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.
"Bra, I've been looking for you all-over, where did you dissappear to?"
MSL Malepe: "Kganthe why?(with an annoyed lookalike face)"
I have to leave early because I have to submit my tut.
You're cheese boy ya kgale because o bona masepa nou
I do this beke le beke... asbonge.
Mbi in Xhosa means ugly when referring to a person and means bad when referring to a situation.
Me posting a picture of my child:
Facebook friends: Sembi bundle of joy wakho mntkbw.
The term was populirized on social media when mothers posted pictures of their children with the caption "My bundle of joy".
These bundle of joys should go back to school full time. There's no peace when they are around the house all day.
Ndakukhaba unye endutsu.
Utheth'indutsu.
*My child misbehaves*
Me: If you don't behave, I will call the tikoloshe to beat you.
They were spinning that gusheshe like crazy in Gomora last night.
1. I had that Mc nton nton burger from Mc Donald's.
2. Mr. Nton nton from school called again.