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.

Add a South African word

South Africa

Covidpreneur

Covidpreneurs are those dodgy tenderpreneurs who loot the government money intended for Covid-19 tenders. They register dodgy businesses and win tenders but they either not deliver at all or they deliver below par results.

Example

Deals that are believed to be worth more than R2.2bn, involving emergency purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being said to be chowed by Covidpreneurs.

Sinazo • 26 July 2020

3 0 0

South Africa

Nguni

Phara

Also known as phara-phara. A term that refers to a drug addict who often terrorizes the community through criminal activities. The term is mostly used in Xhosa and Zulu speaking communities. In Gauteng, this person would be called a Nyaope Boy.

Example

There was nothing he could do, ela phara had a huge knife so he just gave away the phone.

Chief • 22 July 2020

3 0 0

South Africa

Cosmetically challenged

When you are ugly as fuck.

Example

1. He couldn't get that girl because he is cosmetically challenged.

2. She rejected him because, cosmetically, he is challenged.

DRex • 16 July 2020

3 0 0

South Africa

Afrikaans

Lekker

An Afrikaans word that has multiple meanings and which can be used in various contexts to describe many things from people to food to inanimate objects. It is used to convey the meaning of great, delicious, nice or fun. Make sure to roll the ‘r’ when pronouncing the word.

Example

That new movie is lekker!
That bunny chow was lekker!
I’m lekker, bru!

Chief • 10 July 2020

3 0 0

South Africa

Sister Betina

The South African National Anthem, written and performed by our very own, Mgarimbe.

Example

They all lost their minds when Sister Betina started playing.

DRex • 10 July 2020

3 0 0

South Africa

Ijoh

is a word used as a form of being surprised nor reacting to shocking incidents.

Example

"Makhi o hlokofetsi, ijoh modimo mara!"

Pronunciation

by Bra frans

Bra frans • 04 June 2026

2 0 1

South Africa

bomma

is a pedi name that's usually uttered by stingy limpopian males when refusing to give huns the money.

Example

"Ke bea Bomma pele"

Pronunciation

by Bra frans

Bra frans • 04 June 2026

2 0 0

South Africa

isiXhosa

Thobela

Thobela will be "Be obedient" in IsiXhosa

Example

Thobela abase magunyeni
Be obedient to authorities

Pronunciation

by Thobela Memani

Thobela Memani • 02 October 2025

2 0 0

South Africa

Mfowethu

Mfowethu is a Nguni term for "my brother". It can be used to refer to any male, it doesn't have to be your biological brother. It's like saying "bro".

Example

Sure mfowethu, I will see you tomorrow.