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.

South Africa
Nguni

Lobola

The down-payment paid by the groom to the family of the bride before they can get married. It can be in the form of money or livestock.

I believe they call it a dowry in other parts of the world.
Example

My family expects R200k lobola for you to marry me.

Mbali • 18 March 2021
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Ncmsl

A shortened version of "Undincamisile", a Xhosa term to express shock. Undincamisile can also mean "you have kissed me, you kissed me, s/he kissed me", which is not related to the definition we are talking about here.
Example

Girl 1: She has already moved on.

Girl 2: For real? It's only been 2 weeks.

Girl 1: Dead serious.

Girl 2: Ncmsl

Sinazo • 11 March 2021
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Qlyv

Qlyv is a shortened version of "Ndiyaqala uyiva", a Xhosa term that means "it is my first time hearing about it".
Example

Girl 1: I hear you are dating Thabo.

Girl 2: Qlyv

Sinazo • 11 March 2021
0 0
South Africa
Sepitori

Alostro

A SePitori term for nyaope withdrawal symptoms.

Drugs/Nyaope cravings.
Example

Others are having alostro because of lockdown.

Sinazo • 05 March 2021
0 0
South Africa
Sesotho

Bathong

Word used to express disbelief, surprise, dissatisfaction.
Example

Bathong, that's so crazy.

Mr Trends • 30 November 2020
0 0
South Africa
Tsotsitaal / Scamto

Chiskop

The word that refers to when the head has been shaved to be bald.
Example

Men with chiskop are a bit scary.

Mr Trends • 16 November 2020
0 0
South Africa
Tsotsitaal / Scamto

Ama2000

Anyone born between 1998 and 2005. That's the Skrr skrr generation. You will see them with their durags and tight pants.
Example

Ama2000 like thinking that they know everything.

Mr Trends • 09 November 2020
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Uyanya

A Xhosa term for 'You are shitting'. It can also mean 'she or he is taking a shit', depending on the context.
Example

Man 1: Where is he?
Man 2: Uyanya (He is taking a shit)

Woman 1: I will beat you!
Woman 2: Uyanya (You are shitting)

Mbali • 09 August 2020
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Ninganya

A Xhosa term that directly translates to "y'all would shit".
Example

No one:

Black Coffee: Ninganya

Mbali • 09 August 2020
0 0
South Africa
isiXhosa

Ninganya

This is a swear word you use when people make fun of your disability, accident, family and kids... and people ask you to apologise for asking a simple question.
Example

I will not apologize for speaking the truth. Ningaya!!!

Chief • 07 August 2020
0 0
South Africa
Tsotsitaal / Scamto

4-5

A South African slang term for penis
Example

He pulled out his 4-5 out of the blue.

Chief • 01 August 2020
0 0
South Africa

A Reece

The king of South African rap, if not African rap. If you disagree with me, go argue with your ancestors. He hails from the great city of Pitori. He has the hip hop industry on his back like he is Quasimodo.
Example

A Reece is the greatest rapper alive. He is the G.O.A.T!

DRex • 30 July 2020
0 0

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