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 the Xhosa term for korobela - which is love potion given to your lover so that he/she only loves you.

It basically translates to yiva mna ndedwa (only hear me).
Example

I won't mind even if you can give me ivamna.

Sinazo 05 May 2021
Korobela refers to a love potion given to a man or woman to love you more and be more submissive towards you.
Example

She gave him korobela that's why she controls him like this.

Sinazo 05 May 2021
Another term that refers to Covid-19.
Example

This coco has made things difficult for everyone.

Danny 04 May 2021
A skrr skrr kid who is the president of ama2000 in South Africa.
Example

Uncle Vinny's birthday party was massive.

Danny 04 May 2021
A Xhosa or Zulu term for a white person.
Example

My best friend is umlungu.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
A term used to refer to a bribe, usually given to cops or traffic officers.
Example

I gave him some tjotjo and he let me go.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
A Mabena is a person who is always making mistakes and who is a disappointment.
Example

Disappoint me again, Mabena.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
A term that is used to refer to a beautiful woman.

Can also be spelt as chandapha.
Example

yoh this girl ke shandapha.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
When university students don't attend lectures and just submit their assignments, write tests and exams (Like UNISA students.
Example

Yoh dawg, I don't remember the last time I attended a lecture. I've been pulling a UNISA this semester.

Varsity Dude 30 April 2021
University of South Africa - The biggest University in South Africa in terms of number of students. It is known for its distance learning programmes. Majority of students who go here are not at an actual campus. Covid found them ready.
Example

I have applied at UNISA, I want to study while chilling at home.

Varsity Dude 30 April 2021
It's the face of a person who has been drinking for a long time / a drunkard. That face that looks like leather.
Example

This person is old, can't you see that phuza face?

Skhokho 29 April 2021
An informal Xhosa slang term for "I am so happy / I am so excited". It is shortened from "Andisavuyi"
Example

Kaizer Chiefs lost to Chippa Utd today, savuyi mntkbw.

Sinazo 28 April 2021

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