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 African soccer team from Naturena, Soweto. It is arguably the club with the most annoying supporters in South Africa. Kaizer Chiefs fans think their team went to a private school. They think it's the Woolworths of soccer teams.
Example

You also support Kaizer Chiefs? That's why you are so annoying.

DRex 19 July 2020
This is the best herb to get you relaxed. It was once illegal to grow this shit in South Africa, but now motherfuckers are growing it all over.
Example

Dude, where did you get the weed we had last night? It was the bomb.

Chief 19 July 2020
Short for mntasekhaya. A Xhosa term of endearment for family i.e siblings, cousins or even a dear friend.
Example

- Yho mntase, you should have seen the way he looked at me.

- Never let men play you, mntase. Banyise bonke.

Chief 19 July 2020
Also known as Pretoria. This is the capital city of South Africa. The people of this city speak what they call SePitori.
Example

I know I'm a dick, akere I'm from Pitori.

DRex 19 July 2020
That South African language with all the clicks. The people who speak this language think they breathe flavoured air
Example

No one:

Thabo: I only date Xhosa chicks even though I know they will suck me dry.

DRex 18 July 2020
A Xhosa term used to tell someone that you are going through the most.

Variations: mgowo, gowa, gowisha, gowishing.
Example

I'm so broke, ngumgowo nje wodwa mntase.

Financially, ndiyagowa.

DRex 18 July 2020
When you are so broke, you literally have nothing left under your name.
Example

1. I've been living on pap and atchaar because I'm financially deceased.

2. I can't pay you this week, I am financially deceased.

DRex 16 July 2020
The South African Women's soccer team.
Example

Banyana Banyana is the best women's soccer team in Africa, unlike Bafana Bafana.

Chief 16 July 2020
The weakest soccer team in Africa and the rest of the world.
Example

Even Banyana Banyana can beat your beloved Bafana Bafana.

Mr Trends 15 July 2020
This word can be used in any context. You can use it to greet, to say goodbye, to indicate you are happy. Etc.
Example

Guy 1: Aweh bro, howzit?
Guy 2: Chilled bro, how about you?

Guy 1: Lekker bro.
Guy 2: Aweh!

Chief 15 July 2020
This is a South African way of saying Barbecue.
Example

Tonight, we deserve to have braai and celebrate the great year we've had

Chief 11 July 2020
A rich, usually older guy who exchanges his money for sexual benefits from young girls and/or boys.
Example

Chomie, I got this new iPhone from my Blesser.

Chief 11 July 2020

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