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

Vosho

A South African dance where the person squats and kicks at the same time. It is one of the most popular dances in South Africa.
Example

Look at how she does the vosho. You can see that she is a regular at groove.

Mbali • 09 April 2021
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South Africa

Swazi

Weed from Swaziland that is very potent.
Example

Come let's smoke, I've got some swazi here.

Mbali • 09 April 2021
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South Africa

Pap

Limpopo people's favourite food, made from maize meal.
Example

We need more pap for the braai.

Sinazo • 11 April 2021
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South Africa

Babalaas

Can also be spelled Bhabhalaza, Babalaz, bhabhalazi - is a hangover or that feeling in the morning after a night of heavy drinking.
Example

I'm struggling to wake up today because babalaas is nyisaring me.

Sinazo • 12 April 2021
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South Africa

Stlamatlama

Also known as babalaas is hangover.
Example

Stlamatlama is killing me today.

Sinazo • 12 April 2021
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South Africa
isiXhosa

Ungenaphi?

An African proverb (apparently), is taken from Xhosa and directly translate to "where do you enter?". It means how is that/this any of your concern?
Example

Guy: I don't like the fact that you smoke.

Girl: Ungenaphi?

Sinazo • 12 April 2021
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South Africa

Yebo

It means "yes", but it is used as an extremely expressive form of the affirmative. It's often used as a double positive, saying "Yebo yes!".
Example

Man 1: Are you gonna watch the game tomorrow?

Man 2: Yebo yes!

Sinazo • 12 April 2021
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South Africa

Boerewors

Can be shortened as just "wors" literally means "farmer’s sausage", this is a savory sausage that is often used for braai and then eaten as a variation of a hot dog or with pap.
Example

We are braaing boerewors and steak.

Sinazo • 12 April 2021
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South Africa

Toyi-toyi

A quasi-military dance-step characterized by high-stepping movements, performed either on the spot or while moving slowly forwards, usually by participants in protest gatherings or marches, and accompanied by chanting, singing, and the shouting of slogans
Example

They were toyi-toying for the lack of service delivery in their community and apparently the money was misused by a local tenderpreneur

Sinazo • 13 April 2021
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South Africa

Black Juice

Another name for Carling Black Label. South Africa's favourite beer. Some may call it Zamalek.
Example

Yho the babalaas you would swear I was drinking Black Juice.

DRex • 13 April 2021
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South Africa

Zamalek

Another name for Carling Black Label beer. Some call it Black Juice.
Example

I will never drink zamalek again. It's too strong.

DRex • 13 April 2021
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South Africa

Inqaba

Can be called "nqaba" is another word for Castle Lager, one of South Africa's favourite beer.
Example

I am definitely buying myself inqaba after work.

Mr Trends • 13 April 2021
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