refer to a taxi driver. The word directly translates to "the one who baths from a tap". The name originates from that stereotype that taxi drivers have a long distance relationship with water.
Example

Abo mageza from Jozi are so rude and funny at the same time.

Chief 23 July 2020
This refers to President Cryil Ramaphosa. He was given this nickname after he announced R500 billion Covid-19 relief fund. He was throwing billions like he was throwing boxing punches.
Example

Don't worry, President Ramabillion has promised us a R350 covid grant.

DRex 23 July 2020

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