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.

Dankie is an Afrikaans term for "thank you". It is however used informally in almost all the South African languages for showing gratitude.
Example

Man 1: You left your phone in the bathroom, I left it at the reception.
Man 2: Dankie, chief.

Mr Trends 26 April 2021
Directly translates to: We are eating cotton. This is a statement said when you feel that you've dressed to impress or you dress nicely in general.
Example

"Sidl'ukotini kwedini, cava le jean kwedini" - Rick Rick

Mbali 26 April 2021
Local term for cotton.
Example

Sidl'ukotini kwedini.

Mbali 26 April 2021
An Afrikaans derogatory term that directly translates to "your mother's cunt".
See poes.
Example

Stop talking shit jou ma se poes

DRex 26 April 2021
An Afrikaans slang term for pussy or cunt. it is typically considered a foul word as it is often used to refer to or describe something with great disgust.
Example

Get out of here jou ma se poes

DRex 26 April 2021
South African slang word for "cool" or "nice"
Example

I just won a bet in Betway.

Lekker bru.

Danny 26 April 2021
This is what educated people call "knock knees". When a person is standing and his/her knees (madolo) are touching (kissing).
It can also be called a kiss kiss.
Example

He can't run because he has kiss madolo.

Danny 26 April 2021
A Zulu term for a Loan Shark, someone who offers loans at extremely high interest rates, has strict terms of collection upon failure, and generally operates outside of local authority.
Example

I need to pay the mashonisa otherwise he will keep my ID and Bank cards.

Sinazo 23 April 2021
A Xhosa term for mkhukhu, a house built from zink (metallic roof material).
Basically a shack.
Example

Cape Town is full of amatyotyombe

Sinazo 23 April 2021
A house built from metal roof material (zink) or mud. i.e informal settlement.
Example

I'm moving to Gomora, I will build myself a mkhukhu.

DRex 23 April 2021
A term referring to a large amount of something.
Example

I've got alcohol for days, fam.

Varsity Dude 23 April 2021
Whenever President Cyril Ramaphosa sets up a time to address the country about Covid.
Example

There will be another family meeting, I hope he doesn't ban alcohol again.

Mr Trends 22 April 2021

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