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.

It's a combination of two words, Sepedi and English, by Mogau Samson Leagathoko Malepe asking someone to rephrase their statement, or tell, "I don't vibe with you" or "I don't follow".
Example

"Bra, I've been looking for you all-over, where did you dissappear to?"

MSL Malepe: "Kganthe why?(with an annoyed lookalike face)"

m.s.malepe 21 May 2021

Tut

A tut is a widely used varsity term for a tutorial.
Example

I have to leave early because I have to submit my tut.

Varsity Dude 20 May 2021
is township slang for someone who once had money, someone who was spoiled by their parents/guardians
Example

You're cheese boy ya kgale because o bona masepa nou

Matomes 20 May 2021
Beke le beke is a Basotho (Tswana, Pedi, Sotho) term for weekly or week after week.
Example

I do this beke le beke... asbonge.

Mr Trends 19 May 2021
Sembi is a Xhosa social media term that means ugly or bad.

Mbi in Xhosa means ugly when referring to a person and means bad when referring to a situation.
Example

Me posting a picture of my child:

Facebook friends: Sembi bundle of joy wakho mntkbw.

MXhosa 18 May 2021
A bundle of joy is a toddler or a small child.

The term was populirized on social media when mothers posted pictures of their children with the caption "My bundle of joy".
Example

These bundle of joys should go back to school full time. There's no peace when they are around the house all day.

MXhosa 18 May 2021
Indutsu is a Xhosa vulgar word that means butt or ass.

Also see mdidi.
Example

Ndakukhaba unye endutsu.

Utheth'indutsu.

MXhosa 18 May 2021
Having sex without a condom.
Example

I'm going in there skoon baba.

MXhosa 17 May 2021
In Zulu/Xhosa mythology, Tikoloshe, Tokoloshe, Tokolotshe, De'Avion or Hili is a dwarf-like water sprite. It is considered a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by drinking water or swallowing a stone. Tokoloshes are called upon by malevolent people to cause trouble for others.
Example

*My child misbehaves*

Me: If you don't behave, I will call the tikoloshe to beat you.

MXhosa 17 May 2021
A slang term or kasi term for BMW 325is.
Example

They were spinning that gusheshe like crazy in Gomora last night.

MXhosa 17 May 2021
Is a Xhosa term used when you don't know the name of something or the term for something. Can also be used when you don't know someone's name.
Example

1. I had that Mc nton nton burger from Mc Donald's.

2. Mr. Nton nton from school called again.

MXhosa 16 May 2021
A phrase used by someone who isn't in the mood for anything
Example

Akere you can see that I'm not in the mood? Nzame fela ke tlo bontsha Mmao

Colani 16 May 2021

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