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

Ubuntu

A quality that includes the essential human virtues; compassion and humanity.

Example

"there is a need for understanding not vengeance, ubuntu not victimization"

Chief • 11 July 2020

0 0 0

South Africa

Slay queen

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

0 0 0

South Africa

Yizo Yizo

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

0 0 0

South Africa

The Rona

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

0 0 0

South Africa

Soweto

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

0 0 0

South Africa

Okapi

NEW

Okapi is a term used to describe a pocket knife. It was derived from a famous South African knife brand by the name Okapi.

Example

In South Africa, if you don't have a gun, at least have an Okapi.

MzansiEdits • 02 August 2026

0 1 0

South Africa

Chillax

A South African slang term to calm down or relax.

Example

I will be chillaxing by the beach all day today.

Siya • 10 August 2025

0 1 0

South Africa

Vosloorus

Vosloorus is a large township situated south of Boksburg and just east of Katlehong in Ekurhuleni, just 30 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Example

I need to visit Vosloorus very soon.

DRex • 21 June 2025

1 2 0

South Africa

Okes

Okes is a South African Cheese boy or Model C slang term for gents or guys.

Example

Okes were having fun last night at the rugby game.

Themba • 27 March 2025

0 1 0

South Africa

Skrr skrr nigger

Skrr skrr niggers are mostly born in 2000 .. They wear weird clothes and walk around high thinking they belong in america.. Mostly they are identified by their slung accent , nick names like ayc durk, black dugger or yng notolious .. And they listen to weird hip hop musics.. Mostly made in this generation thinking that they made it in life and also tend to think like they are similar to their favourite rapper.. One of the most favourite rapper of these screw screw niggers is j cole..

Example

Hes a skrr skrr nigger that's why he speaks in that way..

She realised that hes a skrr skrr nigger after he broke up with her

Marcus • 31 July 2023

0 1 0