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.

A Zulu term that means for nothing. Free; obtained without payment or difficulty. It is however not only used by Zulu, it has been incorporated to modern South African lingo.
Example

Buy 1 drink and get the second one mahala.

Sinazo 13 April 2021
Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in South Africa (about 24% of the population), and it is understood by over 50% of South African population.
Example

Zulu guys will hurt you big time.

Sinazo 13 April 2021
Also known as Matric Farewell - Is when grade 12 (last year of high school) learners have one final formal function, often followed by parties, underage drinking and bad decisions. Each school usually has its own dance and pupils usually come with a date and wear expensive suits and dresses.

Americans would call it prom
Example

I don't know who I am going to take to the Matric Dance.

Sinazo 13 April 2021
The last year of high school (grade 12).
Example

I can't wait to do my matric.

Mr Trends 14 April 2021
A Sepitori term for good, beautiful... anything great. You may use it to say you are good at something or even use it to say you are beautiful.
Example

Ke dese ka diski unlike Bafana Bafana players.

Mr Trends 15 April 2021
In Sepitori, dese means good, beautiful... anything great. You may use it to say you are good at something or even use it to say you are beautiful.
The "Ke" in front stands for "I" or "I am"
Example

Ke dese ka diski unlike Bafana Bafana players.

Mr Trends 15 April 2021
In Sepitori, dese means good, beautiful... anything great. You may use it to say you are good at something or even use it to say you are beautiful.
The "O" in front stands for "You" or "You are".
Example

O dese girl, ebele o lepyatla

Mr Trends 15 April 2021
Jumpas means later on.
Example

I will see you jumpas.

DRex 15 April 2021
Skyf is the moment you pass the cigarette from the owner to the parasite.
Example

Please skyf nkawza

Sinazo 15 April 2021
Kasi term for cigarette.
Example

Buy me some nkawza.

skyf nkawza da.

Sinazo 15 April 2021
The nickname for township of Alexandra in Johannesburg., also known as Alex. It has been compared to the Gomora in the Bible.
Example

If you value your safety, don't drive in Gomora at night

Mr Trends 15 April 2021
A racial slur that was (and still) used by racist whites to refer to black people in South Africa.
Example

She got arrested for calling black protester kaffir.

DRex 15 April 2021

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