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.

Idlozi is a Zulu term for Ancestor.
Plural: Amadlozi
Example

I'm grateful for idlozi lami

Skhokho 09 August 2021
Yt pipo is a popular term on social media that refers to "White People"
Example

I'm not surprised, akere it's Yt pipo.

Varsity Dude 08 August 2021
To mize is to overlook/ignore something or someone intentionally.
Example

Girls will mize you when you are broke!

Varsity Dude 08 August 2021
A popular South African Slang term for 'a long time ago' or 'back in the day'
Example

I know your dad from van toeka.

Varsity Dude 04 August 2021
It is really good; it is intense.

Used to signify fun or excitement.
Example

Yebo, ziyaporoma
Tshela u-barman nomayini

Mr Trends 04 August 2021
In Xhosa, ityala can mean multiple things.

1. Ityala can mean debt.

2. Ityala can mean a case (court).

So it all depends on the context.
Example

1. Ityala lam lakwa FNB yi R20 000.

(My FNB debt is R20 000).

2. Ityala lam licinyiwe namhlanje.

(My case was dropped today).

MXhosa 15 July 2021
Unyoko is a Nguni term that means mother. It is mostly used in a rude manner.
Example

Umsunu kanyoko

Your mother's cunt

MXhosa 08 July 2021
Ufasti is a term Xhosa people use to refer to the main chick or main partner. Some call it 560.
Example

Ngufasti wam lawey
She is my main girlfriend

MXhosa 06 July 2021
Word meaning drink, any type of drink and mostly biased towards alcohol drinks.
Example

uspinza ini? What are you drinking?

Mntungwa 05 July 2021
The word referring any form of educational institution, from pre-school all the way to University.
Example

Did you go to Sgela? Did you go to School?

Mntungwa 05 July 2021

ZAR

The South African currency, also known as Rand or just an "R".
Example

I need ZAR 50 million right now.

Mane 27 June 2021
The South African currency, also called ZAR or just an "R".
Example

I need 50 million rands for all my problems.

Mane 27 June 2021

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