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 Africa

Vat n sit

Is a term used in South Africa to refer to a situation where two people who are not married are living together.
Example

Those ones will never get married. They've been doing vat n sit for more than 5 years.

Skhokho • 03 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Backroom

A backroom is a room in a yard that's usually at the back of the main house. It is mostly used for rental purposes.
Example

I'm renting a backroom in Tembisa.

Skhokho • 03 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Kho

When You blow your MT4/MT5 account, the only sound you get to hear is "kho"
Example

Life ke "kho"

Meaning life can also be viewed as a huge loss when things aren't going well

Lucas N • 03 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Alostro

The feeling of wanting to explain something and not finding the right term to do that,
Example

Eish "Alostro" mfowethu (unexplainable)

Lucas N • 03 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Lepharra

The Sepitori version of Tsotsi

This means skinny guy with Nike hat, Skinny jeans and a black Allstar
Example

Sheba le pharra leli

(Look at that thug)

Thabiso Maoko • 04 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Tswape

A tswape is a South African term for a massive wedgy (when your underwear is stuck between your butt cheeks).
Example

I had a tswepe during the people and I was so embarrassed to remove it.

CG • 04 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

During the people

Is a general term used to refer to "around people" or ween there are people present.
Example

Imagine, they were busy kissing during the people.

CG • 04 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Boet

It is a word mostly used by Afrikaans speaking people that means friend or brother, depending on the context.
Example

Listen here, boet. I will moer you.

Sinazo • 05 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Toti

Itoti is a general term for a can or tin. It can be a can of beer, food or whatever, as long as it's a can you can call it itoti.
Example

I stopped drinking ngud, I only drink itoti now.

MXhosa • 05 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

South Africa

South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent.
Example

I was born and bred in South Africa.

MXhosa • 10 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

Johannesburg

Johannesburg also known informally as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa. The city was established in 1886 following the discovery of gold on what had been a farm
Example

My friends from Johannesburg don't know anything about struggle.

MXhosa • 10 May 2022
0 0
South Africa

NMU

NMU (formerly known as NMMU) is Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. It is the University you go to when you get rejected at Rhodes.
Example

What does a Rhodes student and an NMU student have in common?

They both applied at Rhodes!

Varsity Dude • 10 May 2022
0 0

More than 1,400 words... defined by people like you and me!

Define A Word
- Terms & Conditions -
- Privacy Policy -
- About -
© 2020 Africtionary®