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.

An aura having a frame of mind that will last a lifetime, has epiphany
Example

Tell Dyco to come and do the greats he always does

Colani 18 June 2021
Mzukwana is a Kasi term for the olden days / the good old days / back in the day.
Example

I woke up and listened to Kwaito ya mzukwana today.

Skhokho 20 June 2021
Indlala is the formal Xhosa term for hunger or poverty.
Also see Ikati ilele eziko
Example

Indlala inamanyala and it can make you do anything.

MXhosa 21 June 2021
Mandoza was a Kwaito legend who gave us a lot of hit songs like Nkalakatha, Tornado, etc.

May he continue to rest 🙏🏾
Example

I really miss Mandoza right now.

Chief 21 June 2021
Umgosi in South Africa means gossip.
Example

No one:
Girls: I have so much mgosi for you my friend.

Marawa 23 June 2021
Umakhwapheni is a more formal term for a side chick or a nyatsi.
Example

His wife saw him at a restaurant with his makhwapheni.

Marawa 23 June 2021
Ballie is a Term in Mzansi that refers to an old man or a father.
Example

I met this other ballie yesterday and he gave me some good dating advice.

Mane 25 June 2021
Injibhabha is a Xhosa term that is mostly used by women to refer to loss of hair (in women) on the side of the hair. Or just woman becoming bald.
Example

Yho seyonjibhabha kusisi wakho

Sinazo 25 June 2021
Gwala is a Nguni term for a coward.
Example

Ey that grootman ligwala.

Danny 26 June 2021
Jiva is a kasi term for dancing. It can also be spelt as Jaiva.
Example

Ey wena uyathanda uku jiva.

You like dancing

Danny 26 June 2021
To jaiva is to dance.
Example

I need to learn uku jaiva.

Danny 26 June 2021
Amakhosi is another name for the South African soccer team (Future African Champions) Kaizer Chiefs.
Example

Amakhosi are getting a star when they win the finals.

Danny 26 June 2021

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