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.

1. A Ndebele surname

2. The Nokia 3310
Example

1. UMahlangu wami ulahlekile

S.J 08 June 2021
Agang is a Tswana verb that means build
Example

In Tswana
- Agang ntlo.

In English
- Build a house.

Agang Definitions 08 June 2021
Nguni, cluster of related Bantu-speaking ethnic groups living in South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

They speak Xhosa, Zulu, Swati and Ndebele.
Example

We should unite as Nguni people and stop this tribalism.

MXhosa 07 June 2021
An imaginary day in Wendy Williams' mind
Example

Who lied to Wendy Williams about Wendy Williams Day?

S.J 07 June 2021
Money
Example

Ngifuna imali

S.J 07 June 2021
1. Chalk.

2. South African slang for 20 Rands
Example

1. UMa'am ufuna ichogo.

2. How much do you want? Nginechogo

S.J 07 June 2021
Limpopo is one of the provinces in South Africa. It was formerly called the Northern Province because it's in the northern part of South Africa.
Example

Limpopo is one of my favourite places to visit.

Marawa 06 June 2021
Masonja are Mopane worms that are mostly eaten in Limpopo.
Example

I would rather starve than to eat masonja.

Marawa 06 June 2021
Ku bird is a term that means "it's bad". Like when the situation gets really really bad. People use "bird" because it sounds the same as "bad".
Example

I only have R3.50 in my bank account. Ku bird!

Marawa 06 June 2021
A word the "Mapulane" adults use to refer to a girl.
Example

Heh Ngeku dula fase.

*You girl, Sit down*

Mc'Bird 05 June 2021
A SePitori word that usually refers to a guy that can handle difficult situations, or is brave enough to do things other people can't do.



It could also mean someone who is well respected because of his status in society.
Example

Mpho ke lepara joe, he just approached that hot girl sitting over there.

Lels 02 June 2021
Plural: Abazwayi
An informal Xhosa term that refers to umkhwetha.
Example

I have to go see abazwayi in December

MXhosa 02 June 2021

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