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.

Young and naive girls who apparently do not date broke men. They spend hours on Snapchat and Instagram showing off things they don't even own.
Example

Sandton slay queens are the worst, they will milk you dry then run way.

Chief 11 July 2020
Yizo Yizo was a popular South African TV show in the early 2000s which showed the violence, drugs abuse and hooliganism in schools. Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to watch it
Example

Did you see what Hazel did on Yizo Yizo last night?

Mr Trends 11 July 2020
A term your Skrr skrr kids use to refer to covid-19 (Coronavirus).
Example

Skrr skrr 1: Don't come too close to me without a mask, fam.
Skrr skrr 2: Why, you think I have The Rona?

Mr Trends 11 July 2020
Used as a racist remark towards black people who behave like Caucasians (White people). Derived from the coconut fruit - "brown on the outside, white on the inside".
Example

What were you expecting from this one? He is a coconut anyways.

Chief 11 July 2020
An Afrikaans word that has multiple meanings and which can be used in various contexts to describe many things from people to food to inanimate objects. It is used to convey the meaning of great, delicious, nice or fun. Make sure to roll the ‘r’ when pronouncing the word.
Example

That new movie is lekker!
That bunny chow was lekker!
I’m lekker, bru!

Chief 10 July 2020
To hit someone to a pulp.
Example

Don't try me, I will bliksem you.

Chief 10 July 2020
A colloquial term to greet someone, synonymous with "hello",”hi”, “hey”.
Example

Eita my brother, dintshang?

Mr Trends 10 July 2020
The biggest township in South Africa which is located in the Gauteng province.
Example

I am from the dusty streets of Soweto.

Mr Trends 10 July 2020
The South African national soccer team. The team that only qualifies by default (when they host).
Example

Bafana Bafana plays shit!

Mr Trends 10 July 2020
A privileged boy who has money and lives a flashy lifestyle.
Example

From the way he speaks, you can tell he's such a cheese boy.

DRex 10 July 2020
The South African National Anthem, written and performed by our very own, Mgarimbe.
Example

They all lost their minds when Sister Betina started playing.

DRex 10 July 2020
The mask wearing guy (Kwaito star), whom people say is DJ Sbu.
Example

They say Mzekezeke can be anyone.

DRex 10 July 2020

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