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.

Is a Xhosa term for "You are annoying".
It can also mean "He/She is annoying"... depending on the pronunciation.
Example

Example 1: Don't talk to me, uyadika (you are annoying).

Example 2: I stopped talking to her because uyadika (she is annoying).

MXhosa 11 May 2021
Is a Xhosa term for pubic hair.
Example

Voetsek utsho ngezinza ezibomvu.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
Is a colloquial Xhosa term for pubic hair.
Also see izinza.
Example

iinzeft zam ziyarhawzela.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
(of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
Example

We use a lot of colloquial terms in our everyday lingo.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
Umnqundu is a Xhosa swear word that you don't want to randomly say.
Example

Mqundu wakho kwedini.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
Umdlezana is a Xhosa term for a mother of a new born baby.
Plural: Abadlezana
Example

Unqabile because ngumdlezana kaloku.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
irhem is a colloquial Xhosa term mostly used by ama dyan from East London (eMonti) to refer to sex or a vagina.
Example

Bendisitya irhem izolo.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
mpundu is a Xhosa term for bums or ass.
Example

1. Ndifuna ukutya iimpundu.

2. "Zodwa Wabantu, ndicela undiphe iimpundu" - Big Xhosa.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
Inteshe is a Xhosa term that refers to a huge belly, mostly seen in tenderpreneurs. It is the synonym of mkhaba.
Example

I've stopped eating meat because wow, inteshe.

MXhosa 12 May 2021
Andizi is a Xhosa term for I am not coming.
Example

Q: Are you coming or not?

A: Andizi!

MXhosa 12 May 2021

Ewe

A Xhosa term for Yes.
Example

"Uhayi akasebenzi, kungcono uzame u ewe" - iFani

MXhosa 12 May 2021
A Xhosa term for No.
Example

Q: Are you hungry?

A: Hayi

MXhosa 12 May 2021

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