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 beautiful person
Example

Bona lezothi

AishArn • 01 December 2021
Ukuxhoma is a general Kasi term that means flexing or showing off.
Example

Ever since he got his RAF money, uyaxhoma now.

DRex • 21 November 2021
I don’t know
Example

Yhoo andiyazi chom

lisa • 20 November 2021
To flex or to show off
Example

Nna nkao tempela, net akerato bolela thata, ke dealer ka action.

Mr Trends • 19 November 2021
To claim you can do something, or you can do it better.
Example

Wena awitsi selo wa're tempela fela.

Mr Trends • 19 November 2021
Qhoqhoqho is a Xhosa term for the trachea (windpipe/throat).
Example

Ndizakuqhawula uqhoqhoqho.

I will slit your throat.

MXhosa • 13 November 2021
A South African Musician That wants a family that looks like Beyoncé’s & to grow old with his partner.
Example

Baby ndicela ichance ndiku bonise ngifuna umndeni wethu ufane noBeyonce. Start a generation sibe habo grams. Kido Lava On Yafinijwa

Keith • 12 November 2021
Iqaza is a Xhosa slang term for a shoe or shoes.
Example

Ndibone enye iqaza egrand eSportscene.

I saw these other nice shoes at Sportscene.

MXhosa • 05 November 2021
Iyeza is anything and everything that heals.
Example

Ina iyeza, sela iyeza.

MXhosa • 30 October 2021
Sharists are those people who spend their time on Facebook just sharing posts. They are usually single, hence all the free time to bore us with their useless posts.
Example

Ever since they dumped her, she's been a big sharist on Facebook.

DRex • 29 October 2021
In Xhosa culture, umgidi is the ceremony that's done to celebrate a boy or boys (mkhwetha) coming back from the mountain (initiation school).
Example

I can't wait to attend umgidi ka Boy

MXhosa • 23 October 2021
Refers to being good, okay or doing well/fine.
Example

- How are you? Are you okay?

- Ngimnandi

Baba Ka ThabileJr • 20 October 2021

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