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.

When the stupid Ass-kom also known as Eskom decides to switch off our electricity that we pay for.
Example

You better charge your phone, Load shedding is starting again soon

Mr Trends 22 March 2021
Celebrated every year on the 27th of March. The anniversary of the South African Covid-19 lockdown that was supposed to last only 21 days.
Example

Happy lockdowniversary to everyone who is celebrating.

Mbali 26 March 2021
Ayoba is a South African slang, which means something β€œcool”, β€œokay”, or β€œall right”. It was popular before the social media age but its use has declined.
Example

Girl 1: We should go to the mall tomorrow.

Girl 2: Ayoba

Mbali 04 April 2021
A situation where you don't have money and you have no means of getting it.
Example

I'm so Meneer Magongwa these days.

Mbali 05 April 2021
Another term for ayoba, a catch phrase that was popular in the Blackberry and YoTv days.
Example

That's so ayoba.

Ayobaness.

Mbali 05 April 2021
A popular Tswana/Sotho phrase on social media that means "I would scream". It's used as an expression when something shocking happens.
Example

Imagine if ISIS would come to South Africa. Yhuu nka screama gore.

Mbali 05 April 2021
A guy who trended for what was apparently a staged video. He was asked for his number by a woman in a car and he kept saying "082". Twitter gave him the name Mr 082.
Example

Did you see the Mr 082 video?

Chief 05 April 2021
An expression of surprise or shock (basically means wow), mostly used by Xhosa speaking people. It can also be spelt as Hayibo.
Example

Haibo, is this really happening?

Mbali 06 April 2021
Mjolo basically means dating. It's derived from ukujola which means to date. Therefore mjolo is the act of dating (ukujola).


Other people may spell it as mojolo
Example

Mjolo will nyisa you.

Danny 06 April 2021
Is to date someone or being in a relationship.
Example

When did you start ukujola now?

Danny 06 April 2021
This depends on the context. Jola can be someone's clan name if you are Xhosa.


It can also mean dating, see ukujola or mjolo.
Example

NdinguJola, Mphankomo...


Jola wena, you will see the consequenses.

Sinazo 06 April 2021
A vulgar or explicit way to say butt or ass.

Do not say this to anyone or you will be moered.
Example

You are mad, mdidi wakho.

DRex 06 April 2021

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