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.

Sphokazi's girlfriend who is extremely gorgeous and funny- dash of sluttism.
Example

Have a day as beautiful as Umntu Ka Sphokazi

Mike 19 April 2022
Somagwaza, is a rather mysterious, if not mythical, forefather who invented circumcision as a means of passage into manhood for Xhosa people.
Example

I'm sure you didn't know who Somagwaza was 😅

MXhosa 19 April 2022
Is to buy WEED, this term started in Mamelodi now is a common word around Pitori.
Example

Bro, Vraiza ujike ko Jeff uTokantse baart

Thulani Mabuza 22 April 2022
It's a Zulu word that describes that a person is emotionally damaged.
Example

Umjolo nyised my friend

Thiizo Phumlanii Hlalu 25 April 2022
It's a Zulu word that describes your are going through a lot or bad things are about to happen to you
Example

Ziyakhala ke manje

Thiizo Phumlanii Hlalu 25 April 2022
meaning shit that comes out of your anus (ndunu)
Example

have uyishlama wena.(you are shit)

siyaphuma ishlama lapho.(is the shit coming out there)

anonymous 25 April 2022
A meal that is generally cooked on Sundays in many households across Mzansi.

It is coined as 7 colours because it comprises a lot of colourful ingredients; a mix of vegetables, starch and meat that make up various colours.
Example

I went home last weekend and my highlight was the 7 colours oledi cooked.

MXhosa 01 May 2022
This is the Orlando Pirates football club from Soweto, South Africa. A person who is a fan of Pirates can also be referred to as Bhakaniya.
Example

Bhakaniya has not won the league in a while now.

MXhosa 01 May 2022
Orlando Pirates AKA Bhakaniya is a South African soccer club that plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as Premier Soccer League.
Example

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are the biggest rivals in the continent of Africa.

MXhosa 01 May 2022
Die poppie sal dans is a popular South African term that means there will be trouble or havoc.
The direct translation from Afrikaans is: The dolls will dance
Example

Mom told them to take out the meat from the freezer in the morning and they forgot. Die poppie sal dans when she comes back from church.

Mr Trends 01 May 2022
An informal term mostly used by Xhosa people to refer to beer.
Example

Sbwl iWash namhlanje.
I am craving beer today.

MXhosa 02 May 2022
Waya waya is a widely used term in South Africa that means "all the time".
Example

He's always telling lies waya waya.

Skhokho 03 May 2022

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