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.
Yoh
NEWYho, I canβt believe he left her.
Boyzen
NEWZthini boyzen?
Howβs it going my boy?
Sycophant
NEWThe manager surrounded himself with sycophant who praised every decision, no matter how flawed
Finish and Klaar
NEWYou are not going to that party, finish and klaar!
Bompie
NEWI need some bompie for this hot weather.
Bum-boy
NEWCan you go to the shop for me?
You think Iβm your bum-boy?
Charou
NEWHe grew up in Chatsworth and proudly identifies as a charou who loves hot mutton curry and playing Thunee.
Chatsworth
NEWLet's go see my bro in Chatsworth
Ekamela
NEWIs Skamelian Man from Ekamela
*You feel yourself tripping* βGidliβ
βLomjitha uyablipaβ
βStop bliparingβ