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.

An Afrikaans derogatory term that directly translates to "your mother's cunt".
See poes.
Example

Stop talking shit jou ma se poes

DRex 26 April 2021
The generation of people who are sad during the week and extremely happy on weekends. You will see them with their Savannas on their heads, dancing to amapiano.
Example

"We are a sad generation with happy pictures"
I am a proud member of the "sad generation".

Mbali 26 April 2021
Local term for cotton.
Example

Sidl'ukotini kwedini.

Mbali 26 April 2021
Directly translates to: We are eating cotton. This is a statement said when you feel that you've dressed to impress or you dress nicely in general.
Example

"Sidl'ukotini kwedini, cava le jean kwedini" - Rick Rick

Mbali 26 April 2021
A Xhosa term for small boy. It is generally used by older men when referring to a younger boy.
It can also be used to refer to an adult male but you need to make sure that you are not scared of that person you call kwedini.
Example

I will moer you, kwedini. Don't disrespect me like that.

Mbali 26 April 2021
Askies is an Afrikaans term for Sorry. It is however used informally in almost all the South African languages for apologising.
Example

I didn't see you there, askies for stepping on you.

Mr Trends 26 April 2021
Dankie is an Afrikaans term for "thank you". It is however used informally in almost all the South African languages for showing gratitude.
Example

Man 1: You left your phone in the bathroom, I left it at the reception.
Man 2: Dankie, chief.

Mr Trends 26 April 2021
South African kasi term for "just like that" or "just the way it is".
Example

Thabo: You don't put salt when you cook pap?
Themba: Nah, I eat it net so.

Danny 26 April 2021
A skrr skrr way of referring to the ancestors.
Example

You fam, the underground gang won't be happy about that.

Mbali 26 April 2021
It is a basic Sotho term that means they will hurt you. It is also a warning to the guys that girls are animals it's better to be single and drink alcohol
Example

When you friends see that Amanda is going to play with your fellings, they simply use the term like

"🗣: Batla u hurda boy tlohella ngwanana enwa"

Colani 27 April 2021
Cape Peninsula University of Technology also known as "Ingenile" it is high school that is based i Cape Town that accommodates amanxila, people who like alcohol and drunkards.
Example

CPUT learners 🗣: Ingenile "R1500"

After 3 days: Bank balance 0.00

Colani 27 April 2021
Derived from a Xhosa term "andisamthandi" which means I love him/her so much.
Context is very important when it comes to this word because it also means "I no longer love him/her".
Example

Girl: Is that your child there

Guy: Yes, that's my baby girl.

Girl: Yhu samthandi mntkbw

Sinazo 27 April 2021

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