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.

Also known as SOS - Is a South African rapper who the current king of South African rap. He released his diss track called Ninyile that was dissing the whole SA Hip Hop industry and all these cats have been awfully quiet ever since.
Example

Big Xhosa dissed the whole industry except Big Zulu.

Danny 02 May 2021
A Sotho term that means a white person.
Example

Ke tshwere stocko sa lekgowa.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
A slang term that means a white person.
Example

That guy is always chilling with a ngamla.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
A term that is used to refer to a very old car.
Example

Push iskorokoro.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
The 750ml or 660ml beer or cider (quart).

Can also be called Ngud (without the last u)
Example

Yabona ng'zomosha kakhulu

Ng'zoshay'iNgud

Skhokho 01 May 2021
A very offensive word that is used to refer to a foreigner.

Same as kwerekwere.
Example

Stop calling our brothers and sisters amagweja!

Bafo 01 May 2021

Res

Res is a shortened name for a University or college residence.
Example

I have applied for res because I am tired of staying at home.

Bafo 01 May 2021
Roomza / Rumza is your roommate. It is mostly used to refer to res roommate or hostel roommate.
Example

My roomza likes stealing my groceries.

Bafo 01 May 2021
In South Africa, a bakkie refers to a pick-up truck.
Example

I need to get myself a bakkie for when I go to the villages.

Skhokho 01 May 2021
The person who is making sure that the braai meat is properly done and everything goes well during a braai.
Example

The braai master for today's braai was Thabo hence the meat is not nice.

Skhokho 30 April 2021
Regardless of all facts presented before me, I reiterate that my misinformed, obscure perspective is still valid whether you like it or not.
Example

Oksalayo Kaizer Chiefs is still the best team in the country.

Varsity Dude 30 April 2021
A popular South African dance that was created by DJ Bongz. It has been performed by a lot of big stars including Rihanna and Paul Pogba.
Example

Did you see Paul Pogba doing the Gwara gwara?

Skhokho 30 April 2021

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