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.

The name South Africans gave Queen Elizabeth when she died 😅
Example

Hitler is reportedly having a nice time with Lizbet in hell.

DRex 09 September 2022

Nap

'N' a slight sleep or short sleep, especially during the day.
Example

I wanna take a nap in my room.

I thought he want to catch a nap.

EL Qowheeyy 13 September 2022
Umkhonto is a Nguni term or word for a spear (the weapon).
Example

Ndicela undinike umkhonto wam.

Can you please give me my spear.

MXhosa 16 September 2022
Yihlo is a Xhosa term for father or dad. It can also used informally to refer to a male friend or male family member.
Example

Hlonipha uyihlo no nyoko.

Respect your dad and mom.

MXhosa 26 September 2022
Ukuqabula is an informal Xhosa term for taking out babalaas. Basically the act of drinking the morning after a heavy night of drinking.
Example

I'm dying from babalaas now, ndifuna ukuqabula.

MXhosa 27 September 2022
Jollofina is a name given to South African women who are dating Nigerian men.
Example

She has all this money because she's dating Jollof boys. She's a Jollofina.

DRex 28 September 2022
Jollof boys is a name given to Nigerian men in South Africa.
Example

Who drives that Range Rover.

It's owned by this other Jollof boy who works in Hillbrow.

DRex 28 September 2022
1. Refers to a stupid/childish person.
Example

"ejoh wena o slatsa!"

"bro you're stupid"

Tebogo 01 October 2022
Nothern Sotho word, popular in Limpopo use to describe a beautiful girl.
Example

That girl is hot gents. Ke Letsabitsa.

Sir Austine D. 03 October 2022
Drop is a Kasi term for gonorrhea (a type of STI).
Example

He got a drop after sleeping with that girl last week.

Skhokho 06 October 2022
Fatcake filled with chicken livers, mince or vegetables
Example

Andiwuthandi lona umdundu.

Peekay 08 October 2022
Dagga is the term we use in South Africa to refer to weed.
Example

I can't wait to get home and smoke my dagga.

LinguistZA 12 October 2022

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