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.

Add a South African word

South Africa

Mnyamelis

South African Slime-Super-Slang for Meat. Derived from the Zulu word for meat being “inyama”. Popularized by the great DJ Dr Peppa.

*Note: Only used when speaking in English

Example

Broer 1: So you left it on the grass next to the braai stand boyzen??

You: You know I can’t waste food so I had to eat the Mnyamelis

Big Saint • 19 March 2023

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South Africa

Hade

South African slang-term used as a direct substitute for the words “I’m sorry”. Pronounced as Hah-deh.

Example

Big Bro: Who ate the mnyanelis I left in fridge?!

You: It was me big bro, hade.

Big Saint • 18 March 2023

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South Africa

Masandawana

A endearing term for the The best football club in Africa Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.

Example

Yoh MaSandawana game gang. They smoked Al Ahly 5-2 last week ko Atteridgeville!

Big Saint • 17 March 2023

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South Africa

Che

Give me or pass me. It is a substitute for the word skyf. Pronounced as “Chair”

Example

Che me the phone Broer, I wanna call someone to bring us Pipe.

Big Saint • 17 March 2023

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South Africa

Skyf

South African slang term for “Please give/pass me”, pronounced as Sk-ey-f.

You don’t use an article (a, an or the) after the word. You just place the subject(what you want) directly after.

Example

Please skyf pipe there. I wanna smoke quick.

Big Saint • 17 March 2023

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