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.

Khofonoza is a term used to refer to a vagina.
Example

Ngifuna ikhofonoza namuhla.

I want vagina today.

Brazo 23 August 2026
Isimbi is the steel
Example

Baberegisa isimbi Ekhaya
They used a steel at Home

Pronunciation
by Anti Devil
Anti Devil 15 August 2026
Irarho is a ass
Example

Irarho laka baba belibuhlungu

A ass of the father was painful

Pronunciation
by Anti Devil
Anti Devil 15 August 2026
Ubhalelwe mean She or He failed
Example

Ubhalelwe ukumkhuza
He failed to rebuke him

Anti Devil 08 August 2026
Umumbi means a Person is ugly
Example

Lomndazana loya Uthe umumbi

That girl say You're ugly

Anti Devil 08 August 2026
Imfusi is a Xhosa term that refers to a person who is born after twins, i.e a younger brother or sister of a twin.
Example

He was born after twins, that’s why they named him Mfusi.

Chief 07 August 2026
Cable is an informal Kasi term for HIV & AIDS.
Example

He was sleeping around now une cable.

Brazo 05 August 2026
It is an urban South African youth language, also known as tsotsi taal or township talk, that mixes words from languages like Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans, and English.
Example

They mostly speak Scamto to each other.

Sinazo 04 August 2026
Isishawa is a derogatory Zulu slur used to refer to people living with albinism.
Example

No one:

Golden Arrows admin: Shezi ngeke ahlulwe ukumaka isishawa.

Brazo 04 August 2026
This refers to a chewing gum or bubble gum. It was borrowed from a popular brand by the same name.
Example

Can I have some Chappies, my breath doesn’t smell nice after smoking.

Brazo 04 August 2026
Bafafta is a playful, modern Xhosa slang term used as an affectionate or emphatic collective address for women, friends, or peers, similar to saying "folks," "guys," or an exaggerated version of bafazi (women)
Example

Yho bafafta, I’m so drunk.

Brazo 02 August 2026
Iinhluthu is hair
Example

Iinhluthu ziyakhula

Hair is growing

Anti Devil 01 August 2026

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