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.

South Africa

Motase

A very bad way of spelling mntase. It is mostly used by Sotho/Tswana people to mock Xhosa people on social media.
Example

Yho motase, I couldn't believe what I saw.

Skhokho • 28 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Samthandi

Derived from a Xhosa term "andisamthandi" which means I love him/her so much.
Context is very important when it comes to this word because it also means "I no longer love him/her".
Example

Girl: Is that your child there

Guy: Yes, that's my baby girl.

Girl: Yhu samthandi mntkbw

Sinazo • 27 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

CPUT

Cape Peninsula University of Technology also known as "Ingenile" it is high school that is based i Cape Town that accommodates amanxila, people who like alcohol and drunkards.
Example

CPUT learners 🗣: Ingenile "R1500"

After 3 days: Bank balance 0.00

Colani • 27 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
Sepitori

Batla u hurda

It is a basic Sotho term that means they will hurt you. It is also a warning to the guys that girls are animals it's better to be single and drink alcohol
Example

When you friends see that Amanda is going to play with your fellings, they simply use the term like

"🗣: Batla u hurda boy tlohella ngwanana enwa"

Colani • 27 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Net so

South African kasi term for "just like that" or "just the way it is".
Example

Thabo: You don't put salt when you cook pap?
Themba: Nah, I eat it net so.

Danny • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
Afrikaans

Dankie

Dankie is an Afrikaans term for "thank you". It is however used informally in almost all the South African languages for showing gratitude.
Example

Man 1: You left your phone in the bathroom, I left it at the reception.
Man 2: Dankie, chief.

Mr Trends • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
isiZulu

Sidl'ukotini

Directly translates to: We are eating cotton. This is a statement said when you feel that you've dressed to impress or you dress nicely in general.
Example

"Sidl'ukotini kwedini, cava le jean kwedini" - Rick Rick

Mbali • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
isiZulu

Kotini

Local term for cotton.
Example

Sidl'ukotini kwedini.

Mbali • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
Afrikaans

Jou ma se poes

An Afrikaans derogatory term that directly translates to "your mother's cunt".
See poes.
Example

Stop talking shit jou ma se poes

DRex • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
Afrikaans

Poes

An Afrikaans slang term for pussy or cunt. it is typically considered a foul word as it is often used to refer to or describe something with great disgust.
Example

Get out of here jou ma se poes

DRex • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa
Afrikaans

Lekker

South African slang word for "cool" or "nice"
Example

I just won a bet in Betway.

Lekker bru.

Danny • 26 April 2021
0 0
South Africa

Kiss Madolo

This is what educated people call "knock knees". When a person is standing and his/her knees (madolo) are touching (kissing).
It can also be called a kiss kiss.
Example

He can't run because he has kiss madolo.

Danny • 26 April 2021
0 0

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