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.

a casual , playful relationship with a short term view. usually referring to cheating
Example

Eddie ojola with everyone

Admin 11 November 2024
A broke person
Example

You are just "mmege" you have no single cent

Murendeni Lifeline 30 August 2024
Fong Kong is a term generally used in South Africa to refer to a fake item (it can be fake clothing, fake phone, anything fake).
Example

I won't buy from Sis Ntosh, she sells Fong Kong Air forces.

DRex 30 August 2024
a fairytale
Example

uthisha uzixoxele inganekwane

Nomzamo 03 August 2024
Ihoki is a term used to refer to a shack.
Example

I need decoration ideas for ihoki yam.

Siya 23 July 2024

Nxa

It is used to describe something that is very nice or can be used when you agree or like something
Example

This food is very nxa

Nxa I'll see you later

Anxnymxus008 29 June 2024
It's a Xhosa word for a cologne
Example

Can you borrow me your qula

snezzo 29 June 2024
It's a Xhosa slang word for a watch
Example

Where is ihlongo lam

snezzo 29 June 2024
Inja is a Nguni term for a dog.
Example

Lo mjita yinja.
This guy is a dog.

LinguistZA 26 June 2024
Mabopane is a residential township in South Africa. It is situated in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, to the north of Pretoria in Gauteng.
Example

I was visiting a friend in Mabopane.

Morena 26 June 2024
Soshanguve is a township situated about 30 km north of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, just east of Mabopane. The name Soshanguve is an acronym for Sotho, Shangaan, Nguni and Venda, thus showing the multi-ethnic composition of the population.
Example

If you can make it in Soshanguve, you can make it anywhere.

Morena 26 June 2024
Qonce is the Xhosa name for King Williams Town in Eastern Cape.
Example

Born and bred eQonce, chief.

AP 22 June 2024

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