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.

Girls these days say they are in Japan to indicate that they are on their periods.
This is due to the flag of Japan, all white with a big red dot (indicates period blood in this case). 🇯🇵
Example

Yoh mntase, I was so worried that I won't go to Japan this month but I woke up in Japan today.

Skhokho 28 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
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
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
The online betting site that's chowing 90% of South African men and a couple of women.
Example

Stop wasting your money on betting. Betway will kill you a real death.

Danny 26 April 2021
A sfebe that hides behind being a feminist but do sfebe things behind closed doors.
Example

That one is just pretending to be a feminist. She actually is a sfebenist.

Varsity Dude 21 April 2021

UCT

University of Cape Town. People who go there and Wits will make sure that it comes up in the conversation that they go there.
Example

No one:

UCT student: So back in UCT, blah blah blah.

Varsity Dude 21 April 2021
The term for a student at Rhodes University, South Africa.

Rhodes is notorious for its heavy-drinking scene. Thus, being a Rhodent is also synonymous with drinking heavily.
Example

Rhodents were overdrinking everyone at that party last night.

Varsity Dude 21 April 2021

TUT

A University in Pretoria (Tshwane), South Africa. TUT is short for Tshwane University of Technology. It is known for being in the forefront of all violent strikes/protests in South Africa.
Example

Did you see what TUT students were doing to the cops during the protest?

Varsity Dude 21 April 2021
South African Minister of Finance. His signature used to be in SA money hence his name is often referred to when skrr skrr gang is talking about money.
Example

Tito Mboweni, sha sha...

Sinazo 19 April 2021
An older woman who prefers to date younger boys and usually spends money on them.
A female version of a blesser
Example

I really need a new sugar mama who's gonna pay my rent.

Sinazo 19 April 2021
Skyf is the moment you pass the cigarette from the owner to the parasite.
Example

Please skyf nkawza

Sinazo 15 April 2021

© 2020 Africtionary®