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.
He was doing well until he started smoking nyaope. He has now become iphara.
“I know it’s correct cause Sizwe Dhlomo said it” - said no one ever.
Guy 1: I just heard that in 1994, ANC won the elections but Nelson Mandela made the call to give it to the IFP for stability.
Guy 2: where did you hear that?
Guy 1: From Dhloogle.
Huzet ngawe?(What is wrong with you), huzet?( What happened)
I'll see you tomorrow, ntjaka.
She just bought a new car, she’s a real entreprennyo.
Ekse, ndifuna ukungqaya lewey.
Ekse, I want to buy this thing.
How are your jollofites doing?
She can afford her lifestyle because she's dating jollof boys. She is a Jollofina