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.

Is a slang term for money.
Example

I need amachankura.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
A slang term for money.

Can also be called amachankura.
Example

I want to go out but the problem ke chankura.

Sinazo 10 May 2021
Is a kasi term for a kiss.
Example

You can't even get a lamza from a random chick in the club anymore because of this covid.

Skhokho 10 May 2021
Is a South African term that means do what you must / do what you have to do.
Example

Guy 1: When are you paying me my money?

Guy 2: You know I don't have money.

Guy 1: If you don't give me my money now, I will moer you.

Guy 2: Dala what you must, chief.

Skhokho 10 May 2021
Taima is a slang term for dad or father.
Example

I will be chilling with taima tomorrow.

Skhokho 09 May 2021
Amabutho are Zulu regiments (military units / warriors). During wars, amabutho used to be the first line of defence to protect the land, women and children from invaders.
Singular: Ibutho
Example

The Zulu King was protected by Amabutho.

DRex 08 May 2021
The colloquial term used by us South Africans to refer to our country. It is the Zulu word for the "South" part in South Africa. The full word is Mzansi Africa.
Example

People of Mzansi will support their own.

Sinazo 08 May 2021
A Xhosa name for a traditional nurse that takes care of an initiate (umkhwetha) during initiation (circumcision).
Example

Ikhankatha plays a major role during initiation.

Sinazo 08 May 2021
A South African newspaper that publishes bullshit stories that other newspapers don't want to publish.
Example

I can tell from the bullshit you are saying that you get your news from Daily Sun.

Skhokho 07 May 2021
Bosso is a slang term for boss.

Boss is someone who spins a car asa e namela.

Boss is someone who eats Rice Crispy with Whiskey.
Example

That guy ke bosso.

DRex 07 May 2021
A Tsonga term for "his friend / her friend" that is apparently used to identify unknown soccer players by commentators.

They would call all the names of the "famous" players and when they reach the unknown player, they would say mngani wa yena (his friend).
Example

And he passes the ball to Jabu Pule... Jabu Pule passes to mngani wa yena.

DRex 05 May 2021
A plastic miner’s helmet cut, moulded and painted to make headgear worn by fans at football matches.
Example

I used to wear makarapa when I went to watch the game.

DRex 05 May 2021

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