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.

This means that the dyan has caught feelings.
Example

I can't believe icatchile idyan.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
A Zulu pronunciation of "manager".
It can also mean you are standing with a dog.
Example

No one:
Zulu guy: My friend is now a menenja at Transnet.

DRex 10 May 2021
Dololo means nothing, nix, fokkol!
Example

The way she likes talking but logic dololo.

Skhokho 11 May 2021
Is a hit song that makes everyone go crazy.
Example

zekethe... zekethe... zekethe

Danny 11 May 2021
A social media term that means they will hurt you.
Example

You think he loves you... Batlao hurda mntase.

Skhokho 11 May 2021
A Zulu word for asking a girl/guy out.
Example

Ladies must also shela now. #WomenHaveToShela

Skhokho 11 May 2021
A term used when someone tags along with a couple, either on a date or when they are just chilling.
Example

I'm tired of always being the one holding a candle. I need a girlfriend.

Varsity Dude 11 May 2021
(XiTsonga) A sexy language that is mostly spoken in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Mozambique.

The people are Tsonga people.
Example

My best friend is Tsonga but she can't speak XiTsonga properly.

Sinazo 11 May 2021
A Tsonga term that means "Where was he going", mostly used on social media when someone maybe gets hurt when doing something they were not supposed to do in the first place.
Example

Girl 1: She broke up with that Xhosa guy, apparently he was trash.

Girl 2: I told her to stay away from Xhosa people. Yena aya kwini?

Sinazo 11 May 2021
This is apparently a thing these days. Are these ama2000 who are always posting their numbers on social media asking for "status viewers". Yeah, these kids are very weird.
Example

She has so many contacts because she is a WhatsApp influencer.

Sinazo 11 May 2021
A Xhosa term that means for nothing. Free; obtained without payment or difficulty.
Example

Buy 1 drink and get the second one simahla.

Sinazo 11 May 2021
Is a term that means jerking off or masturbating.
Example

I caught my little brother eskomora.

MXhosa 11 May 2021

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