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.

Ingqithi is a Xhosa custom of amputating the joint of the little finger, or of the ring finger on babies and sometimes adults.
Example

My finger is like this because I have ingqithi.

MXhosa 12 October 2022
IsiXhosa is a Nguni language that is spoken in South Africa and some parts of Zimbabwe. It is the language with the clicks.
Example

Ndithetha isiXhosa ekhaya.

I speak Xhosa at home.

MXhosa 12 October 2022
Ithuvi is a Xhosa slang term for shit or kaka.
Example

Uthetha ithuvi.

You are talking shit.

MXhosa 13 October 2022
Ikaka is a Xhosa term for shit or feces.
Example

Uthetha Ikaka.

You are talking shit.

MXhosa 13 October 2022
Imama is a term that's been trending on social media that means a woman or a girlfriend.
Example

Imama must be beautiful unprovoked.

Skhokho 13 October 2022
Ikati is a Nguni name for a cat.
Example

Xhosa: Ndifuna ikati.

Zulu: Ngifuna ikati.

LinguistZA 13 October 2022
It is an intelligent person. E.g lenebari Victor is a brain box
Example

Lenebari Victor is a brain box

Brain box 21 October 2022
Homie, Dear or Friend in a South African Xhosa language
Example

You don't have to worry mntase, all shall be well

Tumelo Thobejane 30 October 2022
A South African Pedi tribe respectful greeting.
Example

Thobela(Greeting).

Tumelo Thobejane 30 October 2022
A small village based in Limpopo just outside Tzaneen. It is the only village in Limpopo that has a rich soil when it comes to farming. It is known for having all sorts of scarce fruits and vegetables.
Example

I was born and bred in Balloon village

Tumelo Thobejane 01 November 2022
Pedi is a South African language spoken by a group of people known as the Marota/Bapedi.
Example

I am a proud Pedi.

Tumelo Thobejane 01 November 2022
A figurative term used by South African students when they plan to create a WhatsApp group and share test questions.
Example

Ukhona umjondolo osuvuliwe bahlali? Phela ziyakhala k'sasa

José Sidney 01 November 2022

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